Lobbying

a lot of interest groups

another word for interest groups

old term for interest groups

interest in government

collection of people who share a common interest or attitude and seek to influence government for specific ends

resolving in court

try to change government not just influence it, want action, can get out of hand

try to influence government

people trying to influence government

hires someone to lobby for them

interest groups

k street

corrupt lobbying practices; 104th Congress; Republicans pressure Washington lobbying firms to hire Republicans instead of Democrats

if I do this, you do this; something for something; lobbying is not a bribe but close to being one

engaging in activities aimed at influencing public officials, especially legislators, and the policies they enact

any action taken in support of a lobbying contrat

any oral or written communication to a covered legislative or executive branch official

members of Congress and all legislative staff and cabinet secretaries, executive branch political appointees, and other high level executive branch officials

members of Congress and legislative staff; cabinet secretaries, exec. branch political appointees and other high level exec branch officials; not administrative staff

employees who make more than one "lobbying contract" and spend at least 20% of their total time lobbying on behalf of the organization

(1) lobbyists have to be registered;(2) must say what he is lobbying and how much he is spending on the lobbying; (3) must say who you are lobbying for and what they are lobbying for; (4) every 6 months must issue report on lobbying activities (foreign entity can lobby Congress)

14,811; 11,950

Secretary of the Senate and Clerk of the House

creation of laws (legislation); bureaucracy (administration); nomination or confirmation of any person who requires Senate confirmation

sub-government; mutually helpful relationships

only involve interest groups

retire; legislation affecting tobacco farmers and other members of the industry

campaign contributions and support; info about industry

info about the industry; support for agency's budget request

subcommittees; power of the purse and power to create and delete agencies

rulings on tobacco production and prices

approval of higher budget requests

information; help with constituents' complaints

more money; budgetary requests

economic, labor, ideological/single interest, public, foreign policy, public sector

chamber of commerce (protects business); NAM (National Association of Manufacturers)

unions; UAW (auto); also have professional interest groups (white collar): AMA (American Medical Association); ABA (American Bar Association); AFT (teachers' union)

NRA (National Riffle Association); NOW; NAACP; ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union; protects people being discriminated); AARP

speaks for the people; Common Cause; National Cancer Association

AIPAC (American Israeli Political Action Committee)

nongovernmental organization; act like a government but not one; very important organization; advocates and pursues policy objectives; Green Peace (protect environment); Amnesty International (represent political prisoners around the world); Humane Society

people who work for government; National Governors Association; National League of Cities; NEA (National Education Association)

IRS

nonprofit therefore tax exempt

tax exempt and tax deductible (if you get nothing back from your gift, you can get your money deducted from your taxes); charities, foundations, religion, education; limited amount of lobbying, lobbying cannot consume most of your time (no more than 10%); can only encourage people to vote but not urge people to vote for a certain thing; have to be very careful with what they do with campaigns; can create a 501c4

tax exempt but not tax deductible; most organizations, nonprofit to further the public good and welfare: social welfare organizations, must show that you are doing that; unlimited lobbying but could result in loss of federal funds; may do express advocacy for their own interest

$3.3 billion

chamber of commerce; $488 million over 10 years

Health and Finance, Insurance, and Real estate; $7.2 billion

pharmaceuticals

House (12,312); Senate (12,163); DOD (1,534); HHS (1,041)

incumbents $239 million; open seats $41 million; challengers $20 million

Labor almost only gives to Democrats; Business supported Democrats more than Republicans except bankers (want to lobby the people in power)

whoever is in power

McCain (Republican; from health lobby raised $900,000) and McConnell (Republican; new Senate Majority Leader; from health lobby raised $500,000)

K Street Republican

gave a lot of money to republicans

size is important to political power; some people just join to secure group insurance; many gov programs involve services that benefit everyone; spread (extent to which membership is concentrated or dispersed) is very important; resources include money, volunteers, expertise, and reputation

made up of 3 types of members: 1. small # of formal leaders who may hold full-time, paid positions or devote much time, effort, and money; 2. few hundred intensely involved who identify with its aims, attend meetings, pay dues, and do legwork; 3. thousands of members in name only and cannot be depended on to vote in elections or act as the leadership wants

in a group that embraces many attitudes and interests, leaders may either weld the various elements together or sharpen their disunity; find some famous person to advocate interest group

public and mass media appeals; mass mailing; influence on rule making (have access to executive and regulatory agencies that write rules implementing laws passed by Congress); litigation (turn to courts); protest; election activities; forming a political party; cooperative lobbying

advocacy is directed at the general public to influence policy decisions; not covered by the Act; not regulated

employment cycle in which individuals who work for gov agencies that regulate interests eventually end up working for interest groups or businesses with the same policy concern

Secretary of Senate and Clerk of the House; filed semi-annually

further the public good and welfare