5.14 Lobbying Tactics

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READING: 283-305 in Edwards

Unit Five Identification Terms

Today's Essential Question: How do interest groups influence policy making?

Learning Standards:
PMI-5.E: Explain the benefits and potential problems of interest-group influence on elections and policy making.

PMI-5.E.1: Interest groups may represent very specific or more general interests, and can educate voters and office holders, draft legislation, and mobilize membership to apply pressure on and work with legislators and government agencies.

PMI-5.E.2: In addition to working within party coalitions, interest groups exert influence through long-standing relationships with bureaucratic agencies, congressional committees, and other interest groups; such relationships are described as “iron triangles” and issue networks and they help interest groups exert influence across political party coalitions.

Lobbying Tactics

Today, we are examining how interest groups shape public policy through various lobbying tactics. 

What do the following groups have in common?

• Amateur Softball Association
• Barbeque Industry Association
• Candy Wholesalers Association
• International Assn. of Amusement Parks and Attractions
• Chocolate Manufacturers Association
• Retinitis Pigmentosa Foundation
• Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association

1. Supplying information, and even sometimes helping write legislation is a common form of lobbying. Interest groups often testify in congressional committees about the impact of proposed legislation. In addition to providing information to legislators, interest groups provide information to their members, both in the form of newsletters/magazines, and through rating/grading system of elected officials and candidates. These ratings serve as a cue for members when deciding who to vote for.

2. One way interest groups try to influence lawmakers is through direct lobbying. This involves one on one contact with legislators and is referred to as an insider strategy. Sometimes this lobbying goes too far and breaks ethical rules as evidenced by the case of Jack Abramoff. There are also complaints about the revolving door, or the frequency of former government officials moving into private lobbying firms and vice versa.

3. Other groups utilize grassroots lobbying or an outsider strategy. This involves mobilizing members to influence public opinion and put pressure on elected officials. It may include letter/phone campaigns, marches, and demonstrations.

4. Groups like the NAACP and ACLU often use litigation, or lawsuits, to achieve their policy goals. Sometimes when public opinion differs, and elected officials are reluctant to change policy or success is not obtainable through legislative or executive action, a legal remedy through the courts is the best option. Interest groups also may file amicus curiae briefs in court cases to state their position.

5. Another lobbying tactic is the use of money by interest groups or political action committees (PACs).  Billions of dollars are donated with the primary goal of access to lawmakers. Open Secrets is a great web site that illustrates the use of money in lobbying.

6. Sometimes interest groups engage in cooperative lobbying or coalition building. Multiple interest groups with disparate interests work together to achieve a common policy goal, like daylight savings time.


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