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Movers and Shakers. Interest Groups and the Power of “K” Street. In this lesson you will learn…. Of three powerful forces in Washington and how they shape laws and governance The things that make these forces powerful What these forces actually do. Force #1: Interest Groups. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Movers and Shakers
Interest Groups and the Power of “K” Street
In this lesson you will learn…
• Of three powerful forces in Washington and how they shape laws and governance
• The things that make these forces powerful • What these forces actually do
Force #1: Interest Groups
Interest Groups—people who share common policy interests or goals and organize to influence the government
Types of Interest Groups Economic: AFL-CIO Single issue: NRA, NAACP, NOW,
NARAL, NRLC Government: Chattanooga(?!) Foreign governments: AI, Jamaica
Force #2: Lobbyists Lobbyist—representative of an interest
group Lobbying—making direct contact with
lawmakers or other government leaders to try to influence government policy
Origin of the term—Hang out in Congress’ lobbies
Lobbyist To-Do List Schmoozing—To converse casually, especially in
order to gain an advantage or make a social connection.*
Public relations Press conferences Opinion pieces Blogging
Providing useful information Drafting Bills Providing election support
* Dictionary.com
Force #3: PACs
Political Action Committee—an organization specifically designed to collect money and provide financial support for political candidates
Purpose: The financial arm of interest groups PACs are limited by how much money they can
give to individual candidates $5000 to a candidate
“Follow the Money”Organization Amount
1. National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund
$16,821,436
2. EMILY’s List $14,746,258
3. Democratic Republican Independent Voter Education
$9,000,564
4. American Federation of State, County, & Municipal Employees
$8,557,040
5. Electrical Workers Committee on Political Education
$6,236,036
6. NEA for Children and Public Education $6,108,964
7. Association of Trial Lawyers of America $6,082,160
8. Elect Life $4,882,154
9. New Republican Majority Fund $4,692,690
10. American Medical Association $4,496,150
Top Ten PACs: Contributions to
Congressional and Presidential Candidates
During the 2000 Election Cycle
Source: Federal Election Commission, 2001
5 things that make some interest groups more powerful than others
Size Unity Leadership Information and Expertise Money