Methods of Interest Groups

The Work of Lobbyists
• Lobbying: direct contact by approaching senators and representatives in the lobby of the capitol.
• Lobbyists: the members of the group that do this.

Who are Lobbyists?
• “Political persuader”
o To influence the people who are in control of the government.
o Must know which officials have the most influence on decisions made and must understand the government in order to be successful.
o Must know the desires and problems of the groups they represent.

Providing Helpful Info
• Persuade Congress members with pamphlets, reports, and statistics.
• Try to meet personally with Congress members
• Testify before Congressional committees
Drafting Support
A. Help in writing bills
B. Help Congress members draft proposed laws
a. Interest groups and their lobbyists draft parts of or the entire bill for nearly 50% of legislation.
Providing Election Support
• Raise most of the money used in political campaigns. The purpose of this is to get the legislators who favor their policy goals elected so they can have a chance to get passed into law.
Court Action
• Go to the courts to gain their policy goals

Winning Public Support
1. Media Campaigns-television, newspapers, magazines, and radio. Inform the public and get support for their views.
2. Letter Writing- Interest groups urge members to write to Gov’t officials.

Regulation of Interest Groups- Are Interest Groups Too Powerful?
• Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act was passed by Congress in 1946.
o Lobbyists must register with the Clerk of the House and the Secretary of the Senate.
o Identify employer, salaries and expenses, and file expense reports quarterly.

Other Limitations
• Interest Groups are financially and politically powerful.
• Have a strong influence on legislation.
o Size if group
o Diversity