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