ETVT the most importnat route for interst groups is through congress (30) Flashcards
They can lobby congress
Interest groups play a role influencing the house and senate of the US congress, they can do this through endorsing candidates, and lobbying committees and members of congress.
The Chamber of Commerce and Financial Service Roundtable, both leading intense lobbying projects in order to soften regulations part of Dodd Frank Act 2010, this was succesful.
The Chamber of Commerce and Financial Service Roundtable, two interest groups, helped to soften the banking regulations of the Dodd Frank Bill, by submitting passages of text to members of congress which were designed to weaken the bill, and by spending huge amounts of money on a lobbying operation aimed at protecting banking and commercial interests over consumer interests.
Senate judiciary committee held a hearing in 2016 protecting older Americans from financial exploitation and fraud, the hearing included two panel of speakers included members from American associations for retired persons, IOWA.
The Susan B. Anthony list is a single issue group that advocates for pro-life in the US, they strongly supported the senates appointment in 2020 of ACB to the Supreme court, they carried out extensive lobbying after her nomination, in the senate, she was ratified in the senate as a result.
Lobbying of congress is often ineffective
Influence in congress depends on whether the controlling party has the support of the particular issue.
However, now under Biden, it is likely that their influence will be greatly reduced, since his appointment of Janet Yellen as Secretary to Treasury in his cabinet, as she is known for helping to steer the economic recovery of 2008. Furthermore, the Republicans no longer have as large a majority in the House, and they don’t have a majority in the Senate.
For example NARAL will have little success when the republicans control both houses of congress and may struggle to influence legislation – this is because their pro-choice policy contradicts most congressmen.
They can influence the courts
A amicus brief is a legal document that is supplied to a court of law containing information and advice relating to a case from a interest group that isnt directly involved in the case – This means that Interest groups can help influence the outcome of these elections.
ACLU - In 2009, the ACLU filed an Amicus brief in Citizens united v FEC, arguing that the BCRA 2002 violated the first amendment right to political speech – this was ultimately the SC’s ruling.
The main way in which the ACLU is impactful, is through representing clients with rights claims .
NRA – 47 interest groups including the NRA filed Amicus Briefs supporting Heller, which was ultimately a successful case for the NRA and these interest groups
The landmark decision in Brown v Board 1954 was effectively brought by the black civil rights interest group NAACP.
The National federation of independent business brought the legal challenge to president Obamas healthcare reform, partly successful as the medicade expansion provision was removed.
Influence through the courts is often limited
The court is a neutral body that makes decisions of the text in the consititution.
Roberts Senate Judiciary hearing for example he remarked ‘Judges are like umpires, we do not make the rules, we apply them’.
Amicus Briefs can persuade the courts on the constitutionality of the decision but ultimately often they will make decisions that don’t advance their aims. For example, NFIB v Sebelius, the individual mandate stood.
In 2022 Jacksons Womens health organisation attempted to sue the Mississippi state department of health and protect abortion rights in the US – the supreme court ruled against them.
Influencing election outcomes
Justice Democrats and Koch brothers, using examples from above.
Impact of Citizens United v FEC, enabling independent expenditures to contribute towards political campaigns – now unlimited for Supre PACs
NRA – in 2016, they donated $54m to political campaigns, with the majority of the money going to Trump’s campaign
2018: In a room full of lawmakers Trump declared “You’re scared of the NRA.” During the televised meeting, the president called for a “powerful” bill on background checks to address mental illness.
Feb. 26, 2019: Nearly a year later, and two days before the House passed sweeping gun legislation that would require universal background checks for most gun purchases or transfers, Trump threatened a presidential veto on the legislation if it passed Congress.
They cant influence election outcomes
In congressional elections McCain-Feingold act 2022 means that direct contirbutions were limited to just $2,300 each.
See other essays – can they influence election outcomes.
