Evaluate the extent to which interest groups have significant influence in the US Executive, Congress and Judiciary.

Question 1

Introduction - Themes

Answer 1

• Executive
• Congress
• Judiciary

Question 2

Introduction - Arguments

Answer 2

Interest groups are able to have massive influence in both Congress and the Judiciary, however, due to the President’s unilateral capabilities, they are not have to significantly influence the Executive

Question 3

Influential - Executive - Point

Answer 3

Some interest groups have been able to gain access to the executive and have significant influence over presidential decisions

Question 4

Influential - Executive - Examples

Answer 4

• In the run up to the 2022 midterms, Biden used his executive ‘power of the pardon’ to pardon those federally convicted of marijuana use. NOML, a pro-marijuana gorup, helped to achieve this pardon
• The Human Rights Campaign is the largest LGBTQ+ interest group in America and in 2022 Biden proposed and was able to pass The Respect for Marriage Act which federally protected gay marriage

Question 5

Not Influential - Executive - Point

Answer 5

It is more likely that Biden pardonedd those convicted of marijuana posession as an electoral tactic rather than NOML, on that note, it is exceptionally difficult for interest groups to influence the executive

Question 6

Not Influential - Executive - Examples

Answer 6

• The AIPAC, an interest group representing pro-Israel opinions, resisted the Iran Nuclear Deal that Obama passed as an executive agreement
• Trump decided to take the USA out of the Transpacific Partnership which created more trade links for the country - this was against the will of the US Chamber of Commerce who are a massively influential business interest group

Question 7

Not Influential - Congress - Point

Answer 7

In the delegate model of representation, Congress should be drive principally bt their Constituents wishes meaning that interest groups could have little influence

Question 8

Not Influential - Congress - Examples

Answer 8

• Joe Manchin voted against the Build Back Better Bill which included provisions to move to more sustainable energy. In his state - West Virginia - mining coal is important, as a result he voted against it
• In June 2022, Biden passed the Bipartisan Safe Communities Act in light of the Uvalde Elementary school shooting, this was against the will of the pro-gun interest groups such as the National Rifle Association

Question 9

Influential - Congress - Point

Answer 9

It would be incorrect to assume that Congressmen are not influenced by interest groups. The ‘coin operated’ nature of the US democract means interest groups have significant influence

Question 10

Influential - Congress - Examples

Answer 10

• Joe Manchin may have been swayed by the miners in his constituency, however, his campaign finance was also funded by large oil and coal companies - these would have also influenced him voting against it
• In 2011, the US Chamber of Commerce were able to influence Congressmen into declaring pizza a vegetable after they were trying to pass legislation for healthier school meals

Question 11

Not Influential - Judiciary - Point

Answer 11

There are a number of interest groups which take issues to the Supreme Court but are unsuccessful as the SC does not rule in their favour, this curbs their influence over the judiciary

Question 12

Not Influential - Judiciary - Examples

Answer 12

• In June 2022, the Supreme Court voted to overturn Roe v Wade, since 13 states have banned a women’s right to abortion, this was directly against Planned Parenthood, the major pro-choice group
• The American Civil Liberties Union took Trump’s Muslim ban to the Supreme Court, however, the court ruled in favour of Trump arguing that there was nothing in the Constitution that prevented him from enforcing the ban

Question 13

Influential - Judiciary - Point

Answer 13

The Supreme Court has become far more politicised meaning they will side with the interest groups which supports thier political ideology. Also, there are a number of interest groups which have been incredibly successful

Question 14

Influential - Judiciary - Examples

Answer 14

• Planned Parenthood may have failed in the Dobbs v Jackson Case, however, the National Right to Life were successful in promoting their pro-life views
• The freedom of speech has been protected in the Snyder v Phelps Case advocated for by the Americans Civil Liberties Union and the case of Citizens United v The FEC in 2010