!!!Pressure Groups - Lobbying Flashcards
What are Iron Triangles
Mutually beneficial relationships between 3 groups
What 3 groups benefit from Iron Triangles
- Interest groups
- Members of Congress on congressional committees
- Government dept.
How do iron triangles work
- Interest groups donate to members of Congress
- In truth Congress passes laws and allocates funds to the exec. branch
- Govt. dept then uses its funding and power to cut regulations or award contracts to these powerful donors (IGs)
Example of Iron Triangle
Banking companies -> Congress -> Treasury
What are the 4 main concerns surrounding lobbying
Transparency
Accountability
Elitism
Corruption
How is transparency a concern surrounding lobbying
Who’s lobbying and what they are lobbying for
How is accountability a concern surrounding lobbying
Are constituents able to make an informed decision
How is elitism a concern surrounding lobbying
Does the revolving door allow the wealthy to buy access
How is corruption a concern surrounding lobbying
Is money being exchanged for votes
How did the Lobbying Disclosure Act
- Defined lobbyist as someone who spends at least 20% of time lobbying
- Increased transparency - Large lobbying firms had to give info about their activities for each client paying +$5000
- Extended ‘lobbying’ to include targeting congressional staff and senior staff in exec. branch
What website keeps track of lobbying
Opensecrets.org
What is ‘the revolving door’
- Where former members of Congress take up well-paid jobs with Washington based lobbying firms
- Use their expertise and contacts to lobby their previous institution
How is ‘the revolving door’ a problem
Undermines confidence that decisions are being made objectively and fairly
Example of ‘the revolving door’
2003 - Edward C Aldridge approved fighters from Lockheed Martin for $3bn
A few months later he was approved as a board member
Example of ‘revolving door’
Henry Paulson appointed sec of US treasury
2008 oversaw TARP which bailed out struggling banks
Goldman Sachs received $13bn in bailout funds
Paulson had previously been CEO of Goldman Sachs
What was Jack Abramoff Scandal
Abramoff was the most influential lobbyist
Hired by many Native American tribes to lobby and promote their gaming interests
He overcharged them ($85m) and even lobbied against their interests
How did HLOG (2007) slow the revolving door
- Extended revolving door to 2 year wait after leaving the Senate
- Maintained only year wait for House Members
- Lobbyists had to file reports every 3 months
- Candidates had to report donations from lobbyists in excess of $15,000 over 6 months
- Banned all gifts from lobbyists to regulators and staff
What are strategic advisors
Provide strategic advice on how clients can present their message to govt.
Example of congressman becoming lobbyists
In 2013 - 50% of Senators and 42% from the House became lobbyists
How much more valuable is it to become a lobbyist
1400% pay rise through lobbying
