5.6+5.7 AP Government Interest Groups (PACs, 527s)

interest groups

organizations dedicated to a specific political goal or unified goals

interest group actions

educate voters, lobby on an issue, draft legislation, contribute to campaigns

lobbying

interest groups influence legislatures

economic interest groups

economic groups formed to promote and protect economic interests; large, highly influential, well funded, represent/employ constituents

public interest groups

nonprofit organizations organized around a well-defined set of policy issues. Some are single-issue groups, which are large and influential

government interest groups

organizations acting on behalf of local, state, or foreign governments

direct lobbying

interest groups meet privately with government officials to present legislation and arguments

Testifying before Congress

Interest groups provide expert witnesses at committee hearings

socializing

interest groups hold functions and member attend other functions to meet and forge relationships

political donations

interest groups provide financial support for candidates sympathetic to their cause, often forming PACs

endorsments

by endorsing a candidate, interests groups provide candidates extra support

court action

interest groups file lawsuits or class action suits to protect their interests, as well as submitting amicus curiae briefs

grassroot campaigning

Directly contacting potential supporters face-to-face or by phone or social media

limits on lobbying pushback

first amendment rights to free speech

influence peddling

using personal friendships and inside information to get political advantage

solutions to influence peddling in Congress

House members must wait one year and senators 2 years before lobbying Congress directly

revolving door

cycle that pushes former federal employees into jobs as lobbyists or consultants

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission

corporations have 1st amendment right to support political candidates

Federal Election Campaign Act

allowed corporations, unions, and trade associations to form political action committees as a means of raising campaign funds

Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act

Largely banned party soft money, restored a long-standing prohibition on corporations and labor unions for using general treasury funds for electoral purposes, and narrowed the definition of issue advocacy.

Two acts that limit political donations

Federal Election Campaign Act (1974) and Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (2002)

hard money

tightly regulated contributions to candidates

soft money

unregulated, unlimited contributes to political parties

527 groups

a tax exempt organization that promotes a political agenda but can't advocate for or against a candidate

527 groups and FEC

527 groups are not regulated by the FEC according to the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA)