US interest Groups

Pressure Groups supporting rights legislation

NAACP BvB

ACLU OvH

AARP Medicare

Influence over legislation

Brady Institute, founded by the father of a victim to street violence and gun crime, got the Brady Act passed which had greater background checks and delays in purchasing for handguns. 1993

Pressure group failing to made federal change

Fight for $15 want to raise the NMW from $7.25 to $15. whilst they were successful in some areas e..g Striking in 2018 causing Apple nationwide to adopt this, and having backing from officials like Bernie Sanders, they havent made any federal change and wages are decided at state level. Some have higher $16 California, and some like Alabama and Texas hold it at $7.25

How pressure groups interact with all branches

Anti Gun lobbyists had limited success in the legislature/ congress, so now work on individual homicide cases etc. with the juidiciary.

Smith and Weston (gun sales) were sued because their ads appeal to criminal fraternity

Interest Groups lobbying for court action

National Right to Life Committee NRLC heavily lobbied on overturning Roe V Wade, promoting legislation for ‘legal protection of unborn children’

How does Presidential Priorities change success of groups?

2007-8, Obama said he would pass the freedom of choice act, as lobbied by NOW and other pro-choice groups for federal right to abortion, which had been introduced 4 times before. The bill granted the ability to ‘bear or terminate’ the child.

In 2009, this was not implemented, with him saying its not his ‘highest legislative priority’

Which groups lobby against lobbying

Common Cause, founded after the Watergate scandal, began campaigning for electoral reform, equality, abolition of PACs etc… (see Rucho v Common Cause). For example, they see NRA contributing money to the senate judicary committee, which has the job of reviewing gun laws, corrupt.

Woodrow Wilson quote on interest groups

‘the men really consulted are the men with the biggest stake - the big bankers, the big manufacturers’

what percentage population are in active political organisations vs in voluntary associations total

14%, with these being mainly non profits and proffesional socities. 79%

Pressure Groups in Gay Rights

ACLU and other activist groups helped stike down discrimanatory laws in Texas

Lawrence v Texas 2003, SC rule 6-3 to strike down sodomy laws in Texas, with it previously not being allowed due to no mention of sexual privacy under the 14th ammendment, but now it it was protected, and contitutional.

This was achieved through Amicus Curiae breifs.

13 states with similar laws became invalid

Congresspeople forced to defend interests of their constituency

7th district of Michigan, Representative Tom Barrett, is obliged to defend interests of ‘General Motors’. This is where their HQ is, and their large economic presence means they must be listened to. e.g. through pro-protectionist measures on imports of Japenese vehicles

Committees submitting to interest groups/ regional interest

House Agricultural Committee’s key subcommittees for cotton, rice, sugar etc. (tarriffs on imports)

How many Interest/ lobbying groups are registered in Congress?

5k officially, 10k with less priviledged access

APAC influence on Trump Policy

• Musk as head of DoGE

• Renegotiation of NAFTA to USMCA

• lower corporation tax 21-18%

• deregulation, rolling back on white collar crimes (e.g. Bribery)