Professional Documents
Culture Documents
I. Lobbying
A. Try to get members of Congress to vote for what they want. 1. Write letters to members of Congress. 2. Call the members of Congress. 3. Socialize, go to conventions. B. Lobbyists represent interest groups in both public and private sectors. 1. States hire intergovernmental lobbyists to ask for money. 2. Private corporations hire lobbyists to represent them. 3. Lobby saying to not let this happen.
II.
Electioneering
A. Help the members of Congress (incumbent or challengers) get elected because they support their position. 1. Raise money for them. 2. Advertise for them. 3. Campaign for them.
III.
Litigation
A. The process of suing (representing somebody in court). B. Interest groups look for someone that has been hurt by a law, regulation, company, etc., and represent them in court (sometimes for free) in order to promote/benefit their cause. C. Apply Amicus Curiae (friend of the court): They will support a side of a case by filing a brief with the court supporting one side with evidence, facts, etc. D. Use Public Interest Law Firms (organizations that takes legal action to promote their cause). E. Class Action Lawsuits: Take legal action representing many people that used the same product or went somewhere that were hurt by that, to promote their cause.
IV.
Ratings Game
A. Interest groups grade members of Congress based on how friendly the congressperson has been to the interest group (ex. 0-90% of favorable representation).
V.
VI.
Testify in Congress
A. Testify in standing and conference committees.
1. Describe three tactics used by interest groups that help them influence legislation.
A. B. C. They use the numbers of the people that they have. They use them to demonstrate, protest, etc. Money. The law on their side (ex. Civil Rights).