1. Chapter 18
Interest Groups and
Public Opinion

2. 18-2
Affecting Public Policy

3. Lobbyists
• Are hired by interest groups
• Are often former government officials, and
have access to friends and former associates
who are currently government officials
• Make a lot of money
• Must register with Congress and file
semiannual reports of legislation being
addressed, contacts they make and
payments by clients

4. “Revolving Door”
• “Tempted by the staggering fees that
lobbyists can command, lawmakers and
their aides are quitting in droves to cash
in on their connections. For many, public
service has become a mere internship for
a lucrative career as a hired gun for
special interests.”
» Time, March 3, 1986
• Public officials may not become lobbyists
within a year of leaving office.

5. How do Lobbyists
Serve Congress?
• Provide information about issues
• Testify at congressional committee
meetings
• Help draft legislation

6. How do Lobbyists
serve their clients?
• Meet face to faced with legislators and
present their client’s position
• Help draft favorable legislation
• Track “their” bills as they progress; testify at
committee meetings
• Keep informed of legislation that affects
their clients, and try to keep it in a favorable
form through the amendment process
• Might organize volunteers to lobby through
writing letters, making speeches, etc.
• Might meet with newspaper editorial boards

7. How do Lobbyists
“Gain Access”?
• “Wine and dine” members of Congress
• Put on parties that allow their clients and
members of Congress to “mix”
• Give campaign contributions
• Give gifts (under $50) to members of
Congress
• Pay for travel: “fact finding” trips to warm
resorts in winter & cities around the world.

8. Political Action
Committees (PAC’s)
• PAC’s are the money collecting arm of
interest groups.
• Since large contributions from individuals
are prohibited, PAC’s are a method to
collect lots of small contributions
• Since contributions from businesses and
labor unions are banned, PAC’s are a way
that their employees and members may
contribute
• PAC’s must raise money from at least 50
individuals
• PAC’s must contribute money to at least
five candidates

9. Types of PAC’s
• Affiliated PAC’s are formed by
businesses or labor unions, and
collect voluntary contributions from
employees or members
• Non-affiliated PAC’s are formed by
issue interest groups, and raise
contributions through direct mail
campaigns

10. Why do PAC’s give
money to candidates?
• To help candidates favorable to
their cause get elected
• To “buy access” to government
officials

11. 18-3
Shaping Public Opinion

12. 18-3
Shaping Public Opinion
• Since large contributions are prohibited,
PAC’s are a method to collect lots of
small contributions.