Interest groups Flashcards
(21 cards)
‘Pressure groups are now more important in parties in US politics’
Yes- influencing legislation
No-influencing legislation
Yes-checks and balances
No-checks and balances
‘Influencing congress is the most successful route for pressure groups in the US’ HFDYA?
-Congress yes/no
-President yes/no
-SC yes/no
Key reasons for targeting congress?
-Allocate funds
-Pass/ block legislation
How do ratings affect congress?
ACU ratings influence how GOP vote; many wear their ACU ratings as badges- want to comply.
Similarly EMILY’s List rankings on women’s issues.
Evidence that pressure groups are able to influence congress members?
AIPAC funding for moderates meant 2 members of the ‘squad’ were defeated in their primary races.
Evidence of pressure group funding impacting the ideology of congress?
US Chamber of Commerce spent $82 million on contributions to candidates in 2020 election; explains staunch pro-business stance.
Evidence of congress supporting policies advocated for by pressure groups?
AARP 30+ million members; congress support for pensions.
How does pressure groups receiving pledges influence congress?
American Tax Payer’s union- small group with big influence by making politicians promise not to raise tax
Evidence of pressure groups’ ability to influence the Courts?
Federalist society; powerful as it knows that its list of judges is depended on for SC picks- essentially has power over who gets selected to the SC.
Evidence of pressure groups’ ability to influence the president?
Federalist Society: Trump only nominated judges from the Federal Society’s list to the Supreme Court.
Evidence of targeting congress being ineffective?
Individual members have limited power; account for less than 1% in the house and 1% in the senate.
Why does the nature of the senate make it futile to target?
Often divided government; gridlocked, unproductive.
Examples of pressure groups targeting the judiciary: cases?
Citizens united v FEC
Which pressure groups frequently get involved in court cases?
ACLU- fund cases like Hamdi v Rumsfeld, Reno v ALCU
What limits the idea of targeting the SC being the most successful route for pressure groups?
Limited; decisions must be rooted in constitution- scope limited; can bring decisions to SC and be unsuccessful
Evidence of pressure groups failing in SC cases?
JWHO in Dobbs vs Jackson; repercussions of failure arguably more damaging than the case itself.
Reasons for targeting the executive?
-Veto
-Influence
-Appointments
-Executive orders.
Evidence of pressure groups creating transparency around executive?
Open Secrets details all presidential donations.
How much did interest groups spend on Trump in 2020?
Estimated $13 million
Evidence of interest groups support for Trump?
SpaceX.
Evidence of Trump going against pressure group interests?
Musk critiqued his planned bill on tax cuts and spending.
