!!!Pressure Groups - Lobbying

Question 1

What are Iron Triangles

Answer 1

Mutually beneficial relationships between 3 groups

Question 2

What 3 groups benefit from Iron Triangles

Answer 2

• Interest groups
• Members of Congress on congressional committees
• Government dept.

Question 3

How do iron triangles work

Answer 3

1. Interest groups donate to members of Congress
2. In truth Congress passes laws and allocates funds to the exec. branch
3. Govt. dept then uses its funding and power to cut regulations or award contracts to these powerful donors (IGs)

Question 4

Example of Iron Triangle

Answer 4

Banking companies -> Congress -> Treasury

Question 5

What are the 4 main concerns surrounding lobbying

Answer 5

Transparency
Accountability
Elitism
Corruption

Question 6

How is transparency a concern surrounding lobbying

Answer 6

Who’s lobbying and what they are lobbying for

Question 7

How is accountability a concern surrounding lobbying

Answer 7

Are constituents able to make an informed decision

Question 8

How is elitism a concern surrounding lobbying

Answer 8

Does the revolving door allow the wealthy to buy access

Question 9

How is corruption a concern surrounding lobbying

Answer 9

Is money being exchanged for votes

Question 10

How did the Lobbying Disclosure Act

Answer 10

• Defined lobbyist as someone who spends at least 20% of time lobbying
• Increased transparency - Large lobbying firms had to give info about their activities for each client paying +$5000
• Extended ‘lobbying’ to include targeting congressional staff and senior staff in exec. branch

Question 11

What website keeps track of lobbying

Answer 11

Opensecrets.org

Question 12

What is ‘the revolving door’

Answer 12

• Where former members of Congress take up well-paid jobs with Washington based lobbying firms
• Use their expertise and contacts to lobby their previous institution

Question 13

How is ‘the revolving door’ a problem

Answer 13

Undermines confidence that decisions are being made objectively and fairly

Question 14

Example of ‘the revolving door’

Answer 14

2003 - Edward C Aldridge approved fighters from Lockheed Martin for $3bn
A few months later he was approved as a board member

Question 15

Example of ‘revolving door’

Answer 15

Henry Paulson appointed sec of US treasury
2008 oversaw TARP which bailed out struggling banks
Goldman Sachs received $13bn in bailout funds
Paulson had previously been CEO of Goldman Sachs

Question 16

What was Jack Abramoff Scandal

Answer 16

Abramoff was the most influential lobbyist
Hired by many Native American tribes to lobby and promote their gaming interests
He overcharged them ($85m) and even lobbied against their interests

Question 17

How did HLOG (2007) slow the revolving door

Answer 17

1. Extended revolving door to 2 year wait after leaving the Senate
2. Maintained only year wait for House Members
3. Lobbyists had to file reports every 3 months
4. Candidates had to report donations from lobbyists in excess of $15,000 over 6 months
5. Banned all gifts from lobbyists to regulators and staff

Question 18

What are strategic advisors

Answer 18

Provide strategic advice on how clients can present their message to govt.

Question 19

Example of congressman becoming lobbyists

Answer 19

In 2013 - 50% of Senators and 42% from the House became lobbyists

Question 20

How much more valuable is it to become a lobbyist

Answer 20

1400% pay rise through lobbying