Effect of pressure groups on political parties
Economy – extremists successful
Tax Cuts & Jobs Act
o $2.3bn over 10 years to deficit
o Corporate tax rate from 39% to 21% flat rate
Roll back of Dodd Frank
o Supported by 13 Dem Senators – Blue Dog
o Joe Manchin $300,000 after voting against BBB
CARES Act passed 419-6, 96-0
Blue Dogs suffered heavy defeats in 2010 midterms
Despite $2.6 million raised 2022 cycle, limited impact on policy (Inflation Reduction Act)
– Tax Policy Center predicts it will raise taxes on everyone
Healthcare – moderates successful
PPACA passed – more than $1.1bn spent by lobbyists trying to change the bill, but it still
passed
Trump’s American Healthcare Plan didn’t pass – despite receiving $1m cheque from Pfizer
after election.
o Also blocked by centrist Tuesday Group
Trump undermined PPACA
o Enrolment cut 12 weeks to 6
o 90% advertising budget cut
o Organisations providing information funding cut 40%
o Average price pharmaceuticals inc 96%
Social issues – extremists successful
NRA spent $16m 2020
o $4m supporting Trump
o Trump removed restrictions on 75,000 mentally ill owning guns
Mitt Romney $13.6m from NRA
o New gun laws would “burden current gun owners”
Warren’s wish to repeal the filibuster (for gun bills) not happened
Christian wish to ban abortion not happened
Liberal wish to completely allow abortions not happened
o NARAL spent $1.1m 2020
Economy – extremists successful
Tax Cuts & Jobs Act
o $2.3bn over 10 years to deficit
o Corporate tax rate from 39% to 21% flat rate
Roll back of Dodd Frank
o Supported by 13 Dem Senators – Blue Dog
o Joe Manchin $300,000 after voting against BBB
CARES Act passed 419-6, 96-0
Blue Dogs suffered heavy defeats in 2010 midterms
Despite $2.6 million raised 2022 cycle, limited impact on policy (Inflation Reduction Act)
– Tax Policy Center predicts it will raise taxes on everyone
Healthcare – moderates successful
PPACA passed – more than $1.1bn spent by lobbyists trying to change the bill, but it still
passed
Trump’s American Healthcare Plan didn’t pass – despite receiving $1m cheque from Pfizer
after election.
o Also blocked by centrist Tuesday Group
Trump undermined PPACA
o Enrolment cut 12 weeks to 6
o 90% advertising budget cut
o Organisations providing information funding cut 40%
o Average price pharmaceuticals inc 96%
Social issues – extremists successful
NRA spent $16m 2020
o $4m supporting Trump
o Trump removed restrictions on 75,000 mentally ill owning guns
Mitt Romney $13.6m from NRA
o New gun laws would “burden current gun owners”
Warren’s wish to repeal the filibuster (for gun bills) not happened
Christian wish to ban abortion not happened
Liberal wish to completely allow abortions not happened
o NARAL spent $1.1m 2020
