PGs are more powerful than political parties
Money + membership
Elitism where groups can buy influence
NRA spend $16.3 million 2020 presidential race
$4.3m supporting Trump, $12.2m opposing Biden
Membership
AARP = 40million retired
US Chamber of Commerce spent $82 million in 2022
Political parties make the decisions
Civil Rights Movement needed Dems to pass Civil Right + Voting Rights Acts
PGs ignored by parties
Pro-gun control ‘Million Mom March’ 2000 unsuccessful
Iron triangle / revolving door
60% 113th Congress found lobbying jobs
29% House Reps, 26% House Dems; 38% Senate Reps, 25% Senate Dems
Big Ag spent $480 million in 20 yrs to create iron triangles
Stopping revolving door
The Honest Leadership & Open Government Act 2007 –
from 1 yr to 2 yr wait & prohibited gifts
Ending the K Street Project – stops hiring decisions of private organisations on sole basis
of partisan political gain – 15 yrs prison
Lobbyists right bills
Citigroup’s recommendations reflected in more than 70 lines of 85 line bill – helped them get
bailout after 2008
Lobbyists for chemical industry watered down toxic waster bills 2015
Votes with party not PGs
2021: party unity votes
93% House R
98% Hoyse D
84% Senate R
97% Senate D (highest in history)
Money + membership
Elitism where groups can buy influence
NRA spend $16.3 million 2020 presidential race
$4.3m supporting Trump, $12.2m opposing Biden
Membership
AARP = 40million retired
US Chamber of Commerce spent $82 million in 2022
Political parties make the decisions
Civil Rights Movement needed Dems to pass Civil Right + Voting Rights Acts
PGs ignored by parties
Pro-gun control ‘Million Mom March’ 2000 unsuccessful
Iron triangle / revolving door
60% 113th Congress found lobbying jobs
29% House Reps, 26% House Dems; 38% Senate Reps, 25% Senate Dems
Big Ag spent $480 million in 20 yrs to create iron triangles
Stopping revolving door
The Honest Leadership & Open Government Act 2007 –
from 1 yr to 2 yr wait & prohibited gifts
Ending the K Street Project – stops hiring decisions of private organisations on sole basis
of partisan political gain – 15 yrs prison
Lobbyists right bills
Citigroup’s recommendations reflected in more than 70 lines of 85 line bill – helped them get
bailout after 2008
Lobbyists for chemical industry watered down toxic waster bills 2015
Votes with party not PGs
2021: party unity votes
93% House R
98% Hoyse D
84% Senate R
97% Senate D (highest in history)
