Deck 13: Congress and Organized Interests

Question 1

Which of the following forms of influence peddling is subject to disclosure?

A) direct lobbying
B) grassroots organizing
C) funding think tanks
D) funding nonprofit groups

Answer 1

A

Question 2

According to Olson's free rider analysis, which of the following groups would find it easiest to overcome the free rider problem and organize effectively?

A) an advocacy organization hoping to help single mothers living in poverty
B) the owners of major oil companies
C) parents concerned about the nutritional content of school lunches
D) environmentalists

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Which of the following is an example of "reverse lobbying?"

A) The NRA makes the uncharacteristic choice to support a restriction on firearms.
B) Despite spending less money than their opponents, an environmental lobby succeeds in getting an antilogging bill passed.
C) Congressional Democrats lobby the AARP and win their support for the Affordable Care Act.
D) A lobbying group puts pressure on a Senator based on constituency factors.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

All of the following are types of lobbying EXCEPT ______.

A) direct lobbying
B) electronic advocacy
C) grassroots mobilization
D) penny lobbying

Question 5

Which of the following is an example of coalition lobbying?

A) Environmental and public health groups work together on a bill concerning greenhouse gases.
B) A lobbyist chats with a Senator about a new antigun bill while hosting a campaign fundraiser.
C) A former Senator lobbies a current Senator about a bill that would limit campaign finance regulations.
D) A lobbyist specializes in social media campaigns targeted at members.

Question 6

Which of the following is an example of grassroots lobbying?

A) A lobbyist meets a House member for a golfing game, where they discuss energy policy.
B) Planned parenthood encourages its members to e-mail their Senator about an upcoming vote.
C) An NRA lobbyist provides a Senator with valuable fundraising advice.
D) A lobbyist for an environmental group provides a House member with expert information on the details of a planned dam.

Question 7

Which of the following members of Congress would a PAC be most likely to donate to?

A) a staunch opponent
B) A swing voter who has not yet made up his or her mind.
C) a strong supporter
D) A new member who has few existing ties.

Question 8

Which of the following would a lobbyist be likely to provide under the "legislative subsidy" theory?

A) donating to an opponent to convince them to change their vote on a bill
B) sending detailed legislative text to an undecided member in order to convince them to introduce a bill
C) providing voters with stamped envelopes to send letters to their member of Congress
D) providing a supporter with political advice that helps them rally support for a bill

Question 9

What do lobbyists believe is the most effective way to influence lawmakers?

A) providing good information and analysis
B) donating money
C) grassroots lobbying
D) hosting social events

Question 10

Which of the following was the main objective of the 1946 Lobbying Law?

A) prohibiting abusive lobbying practices
B) public disclosure of lobbying activities
C) limiting campaign contributions
D) placing time limits on certain lobbying practices

Question 11

Lobbying expenditures rise dramatically every year.

Question 12

According to Olson's free rider theory, the pressure group system will be tilted toward narrow economic interests and will underrepresent broad public interests.

Question 13

Most legislators rely heavily on lobbyists for information.

Question 14

It is always illegal for interest groups to donate money to congressional campaigns.

Question 15

Contributions are more likely to buy access than votes.

Question 16

PACs tend to donate the most money to members who are undecided on an issue.

Question 17

"Bundling" is the process of combining many votes into a single report card for each member.

Question 18

Iron triangles remain influential in various policy domains today.

Question 19

Foreign governments are prohibited from making campaign contributions, but they can lobby members of Congress.

Question 20

The form of lobbying known as "electronic advocacy" was prohibited by the 2007 Honest Leadership and Open Government Act.

Question 21

The 1995 Lobby Disclosure Act put into place strong, effective regulations that decreased the number of lobbyists in DC.

Question 22

Lobbyists can be checked by lawmakers' own expertise.

Question 23

What is a legislative subsidy?

Question 24

What is bundling?

Question 25

Why is American pluralism said to have a "dual nature?"

Question 26

What are the three components of a "subgovernment" and how has the influence of subgovernments changed over time?

Question 27

What factors led to the passage of the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007?

Question 28

How were different types of lobbying involved in the passage of the Affordable Care Act?

Question 29

Why does political science research tend to reject the idea that campaign donations are a form of vote buying?

Question 30

Madison famously wrote that "Liberty is to faction what air is to fire." What did Madison mean by this statement?

Question 31

Why do interest groups score members of Congress on certain votes?

Question 32

What factors account for the proliferation of interest groups?

Question 33

What are the three major ways that interest groups are involved in congressional elections?

Question 34

What is member-to-member lobbying and why is it particularly effective?

Question 35

What is the free rider problem in the context of interest group organizing? For which types of groups is it a major problem in organizing, and for which groups is it a more minor problem?

Question 36

What is grassroots lobbying, and how does it differ from direct lobbying?

Question 37

What is the difference between Astroturf, grassroots, and grass tops lobbying?

Question 38

What are the five main methods used by lobbying groups? Which do you think is most effective in the modern era?

Question 39

How much influence does organized influence wield over congressional legislation? Is this influence excessive? If so, what specific change(s) do you believe should be made to the system.

Question 40

What are the three main approaches Congress has taken to regulating lobbyists? Give a specific example of each. Which of these approaches seems to be the most effective?