Unit V Lesson 1The Lawmaking Process Part I

Essential Question:• What are the institutions and

policy-making processes of the national government?

• What are the links between

the branches of the national government, political parties, interest groups, public opinion, the media, and state and local governments?

“Congress”“Congress”

Unit III

“Revenue Bills”

The Legislative Process: *Step 1: A bill is introduced in either house of Congress by its “sponsor” by placing it in the “hopper”

“Sponsor”

Hopper

Lawmaker who introduces a bill

1,000 Pages!!!

Question

1,000 Pages?!?

“Congressional Staff”

“Presidential Staff”

“Concerned Citizens”

That’s All Well And Good, But Who Do You Think Writes

MOST Congressional Bills?

Interest Groups (“Lobbyists”)- Organizations with a common cause whose primary purpose is to influence public policy by applying pressure

on 1) Lawmakers, 2) The President, and 3) Government Agencies

Ways special interest groups influence lawmakers and public policy:

*Direct “Lobbying” (Meeting with Lawmakers)

“Lobbyist”“Lobby”

*Propaganda (Political Ads)

“Obamacare”“Interest Group”

*Political Endorsements

(Campaign advertisements for candidates whose political views align with their own)

“Endorsed”

“Special Interest Group”

And the Big One…

Sen. John Cornyn R-Texas

$3.2 Million

*Political Donations

(Through PACs)

With the exception of revenue bills legislation in Congress can be introduced

by:

A. Only members of the majority party

B. Any member of Congress

C. Committee chairmen only

D. Members of the president’s staff

Which of the following statements best represents the MAIN function of interest

groups?

A. They eventually want to end up as political office holders themselves

B. They seek to promote only conservative causes

C.They provide funds for candidates attempting to run for office for the first time

D. They want to influence officeholders and achieve their legislative goals

Interest groups are likely to use all of the following tactics to influence public policy

EXCEPT:

A. Using the media and political advertisements to bring attention to the group’s cause

B. Financially supporting a political candidate who’s views align with their own through PACs

C. Directly lobbying a congressman to support a bill that benefits the group

D. Creating a new political party to challenge incumbent politicians