Interest groups

The phenomenon of people leaving government to take jobs in the economic sector that they regulated is called: 

• The revolving door
• The glass ceiling
• The silver lining
• The golden parachute

Paid representatives of interest groups who make direct contact with senators and representatives

• Lobbyists
• Con artist
• Salesmen
• Shady characters

Which of the following best describes an earmark?

• An entire piece of legislation that is written to provide benefits to a small group of people
• A provision in a law that provides a direct benefit to a client without being reviewed on the merits by all members of Congress
• A provision in a law that is wasteful and expensive 
• A piece of legislation containing several unrelated provisions that benefit a few states

An interest group would use grassroots lobbying on all of the following issues EXCEPT: 

• Abortion
• Medicare
• Social Security 
• Complex tax legislation affecting a few people

Of all the activities that are employed by interest groups, the most significant one is: 

• Running candidates for office
• Providing information
• Offering campaign contributions
• Grassroots mobilization 

All of the following explain the proliferation of interest groups EXCEPT: 

• America is diverse, with countless immigrants, races, and religions
• Because of its federal system, there are multiple points of access to government
• Interest groups often run candidates for office to give their supporters a voice in government
• Political authority is shared by several branches of government, each of which might be targeted by interest groups

Why are lobbyists useful to members of Congress in considering legislation?

• Because most lobbyists are lawyers and can draft bills using technical legal language

• Because lobbyists have bigger research staffs than members of Congress

• Because lobbyists are policy generalists who have knowledge about a broad range of topics

• Because members of Congress are policy generalists and lobbyists are policy specialists with expert knowledge in their area

Interest groups use political action committees (PACs) to

• Provide expertise to members of Congress when they are writing legislation

• Lobby the executive bureaucracy when they are considering new rules and regulations

• Raise and spend money on election campaigns

• Generate research that can be used to influence public opinion

Which best defines the purpose of Political Action Committees (PACs)?

• To raise and donate money to political compaigns
• Develop yard signs and other campaign materials such as doorhangers
• To influence legislators through lobbying
• To organize people into a political party and run election campaigns

Which of these describes the main purpose of an interest group?

• To influence government officials on a specific issue

• To form legislative committees that study public policy

• To regulate the economy by setting federal lending rates

• To select cases for hearing in appeals courts