William_T._Bianco,_David_T._Canon]_American_Polit

How it works: in theory

Lobbying the Federal Government:

Inside and Outside Strategies

Throughout negotiations between

Iran and the United States and its allies

over limiting Iran’s nuclear research

program, the American Israel Public

Affairs Committee (AIPAC)—an

influential pro-Israel interest group—

strongly opposed the deal. AIPAC

engaged in a diverse set of lobbying

activities with the goal of persuading

members of Congress to disapprove

the deal before a crucial deadline

passed and the deal was enacted.

How it works: in practice

AIPAC and the

Iran Nuclear Deal

meeting with

lawmakers

drafting legislation

providing research

and testimony

taking the

government to court

contributing to

election campaigns

getting media

coverage

of their cause

Examples: Examples:

grassroots e-mail,

letter, or phone

campaigns

Inside strategies

Outside strategies

1. Despite its lobbying efforts,
   AI PAC ’s side initially did not
   prevail in this situation. It wasn’t
   until they had a more sympathetic
   ear in the White House that the
   policy was changed. If you were
   advising them, what strategy
   would you suggest they spend
   time on: inside or outside? Why?


2. Suppose you are the head of
   AI PAC. How could you use the
   Iran agreement to illustrate
   AIPAC’s power and influence in
   Washington, despite the fact
   that the group’s position did
   not prevail in Congress? Given
   the ultimate outcome, would
   you change how your group
   allocates its time and resources?

Critical Thinking

Outside Strategies

Groups use public pressure,

elections, and the media

to influence government.

Inside Strategies

Groups lobby government officials

directly in Washington, D.C.

And they’re

off!

Do we have

a deal?

Gathering

forces.

July 14, 2015

The United States and

its negotiation partners

announce details of their

nuclear agreement

with Iran.

July 2015

AIPAC organizes a

series of speeches and

town hall meetings in

congressional districts

and states of undecided

legislators.

July 15, 2015

AIPAC announces

its opposition to the

Iran deal and forms a

new advocacy group

to lobby against the

agreement.

Funding trips.

Making

introductions. Running ads.

August 2015

AIPAC spends over

$20 million running

television ads opposing

the deal in 23 states.

July 28–29, 2015

AIPAC arranges a

“Washington fly-in”—

a series of meetings

between lawmakers

and hundreds of

constituents who are

opposed to the deal.

August 2015

AIPAC organizes a

trip to Israel for 58

members of Congress

to meet with Israeli

citizens and officials.

While AIPAC’s efforts were initially unsuccessful, they illustrate the many

ways interest groups can work to influence the policy process.

September 2, 2015

Deadline for Congress

to disapprove the deal

passes without action.

No luck for

AI PAC.

Going right to

the source.

But there’s a

new sheriff in

town!

August 2015

AIPAC representatives

lobby undecided

senators to oppose

the agreement.

May 8, 2018

Despite initially extending

the deal, President

Trump withdraws from

the agreement, saying,

“This was a horrible

one-sided deal that

should have never, ever

been made.”

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