ABSTRACT
Interest groups vary widely in extent and variety of their tactics in approaching government in Washington. Groups with substantial resources can lobby over long periods, approaching different actors in different venues. It might seem best for an interest group to approach a lobbying campaign with a coordinated strategy to influence public opinion, activate group members, and have their lobbyists meet with public officials continually. With limited organizational resources, lobbyists must develop advocacy plans with great care. Lobbyists’ work is complicated by the ideological differences often found between them and those they wish to influence. Congressional committees make substantial changes to bills that are referred to them, adding and subtracting provisions in informal negotiations or in committee or subcommittee “markup” sessions. Lobbyists seek to develop good relationships with committee staff, who are more accessible than their bosses and who can put lobbyists’ ideas directly into drafts of legislation. Often a single committee member can help an interest group in important ways.
