AP Government: Media and Interest Groups

All of the following statements about political actions committees (PACs) are true EXCEPT

• They are formed by groups of like-minded people
• They must have at least fifty individual members
• They can give an unlimited amount of soft money to political parties
• a.  Labor PACs give most of their money to Democrats

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 golden parachute
• The silver lining

Protection for the activities of interest groups can be found in 

• The original text of the Constitution
• The First Amendment
• The Fifth Amendment
• The Declaration of Independence

The Lemon test is used to determine if 

• There is unfair government interference regarding free speech
•  The government is acting properly in due process cases
• There are illegal tactics used by PACs
•  Legislation that deals with religion creates illegal government interference

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 

 Which of the following is a concern about the influence of the lobbyists on government?

• Many lobbyists are former federal officials who gave up their positions in government to work for interest groups 
• Many lobbyists are attorneys who have undue influence because of their legal expertise
• Many lobbyists also work as congressional staff members
•  Many members of Congress are former lobbyists who still have strong connections with interest groups 

 Which of the following is a restriction on the interaction between members of Congress and interest groups?

• Members of interest groups may not provide members of Congress with information regarding pending legislation 
• Members of Congress may not accept gifts of any value from registered lobbyists
•  Retired members of Congress may not work as lobbyists for interest groups
•  Members of Congress must retain records of all email, text, and phone messages from lobbyists

Which of the following amount is reflective of the most common PAC donation?

• Approximately $100
• Approximately $300
• Approximately $1000
• Over $10,000

Money that candidates can spend on their own campaigns was declared unconstitutional in which Supreme Court case?

• Buckley v. Valeo
• Citizens United v. FEC
• Bush v. Gore
• Planned Parenthood v. Casey

Linkage institutions include all of the following EXCEPT...

• Interest Groups
• Political Parties
• Domestic Policy
• Mass Media