Topic 2: American Israel Public Affairs Committee
Topic 3: Center for American Progress
Representing organizations, professional associations, industries, and countless other constituent groups, lobbyists influence public policy at practically every level of government. Often accused of influencing policy-making at the expense of the common good, lobbyist groups are regularly vilified by the American public as unscrupulous “special interests.” Nevertheless, lobbyist groups serve as direct conduits between politicians and citizens who share similar beliefs about particular issues, and despite their reputation, these groups play a fundamental role in the modern political process. There is no question that lobbyists seek political support and favorable regulations for the group or cause they represent. Yet in their roles as policy experts, lobbyists also provide regulators, department heads, and members of Congress with information that is vital for effective governance, and political leaders regularly rely on this specialized knowledge to inform their executive and legislative decisions.
At HMCA, delegates will work behind the scenes to promote the preferred policies of the many special interests groups that hold sway in the halls of Congress. As proponents of causes and ideologies that span the entire political spectrum, students will not only be expected to be knowledgeable of the particular interests they represent but also to adequately defend their arguments from critics and political opponents. Delegates will present policy proposals, draft legislation, testify in congressional committees, and hold press conferences with the intention of securing the support of influential politicians, and their success will be determined by their ability to guide favorable regulations and legislation through the complex political institutions that comprise the federal government.
Lobbyists at HMCA
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Delegates in this committee will simulate representatives of several prominent lobbying groups. As representatives of these groups, delegates will be called upon to provide testimony to different committees — both domestic and international — that seek their input on the topics before them. Delegates will be discussing a wide range of topics reflecting the perspective of their respective group and will work closely with delegates in other committees to provide their expertise and help build consensus. They will serve as experts on specific topics as well as provide insightful commentary on the influential views and opinions of their respective lobbyist group.
Relevant Links for Further Research:
(please click on the listings below)
A Day in the Life of a Lobbyist: Princeton Review
