From your own research, what interest group did you find? Please list its name and website information.
The interest group identified in the research is the House Freedom Caucus. It is a congressional caucus that includes members of the House of Representatives that are also members of the Republican Party. The group has a conservative political position. They do not have a website, but their initiatives are largely communicated via social networking services, particularly Facebook and Twitter. The description on Twitter states, “We support open, accountable & limited govt, the Constitution & the rule of law, and policies that promote the liberty, safety & prosperity of all Americans” (“House Freedom Caucus,” n.d., para. 1).
From your own research, list three important pieces of information that give us a picture of what your interest group believes.
Several key points can be identified to show what this interest group’s beliefs are. First, the group supports the Tea Party Movement, whose agenda is reducing government spending and decreasing taxes. Second, in its public statements, the group appeals to the Americans who feel that they are not properly represented. Third, the group’s conservative position has led to its recent conflict with Donald Trump.
From your own research, describe a specific policy action your group desires.
A specific policy action that the House Freedom Caucus desires are the reconsideration of the school lunch plan adopted by the Obama administration seven years ago.
From your own research, whom does this group lobby most, or most effectively? For example, is there a political party or certain congressional representatives who seem to get more of its attention, money, or information? Which committees and subcommittees would it particularly lobby?
The group is very influential among Republicans in Congress. Apart from its own legislative power, the caucus also lobbies the Republican Study Committee (RSC), and many members of the causes are members of the RSC, too.
From your congress.gov research, what is the title of the legislation (include its origination or appropriate numbers)?
The relevant legislation is H.R.610, the purpose of which is to “distribute Federal funds for elementary and secondary education in the form of vouchers for eligible students and to repeal a certain rule relating to nutrition standards in schools” (“H.R.610,” 2017, para. 1).
From your congress.gov research, who are its key sponsors and their party affiliation?
The sponsor is Representative Steve King, a member of the Republican Party.
From your congress.gov research, what is its current status within Congress?
The legislation was introduced on January 23, 2017, and referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce that same day. According to the formal classification, its current status is “Introduced.”
From your congress.gov research, describe briefly your personal reaction to this legislation. Do you think it will pass and do you think it should pass? Why?
Based on my research, I find the arguments put forward by Mark Meadows, the chairman of the caucus, for the adoption of this legislation rather convincing. The situation is that a lot of food is being wasted in schools, which is why several regulations are proposed to ensure that children in schools receive a sufficient amount of adequate food. The bill also addresses nutrition standards for food served in schools, which I think is a good thing, too. I think the bill will eventually pass because Congress today is sympathetic to conservative initiatives, although the bill’s current status makes me think that maybe the adoption will be delayed.
References
About us. (n.d.). Web.
H.R.610. (2017). Web.
H.R.861. (2017). Web.
House Freedom Caucus. (n.d.). Web.