Less Bias in US Interest Groups? New Data Shows Surprising Preferences Until Weighted by Spending

For years, critics have claimed the American interest group system is biased. But new direct measures of policy preferences using ideal point estimates (IGscores) for over 2,600 groups and 950 legislators on a common scale reveal less conservative bias than expected. The findings highlight stark differences between politicians and ideologically aligned groups but show clear biases when adjusted by PAC contributions or lobbying spending. This suggests political influence shapes policymakers' views of organized interests.