Iron Triangle Examples in US Government

The phrase "iron triangle" is defined as the complex, three-way alliance that exists among the legislative branch of the United States government, its various bureaucratic agencies and special interests. These three key types of entities influence each other in myriad ways, a fact that has a serious impact on the American political system.

• Congress - As the legislative branch of government, Congress is tasked with proposing and passing legislation. Members of Congress must raise significant amounts of money in order to fund re-election campaigns.
• bureaucratic government agencies - Government agencies are tasked with making policy and issuing regulations, while also ensuring compliance with laws and regulations. They are dependent on Congress for funding that is needed to operate and accomplish goals.
• special interest groups - Special interest groups seek to sway Congress and regulators to make decisions favorable to their causes. They tend to provide funds to lawmakers and regulators who support legislation and regulations that advance their interests.

The interrelationship between the three groups that comprise the iron triangle can create a self-sufficient (and sometimes corrupt) sub-governmental situation in which American citizens' best interests are ignored by Congress or bureaucratic agencies, who instead make decisions as a result of being influenced by special interest groups.

These groups may, directly or indirectly, receive special favors in exchange for supporting certain regulatory changes or passing particular legislation. The impact of the iron triangle is not all bad, though. At times, special interest groups will successfully lobby to have meaningful laws passed that also advance the interests of the American people.

Special interest groups (SIGs) are a key element in the iron triangle because they can create a governmental situation in which lobbyists on their payroll may have an undue influence on governmental representatives. They focus on persuading legislators and government regulators, which make up the other two corners of the iron triangle, to make decisions favorable to their organizations' interests.

The Sierra Club aims to protect the Earth's wild places. Its members consider it their mission to promote the responsible use of the Earth’s resources. Sierra Club's membership is made up of environmentally aware individuals who are very focused on conservation and protecting the Earth. They prioritize the environment above all else, which is often counter to the interests of those who prioritize industry and commerce.

• The Sierra Club lobbies for key environmental goals, such as funding to help fight climate change and global warming, as well as legislation that will prevent development efforts and business practices likely to be detrimental to the environment.
• Within its lobbying function, the Sierra Club focuses on outreach to legislators and agencies directly involved in matters of the environment. For example, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Senate's Environment and Public Works Committee are key targets for the Sierra Club.
• When Sierra Club representatives seek to influence legislation and policy-making with these two groups, the three entities working together form an iron triangle. When the EPA and legislators are influenced by the Sierra Club, the decisions made sometimes put them at odds with voters and interest groups who are more focused on economic development than environmental protection.

The National Rifle Association (NRA) is a membership-based lobbying organization that advocates for gun rights. They represent the interests of their members as well as gun and ammunition manufacturers. Their primary focus is to prevent the government from passing legislation that would in any way limit gun ownership or the production and sale of guns.

• The NRA lobbies to block new gun control measures. This becomes an iron triangle issue when legislators and bureaucrats respond favorably to NRA lobbyists by blocking initiatives the organization views as detrimental.
• The NRA spends millions of dollars each year lobbying politicians, and organizations and encourages their affiliates and supporters (of which there are many) to donate to the campaigns of politicians who consistently vote against any limitations on gun control.
• For example, the NRA is opposed to universal background checks for gun purchasers. Even though this initiative seems to be one that is supported by most people in the U.S., this topic does not seem to have the support of enough legislators to become a law. Without legislation, bureaucrats cannot incorporate this practice into the regulations.
  
• Politicians and candidates who do not have voting records consistent with the way the NRA works generally do not get funding from NRA-backed or affiliated sources or members, which means they are much less likely to win elections than their colleagues who do. This is an example of the power of the iron triangle at work.
  

AARP (formerly the American Association for Retired Persons) is a special interest group whose mission is to empower people as they age. Their members are 50 or more years of age, so their primary focus is to ensure that the needs of that population are met.

• AARP has been known to lobby against any cuts or changes to Social Security and Medicare. This benefits their members, who are made up of individuals over 50 years of age.
• Politicians who feel they need the support of that group of voters may be inclined to propose legislation in a way that is consistent with AARP's lobbying in order to get the support of the group and its members.
• Even if it might be in the best long-term interest of the public for these programs to be reformed so they are more sustainable, politicians may be swayed by the appeals presented by the AARP, which naturally will focus on avoiding any kinds of cuts to programs that benefit their members.
• If this group lobbies and subsequently succeeds in being able to coordinate with Subcommittee on Aging, which is part of the House of Representatives, and/or the Social Security Administration, to prevent reforms to Social Security or Medicare, this would be an example of the iron triangle at work.

The Christian Coalition of America is a conservative political organization that seeks to build a legal environment favorable to the values of conservative Christian families. They promote laws and regulations consistent with teachings of conservative doctrine, which represent the professed beliefs and values of their members. In essence, their goal is to ensure that there are laws in place that would require everyone to make choices and decisions consistent with conservative Christian doctrine.

• The Christian Coalition and other similar conservative organizations spend a lot of their time lobbying for laws that restrict abortion, which is one of their hot-button issues. This becomes an iron triangle situation when restrictive laws are passed in response to lobbying, then associated regulations are developed, even if much of the public would prefer fewer restrictions.
• Their position is zero tolerance for abortions, regardless of all circumstances, medical, criminal or otherwise. Their influence, and the influence of similar organizations, has led to the closure of abortion clinics in many states, as well as the passing of what are being called fetal heartbeat bills that ban abortion for any reason at any stage of pregnancy.
• As with any lobbying group, they encourage their members and affiliates to vote for and support politicians who propose or get behind (in terms of support) legislation that is consistent with their agenda. Politicians who waver at all on advancing a complete ban on abortions run the risk of losing votes of the members of this organization, similar ones and others who identify as Christian.

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is a special interest group that seeks to protect and advance the interests of Black Americans, a group of people that have historically faced discrimination and still experience a lack of equal opportunity.

• Throughout its history, the NAACP has successfully played a role in lobbying against racial segregation, discrimination and other social injustices, while advocating for equal access to education and voting rights. For example, they are actively involved in efforts to ensure that Blacks' voting rights are protected.
• They may seek to lobby or coordinate with legislators seeking to pass or amend laws focused on civil rights, to ensure that the needs of Black Americans are met and appropriately served. Their members and associated groups work to advance the interests of Black people, and so certainly look favorably on politicians and agencies that share their concern for social justice.
• Politicians seeking votes and donations from the large portion of the population that is Black find themselves well-served by voting in a way that meets the agenda of the organization. The same is true for bureaucrats in agencies whose budgets and priorities are strongly impacted by who is in office.

The examples above represent just a few of the many special interest groups that exist. Some protect corporate interests while others focus on individual rights. They all have the ability to influence legislators and legislation. Of course, that means Congress. Congress is a key corner of the iron triangle, as they are the lawmakers in the United States.

Congress contains two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate. Every state in the U.S. has at least one house representative and two senators. These members work together (or in opposition to one another) to create laws.

• Individuals within Congressional representatives often forge alliances with special interest groups and bureaucratic agencies. They select the groups they align with based on the subject matter discussed in their assigned committees or subcommittees.
  • The House of Representatives has a list of committees that review laws and oversee various activities within certain jurisdictions.
    
  • By the same token, Senate members will gather together in their committees and subcommittees to discuss various bills and oversee important agencies.

Members of Congress sometimes seem to exchange legislation or votes with certain SIGs in order to gain their endorsement and support to finance re-election campaigns. With fundraising being such a key factor in winning Congressional elections, it's not surprising that this happens. It can be difficult for members of Congress to get elected without the endorsement of SIGs that represent the voters they need. As a result, special interest groups may receive special favors when it comes to legislation.

• For example, a congressperson from the Midwest who is a member of the Agriculture Committee in the House of Representatives may rely on a lobbyist from the ethanol industry to provide industry stats and facts about the benefits of using corn for ethanol production.
• As long as the congressperson works towards policies that are beneficial to ethanol production, the lobbyist may, in turn, be very influential in promoting the congressperson as an ally to the corn farmers. This could raise the congressperson's chances of reelection.

Bureaucratic agencies within the federal government are the third corner of the iron triangle. These entities function as the implementation arm of laws enacted by Congress. The federal bureaucracy consists of many government agencies,

• The bureaucratic agencies are funded via allocations that Congress oversees, which are often influenced by SIGs. Further, the funding of the agencies themselves is controlled by Congress.
• Congress plays a role in vetting leaders of the bureaucratic agencies, so those seeking such roles need the endorsement of Congressional representatives.
• Congress members may seek to put people in place to head up the agencies whose perspectives are consistent with, or at least not hostile to, the interests of the SIGs they count on for support.

This synergistic effect can lead to decisions being implemented that may be in favor of any combination of Congress, the government agency or certain SIGs, but that may or may not be in the best interests of citizens.

The iron triangle created by these three groups (special interest groups, Congress and bureaucratic government agencies) is strong because of their reliance on one another to achieve their own agendas. This runs the risk of de-prioritizing citizen needs in favor of political gains. Other times, human interests are fully supported and these groups have served the American public well. Learn about the Civil Rights Movement to discover how grassroots organizing and lobbying efforts can lead to positive change via the iron triangle.