a.) Two provisions in the Bill of Rights that protect individuals who try to influence politics are freedom of speech and freedom of assembly. Freedom of speech allows individuals to say almost anything they want. Freedom of assembly allows individuals to peacefully assemble, or come together, for whatever reason that may be (including protest, petition, march, etc.).
b.) Litigation is used by interest groups in the court to gain policy preferences through cases or amicus curiae. Grassroots mobilization is used by interest groups to organize or rally citizens, who act to influence policymakers. Lobbying of government institutions is used by interest groups to make direct contact with policymakers for the purpose of persuasion by providing information, political benefits, and so forth.
c.) One specific federal government regulation of interest groups is the McCain-Feingold Act, which prohibits the contribution of "soft money" to political campaigns. "Soft money" are donations made in such a way as to avoid federal regulations or limits. The McCain-Feingold Act allows only the contribution of "hard money," which are set donations regulated by law through the Federal Election Commission.
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