Final answer:
BP targets US congressional leaders to influence legislation, focusing on committee members who can direct policy and lawmakers who have shown support for their causes. This allows indirect influence and strategic involvement during critical legislative stages.
Step-by-step explanation:
BP (British Petroleum), like many large corporations, targets US congressional leaders to influence legislation for various strategic reasons. One key factor is that congressional leaders play a significant role in shaping the legislative agenda, even when the president and Congress are of the same political party. They have the power to push issues that serve their interests or those of their constituents, which might differ from the president's policy objectives.
BP targets members of relevant committees because these members often represent constituencies that could benefit from certain industries. Committees like the Armed Services Committees and appropriations committees directly influence legislation affecting defense and funding. Lobbying these members can lead to indirect influence over other lawmakers who defer to the expertise of committee members on specific issues.
Additionally, BP and other interest groups focus on lawmakers likely to support their cause and those involved in finalizing legislation, such as members of conference committees. Interests groups like BP take into account which congressional representatives may be more amenable to their interests, and leverage their influence when legislation is on the floor or during the critical stages of negotiations in conference committees.