PACs

Political action committees (PACs) are organizations formed to raise and spend money to influence elections and public policy. In the United States, federal PACs must register with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and comply with financial reporting requirements and contribution limits. They can be created by corporations, labor unions, trade associations, or individuals and may solicit contributions from members or the public.

PACs come in several forms. Connected PACs are linked to a specific corporation, union, or trade association; nonconnected PACs solicit broadly from the public; and leadership PACs are established by elected officials to finance political activities. The money raised by PACs is used to support or oppose candidates, fund political advertising, or cover campaign-related expenses, subject to applicable rules.

A notable feature of the U.S. campaign landscape is the existence of Super PACs, or independent expenditure committees. Super PACs may raise and spend unlimited sums from individuals, corporations, unions, and other groups to advocate for or against candidates, but they cannot donate directly to candidates or coordinates with campaigns. They may, however, coordinate with other independent groups in limited ways defined by law.

Regulation and disclosure are central to PAC activity. The FEC requires ongoing reporting of donors and expenditures, and federal limits apply to contributions to candidates and party committees from traditional PACs. The role of PACs in elections is the subject of ongoing public and policy debate, balancing the aims of political participation and the concerns about money in politics.