Political Action Committee (PAC)

Definition

A Political Action Committee (PAC) is an organization that raises and spends money to elect or defeat political candidates, primarily at the federal level. PACs serve as a means for individuals or organizations to pool their resources and influence elections, often focusing on specific issues or interests. They play a critical role in the political landscape by contributing to campaigns, thereby impacting legislation and public policy.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. PACs are regulated by the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and must adhere to strict contribution limits for individuals and organizations.
2. There are two main types of PACs: connected PACs, which are affiliated with a specific corporation or labor union, and non-connected PACs, which operate independently and can raise funds from a wider array of contributors.
3. PACs can contribute directly to candidates' campaigns, but their ability to do so is limited by federal laws, with caps on how much they can donate per candidate per election cycle.
4. Many PACs focus on specific issues, such as environmental protection or healthcare reform, allowing them to mobilize resources and support candidates who align with their goals.
5. The rise of Super PACs following the Citizens United v. FEC decision in 2010 changed the landscape of campaign financing, enabling entities to spend unlimited amounts while supporting PACs.

Review Questions

• How do Political Action Committees (PACs) influence the electoral process and what strategies do they use?
  • PACs influence the electoral process primarily by raising funds to support candidates who align with their interests or agendas. They use strategies such as direct contributions to campaigns, organizing grassroots efforts to mobilize voters, and running advertisements that promote their favored candidates or criticize opponents. This financial support can significantly impact a candidate's visibility and viability in elections, shaping the overall political landscape.
• Compare and contrast the roles of traditional PACs and Super PACs in modern campaign finance.
  • Traditional PACs have contribution limits imposed by the Federal Election Commission (FEC) on how much they can donate directly to candidates. In contrast, Super PACs can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money advocating for or against candidates but cannot coordinate directly with those campaigns. This fundamental difference allows Super PACs to exert a more significant influence on elections through independent expenditures, although traditional PACs remain essential in building candidate relationships through direct support.
• Evaluate the impact of Political Action Committees on legislation and public policy beyond just electoral outcomes.
  • Political Action Committees significantly impact legislation and public policy by funding candidates who prioritize specific issues they advocate for. Once elected, these candidates may push forward agendas that align with the interests of their supporters, thereby shaping legislative priorities. Furthermore, through lobbying efforts, PACs can also influence lawmakers' decisions even after elections, creating a continuous cycle of advocacy that affects not only electoral outcomes but also the legislative process itself.

Related terms

Super PAC: A Super PAC is a type of independent political committee that can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money to advocate for or against political candidates, but cannot coordinate directly with their campaigns.

Campaign Finance: Campaign finance refers to the funds raised and spent to influence elections, including contributions from individuals, organizations, and PACs, and is governed by various federal and state laws.

Interest Groups: Interest groups are organizations of people who share common objectives and actively seek to influence government policy and decision-making, often through lobbying efforts.