Political Action Committee (PAC)
A registered political committee that raises and spends money to elect or defeat candidates, subject to contribution limits and disclosure requirements under the Federal Election Campaign Act.
Understanding Political Action Committee (PAC)
Political Action Committees are organizations that pool campaign contributions from members, employees, or other individuals and direct those funds to candidates, party committees, or other PACs. Traditional PACs (also called "connected" PACs when sponsored by a corporation, union, or trade association) are regulated by the Federal Election Commission and must register, disclose all contributions received and expenditures made, and adhere to contribution limits. As of 2024, PACs can contribute up to $5,000 per candidate per election, $15,000 per year to a national party committee, and $5,000 per year to another PAC. Many lobbying organizations operate affiliated PACs alongside their lobbying operations, creating a dual-track influence strategy.
While lobbyists contact officials about specific legislation, PACs provide campaign funding to those same officials. LDA semi-annual reports (LD-203 forms) require lobbyists to disclose their campaign contributions, creating a partial link between lobbying and campaign finance data. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, thousands of PACs are active in federal elections, collectively spending billions of dollars per election cycle. Corporate PACs are funded by voluntary contributions from employees and cannot use corporate treasury funds directly.
Related Glossary Terms
Super PAC
An independent expenditure-only committee that may raise unlimited sums from corporations, unions, associations, and individuals to spend on elections, but cannot coordinate with candidates or parties.
Bundling
The practice of collecting multiple individual campaign contributions and delivering them together to a candidate, amplifying the bundler's influence and access.
Campaign Finance
The system of laws, regulations, and practices governing the raising and spending of money in political campaigns for public office.
Lobbying
The act of attempting to influence government decisions, policies, or legislation by contacting elected officials, their staff, or executive branch officials.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does political action committee (pac) mean?
A registered political committee that raises and spends money to elect or defeat candidates, subject to contribution limits and disclosure requirements under the Federal Election Campaign Act.
Why is political action committee (pac) important in lobbying?
Political Action Committees are organizations that pool campaign contributions from members, employees, or other individuals and direct those funds to candidates, party committees, or other PACs. Traditional PACs (also called "connected" PACs when sponsored by a corporation, union, or trade associat...