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.
Understanding Super PAC
Super PACs (officially called "independent expenditure-only committees") emerged from the 2010 federal court decisions in Citizens United v. FEC and SpeechNow.org v. FEC. Unlike traditional PACs, Super PACs can accept unlimited contributions from individuals, corporations, unions, and other organizations.
However, they are prohibited from contributing directly to candidates or coordinating their spending with candidates or party committees. Super PACs must register with the Federal Election Commission and disclose all contributions and expenditures. Super PAC spending in federal elections has grown dramatically since their creation, from $62 million in 2010 to over $2 billion in the 2020 election cycle. While Super PACs are primarily electoral vehicles, they are closely linked to the lobbying ecosystem.
Many Super PACs are established by or closely associated with individuals and organizations that also maintain active lobbying operations. The largest Super PACs are often funded by wealthy individuals and corporations that are simultaneously among the biggest lobbying spenders. Critics argue that Super PACs effectively circumvent contribution limits by allowing unlimited spending that is theoretically "independent" but often closely aligned with candidate campaigns. The practical distinction between coordination and independent spending has been the subject of ongoing legal and regulatory debate.
Related Glossary Terms
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.
Citizens United v. FEC
The landmark 2010 Supreme Court decision that ruled corporations and unions have First Amendment rights to spend unlimited amounts on independent political expenditures.
Dark Money
Political spending by nonprofit organizations that are not required to disclose their donors, making the original source of funding untraceable.
Campaign Finance
The system of laws, regulations, and practices governing the raising and spending of money in political campaigns for public office.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does super pac mean?
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.
Why is super pac important in lobbying?
Super PACs (officially called "independent expenditure-only committees") emerged from the 2010 federal court decisions in Citizens United v. FEC and SpeechNow.org v. FEC. Unlike traditional PACs, Super PACs can accept unlimited contributions from individuals, corporations, unions, and other organiza...