Knowra Political action committee Political action committee A political action committee (PAC) is an organization that raises and spends money to influence elections and public policy, subject to rules that vary by jurisdiction.
Federal Election Commission : The independent U.S. agency that administers and enforces federal campaign-finance law. It registers, regulates, and publishes financial reports for federal PACs.
Super PAC : An independent-expenditure-only committee that may raise unlimited funds but cannot contribute to candidates or coordinate with campaigns. It shares the PAC label but operates under different fundraising and spending rules.
Federal Election Campaign Act : A U.S. law regulating federal campaign contributions, expenditures, disclosure, and election administration. Its amendments established the modern federal framework for PAC registration and reporting.
Trade association : An organization whose members are businesses or professionals in the same industry, formed to advance shared interests. Trade associations often sponsor PACs that support candidates aligned with member industries.
Campaign finance : The funding of election campaigns and political activity, including contributions, expenditures, and their regulation. PACs are one institutional form within the broader system of political money.
Hard money : Political contributions subject to limits and disclosure requirements under campaign-finance law. Traditional PAC contributions to federal candidates count as hard money.
Leadership PAC : A political committee established or controlled by a federal candidate or officeholder to support other candidates and political activity. Unlike an ordinary candidate committee, it is not the officeholder’s principal campaign account.
Buckley v. Valeo : A 1976 U.S. Supreme Court decision that upheld contribution limits while striking down limits on independent political expenditures. Its distinction between contributions and independent spending shapes PAC rules.
Labor union : An organization of workers formed to represent members in collective bargaining and workplace matters. Unions commonly establish PACs to support candidates and political causes.
Political corruption : The misuse of public power for private or partisan gain. PAC fundraising raises concerns about access, favors, and the appearance of exchanged influence.
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