PAC

Written By Jonathan Milner

Definition

PAC is a political committee that raises and spends money to elect or defeat candidates. Most PACs represent businesses, such as the Microsoft PAC; labor unions, such as the Teamsters PAC; or ideological interests, such as the EMILY's List PAC or the National Rifle Association PAC. An organization's PAC will solicit money from the group's employees or members and make contributions in the name of the PAC to candidates and political parties. Individuals contributing to a PAC may also contribute directly to candidates and political parties, even those also supported by the PAC. Under the Federal Election Campaign Act (1971), contributions are subject to limits. In the United States, a political action committee is a tax-exempt 527 organization that pools campaign contributions from members and donates those funds to campaigns for or against candidates, ballot initiatives, or legislation.

Example

 
 

Questions

  1. What is a PAC?

  2. Can PACs raise unlimited funds?

  3. What is the difference between a PAC and a Super PAC?

  4. PACs raise a ton of money for elections. Is this amount of money good for democracy?

  5. Who is this amount of money good for?

  6. How much do you think PACs will influence the 2024 election?

  7. If you were a candidate running for office would you rather have a PAC or a Super PAC supporting you?

  8. Is there a good emoji to express the meaning of PAC?

Remember!

Now, let’s commit this term to our long-term memory. On a scrap piece of paper, take 10 or 20 seconds to draw PAC. Draw with symbols or stick figures if you wish. Nothing fancy. Don’t expect a masterpiece. No one else will see this but you. Look at your drawing. That’s all - now it’s downloaded into your memory. Destroy the piece of paper in a most delightful way.

Further Review

GoPo Glossary

Jonathan Milner

Civics Maven!

https://www.gopopro.com/
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Super PAC