A political action committee (PAC) is any organization in the United States that campaigns for or against a candidate, ballot initiatives or legislation. At the federal level, an organization becomes a PAC when it receives or spends more than $1,000 for the purpose of influencing a federal election, according to the Federal Election Campaign Act. At the state level, an organization becomes a PAC according to the state's election laws.
Read more about Political Action Committee: History of PACs in The United States, Categorization of PACs, Keeping Donor Lists Hidden From Voters, The PAC Backlash, Federal Level Backlash, State Level Advisory Requests Pending, Legal Backlash At State Level, Super PAC Backlash, Congressional Backlash, Defending Super PAC Contributions, James Bopp, International Comparison and Response, 2008 Election, 2012 Election (estimates)
Famous quotes containing the words political, action and/or committee:
“When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.”
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826)
“You are, I am sure, aware that genuine popular support in the United States is required to carry out any Government policy, foreign or domestic. The American people make up their own minds and no governmental action can change it.”
—Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882–1945)
“Football combines the two worst things about America: it is violence punctuated by committee meetings.”
—George F. Will (b. 1941)