what is a political action committee

A Political Action Committee (PAC) is a political committee that pools campaign contributions from members and donates those funds to campaigns for or against candidates, ballot initiatives, or legislation. PACs are typically formed to represent business, labor, or ideological interests. PACs can give $5,000 to a candidate committee per election (primary, general or special), and they can also give up to $15,000 annually to any national party committee, and $5,000 annually to any other PAC. PACs may receive up to $5,000 from any one individual, PAC, or party committee per calendar year. PACs must register with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) within 10 days of their formation, providing name and address for the PAC, its treasurer, and any connected organizations. There are many categories of PACs, including separate segregated funds (SSFs), nonconnected committees, Super PACs, and Leadership PACs. Super PACs are committees that may receive unlimited contributions from individuals, corporations, labor unions, and other PACs for the purpose of financing independent expenditures and other independent political activity. Leadership PACs are often formed by politicians who might aspire to higher office or more influence within their political party by raising funds and disbursing them to the campaigns of other candidates.