Employee-funded political action committees (PACs) are the best example of campaign finance reform that works. Corporate and association PACs are transparent, highly regulated and provide a platform for employee voices to be heard.
Campaign Finance Reform that Works
“The media and activists are right to expect businesses to take a close look at which politicians they support and whether that support is warranted. But they’re wrong to call for the banning of one of the most heavily regulated, fairest and most accepted means of funding elections.”
Op-ed by Council President Doug Pinkham in Roll Call, Jan. 15, 2021
“If reformers want to improve transparency and honesty, limit corruption, and encourage a system in which bipartisanship is possible, they ought to recognize that PACs reflect a rare attribute in Washington: campaign finance reform that works.”
News Clips and Articles
In the News
Corporate Donations Fizzle Post-Jan. 6
Axios, March 18
Corporate PAC Donations to Parties and Candidates Plummet after Capitol Riot
Roll Call, March 16
Corporations Weighing Broadened Criteria for Political Donations
Bloomberg Law, March 11
Corporations Dodge Questions on Permanent Donation Bans
The Hill, January 27
Balance of Power
Bloomberg TV, January 26
Democrats Seize on GOP Donor Fallout
The Hill, January 16
Companies Are Abandoning Anti-Democratic Politicians, But They Shouldn’t Abandon Their PACs
Roll Call, January 15
Politico Influence
January 12
Corporate Donor Backlash Follows Capitol Riot, but Advocates Question if it will Last
Roll Call, January 12
Business Titans Pull Back from GOP after Capitol Insurrection
Politico, January 11
Companies Backed Trump for Years. Now They’re Facing a Reckoning After the Attack on the Capitol
The Washington Post, January 8
From our Experts
Let’s Cut PACs Some Slack
February 2021
Citizens United Turns 10 – Here Are 10 Things to Know About the Decision and Corporate Political Involvement
January 2020
The Truth About PACs: What Everyone Should Know
April 2019
Some PACs are More Super than Others
January 2019
The Truth about What I Do: My Quest to Get the Facts Out About PACs
December 2018
Facts Sheets and Resources
Framework for Determining Your Contribution Criteria
*Members-only resource
Communicating the Importance and Necessity of Your PAC
Preparing for Inquiries about Corporate Political Contributions
Frequently Asked Questions and Sample Responses
Video: What is a Corporate PAC?
Key Points from the 2019 Corporate PAC Benchmarking Report
Importance of Association PACs
Political Involvement Network Responses to Jan. 6
*Members-only survey data. Please contact us for access.
Upcoming PAC Events
Learn More
Members of the Public Affairs Council have access to additional PAC resources, discussions and more in our online, community platform Council Connect. Log in here with your Council credentials.
Victoria Ellington
Senior Manager, Political Engagement
202.787.5975 | [email protected]