Political Action Committees (PACs) have been part of the political landscape in the United States for many years. Simply put, a PAC is a group of people who have come together to raise money for a political cause, which can include support for single issues, candidates, or political parties.

In 1971, Congress passed the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA), which governs the financing of federal elections. Under FECA, strict limits were placed on PAC activities. For instance, a trade association PAC is only allowed to solicit, under limited circumstances, personal (non-corporate) contributions to the PAC from certain executive and administrative personnel and their families, from executive and administrative personnel, and from stockholders and their respective families within a restricted group of corporate members.

PACs are allowed to contribute up to $5,000 to each candidate per election. The primary election counts as one, the general election as another, and any run-offs as a third. A PAC, therefore, potentially could contribute up to $15,000 to a candidate's campaign. By pooling numerous smaller amounts individuals donated to the PAC, larger donations can be made to a candidate who meets the criteria set by the PAC.

Many professional associations have formed PACs to enhance their Government Affairs activities and facilitate their participation in the political process. The HDMA PAC was formed in 1990 as the National Wholesale Druggists' Association Political Action Committee (NWDAPAC). To coincide with the new name of the association, the PAC now is the Healthcare Distribution Management Association Political Action Committee (HDMA PAC).


Contacts
Joseph Trauger
Senor Director, Federal Government Affairs
703-885-0235
jtrauger@hdmanet.org

Kristen L. Freitas
Manager, Federal Government Affairs
703-885-0232
kfreitas@hdmanet.org