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
|