Glossary Definition :

Leadership Political Action Committee (PAC): Leadership PACs, sometimes called personal PACs, are non-connected political action committees that serve the political interests of a member of Congress. The FEC has allowed federal officeholders to sponsor leadership PACs in addition to their official campaign committees. Leadership PACs may accept hard money contributions of up to $5,000 per year.

Statutes and/or Regulations:

Definition: 11 C.F.R. §§ 100.5, 106.6(a)

Communications by a Political Committee: 11 C.F.R. § 110.11(a)

Contributions to a Political Committee: 11 C.F.R. § 110.1(d)

Fundraising by a Political Committee: 11 C.F.R. § 110.11(a)

Organization of a Political Committee: 11 C.F.R. § 102.7

Registration: 11 C.F.R. §§ 102.1, 102.2, 102.6(a)(2), 102.17(a)(1)

Statement of Organization: 11 C.F.R. §§ 102.1, 102.2

FEC Final Rules on Leadership PACs

Related Forms:

FEC Statement of Organization for PACs: Form 1 and Instructions

FEC Notification of Multicandidate Status for PACs: Form 1M and Instructions

FEC Disclosure Form for PACs: Form 3X and Instructions

FEC Disclosure Form to Report Independent Expenditures: Form 5 and Instructions

FEC Disclosure Form to Report Electioneering Communications: Form 9 and Instructions

Commentary :

FEC Campaign Guide for Nonconnected Committees

FEC BCRA Campaign Guide Supplement

"Leadership PACs," The Center for Responsive Politics

"What Is a PAC?," The Center for Responsive Politics

"Two-Fisted Giving: Big Donors Using Leadership PACs For End-Runs Around Contribution Limits," The Center for Responsive Politics

Reports :

"Leadership PACs: PAC Contributions to Federal Candidates," The Center for Responsive Politics