The function and impact of a political action committee, or PAC, may not be familiar to those who work outside of professional politics. Corporations, trade associations, labor unions and special interest groups form PACs to rally for their policy causes by raising money to support candidates or promote policies and legislation that align with their interests. The ASRT founded the ASRT-PAC® in 1999.

How PACs Operate

PACs operate within the boundaries of the Federal Election Campaign Act, which regulates the amount of money that can be contributed to candidates and campaigns. If you’d like to learn more about the limits, there is a chart on the Federal Election Commission website, FEC.gov. PACs can collect voluntary contributions from individuals, corporations and other organizations. They can use those funds to support candidates through donations, advertisements and grassroots campaigning efforts, and PACs can also contribute to political parties or engage in independent expenditures, such as creating their own ads or conducting issue advocacy.

Types of PACs

There are two primary types of PACs: independent and connected. Independent PACs, also known as super PACs, can raise funds from individuals, corporations and unions, and don’t have any contribution limits. However, independent PACs can’t coordinate directly with candidates or political parties. Instead, they focus on independent expenditures like ads and campaigns.

Connected PACs, like the ASRT-PAC, are affiliated with corporations, unions, trade associations and other organizations. They can only solicit contributions from individuals associated with the sponsoring organization and can contribute directly to candidates.

Impact on the Political Process 

PACs can significantly affect the political process by influencing the outcome of elections and shaping policy priorities. Their financial contributions allow candidates to run competitive campaigns and reach a wider audience. The ASRT-PAC uses the contributions to support elected officials who back ASRT’s efforts to protect patients and elevate the medical imaging and radiation therapy profession.

Transparency and Regulation

Campaign finance laws aim to ensure transparency in PAC operations. PACs are required to disclose their contributors, donations and expenditures to the FEC. This provides public access to information about the individuals and groups that financially support specific candidates or causes.

Political action committees are a fundamental part of the political landscape. They serve as vehicles for individuals, organizations and causes to express political preferences. Knowing the role of PACs is crucial to understanding elections and policy decisions.

To learn more about the ASRT-PAC®, go to asrt.org/PAC.

52 ASRT SCANNER x DECEMBER/JANUARY 2024 x ASRT.ORG

  *Article originally appeared in the ASRT Dec/Jan 2024 Scanner Publication