Created as a way for lawmakers to raise extra money to give away to fellow politicians, leadership PACs open the door to corruption in two ways: Their funding often comes from special interest groups with business before Congress, and some politicians use them to fund lavish lifestyles, often under the guise of fundraising. This is why liberals and conservatives alike have criticized leadership PACs as “slush funds.”
Podcast episodes
Imagine a world in which a member of Congress could take money from a corporation and put it in a special bank account that’s supposed to be used to…
In the media
Research Director Michael Beckel discusses a leadership PAC formed by a candidate in the Wyoming House race
In the media
Among our most notable press mentions in December, two members of the National Council on Election Integrity — former Rep. Zach Wamp (R-TN), a co-chair of the ReFormers Caucus, and former Secretary…
In the media
Cites our “All Expenses Paid: Another Look” report which showed that scores of lawmakers aren’t using leadership PACs in the way they’re intended
In the media
Quotes Research Director Michael Beckel on leadership PACs
Sign-on letters
Issue One and Campaign Legal Center (CLC) today sent a letter to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) urging commissioners to begin a rulemaking to formally clarify that leadership PAC funds…
In the media
Quotes Research Director Michael Beckel on Issue One’s new leadership PAC report
Analysis
5 key numbers to know from the latest House and Senate campaign finance filings...
How much pressure are lawmakers under to raise campaign cash? Lots. The 2022 midterm elections are still more than a year away, but fundraising efforts for members of Congress are…
In the media
Cites Issue One’s new leadership PAC report
In the media
Cites Issue One’s new leadership PAC report
