Super+PACs

=__Super PACs__ = by: Alex,Blake,Derek

What is a Super PAC?:
Technically known as independent expenditure-only committees, Super PACs may raise unlimited sums of money from corporations, unions, associations and individuals, then spend unlimited sums to overtly advocate for or against political candidates. Super PACs must, however, report their donors to the Federal Election Commission on a monthly or quarterly basis -- the Super PAC's choice -- as a traditional PAC would. Unlike traditional PACs, Super PACs are prohibited from donating money directly to political candidates("Super Pacs").

Why were Super PACs made?:
In 1947, as part of the Taft-Hartley Act, the U.S. Congress prohibited labor unions or corporations from spending money to influence federal elections, and prohibited labor unions from contributing to candidate campaigns (an earlier law, the 1907 Tillman Act, had prohibited corporations from contributing to campaigns). Labor unions moved to work around these limitations by establishing political action committees, to which members could contribute.

Super PACs were made possible by two judicial decisions: the aforementioned Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission and, two months later, Speechnow.org v. FEC, where the federal Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit held that PACs that did not make contributions to candidates, parties, or other PACs could accept unlimited contributions from individuals, unions, and corporations (both for profit and not-for-profit) for the purpose of making independent expenditures(Murse). The result of the Citizens United and SpeechNow.org decisions was the rise of the popularly dubbed "super PAC".

Federal Election Commission advisories say, "Super PACs are not allowed to coordinate directly with candidates or political parties"(Murse). This restriction is to prevent them from operating campaigns that parallel the candidates they support or being in negotiations that could result in [|quid pro quo] bargaining between donors to the PAC and the candidate. However, it is legal for candidates and Super PAC managers to discuss campaign strategy and tactics through the media

Difference Between a PAC and a Super PAC:
Committees formed influence elections on a local, state or federal level. PACs may donate directly to a candidate’s campaign with limits on annual contributions to the PAC. Political Action Committees for federal elections are 527 PACs with the FEC, while state level Political Action Committees use other nomenclature to for committees making expenditures in their jurisdictions("Political Action Committees- PACs, Super PACs and Hybrid PACs"). The [|FEC] allows for 527 Independent Expenditure PACs, defined by the FEC as PACs who make no contributions directly to the campaigns of any candidates but instead make “independent expenditures” of their money supporting their causes. This means their money may be used towards the support of candidates or issues without contributing money directly to any candidate. Examples of Independent Expenditure Committee PACs are the [|Club for Growth PAC] and the [|Service Employees International Union Federal Political Action Fund]. These- most correctly identified as Super PACs- are not subject to the contribution limits of a 527 PAC offering direct assistance to candidates, but like all 527 PACs their contributions and contributors are disclosed publicly. States establish their own reporting requirements for Independent Expenditure PACs("Political Action Committees- PACs, Super PACs and Hybrid PACs").
 * PAC**: Have a limit on spending
 * Super PAC**: Have NO!!! limit on spending

=__**[|Colbert's Super PAC]**__= Better known as Americans for a Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow, Steve Colbert's provides major funds to this PAC. The Super PAC provides money to candidates and makes ads. The filing also listed donors who gave more than $200 to the Super PAC, including [|Lieutenant Governor of California] [|Gavin Newsom] ($500), actor [|Bradley Whitford] ($250), and actress [|Laura San Giacomo] ($250). Colbert said, "We raised it on my show and used it to materially influence the elections — in full accordance with the law. It’s the way our founding fathers would have wanted it, if they had founded corporations instead of just a country”(" Stephen Colbert’s Super PAC has raised over $1 million, according to filing with FEC ").

media type="youtube" key="3UOGKO7tM34" width="253" height="210"

Americans for a Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow ad

Further information on Americans for a Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow: []

Basic Functions of a Super PAC:
-Provide funds to candidates -No limits of contributions to the group -Make ads for candidates -Supports a candidate -Promotes a candidate

**Vocabulary:**
Super PAC - independent expenditure-only committee. Individuals and groups can donate to them freely, without limits. PAC - like Super PACs, are committees to forward certain political beliefs, but have a limit on spending. Citizens United vs. FEC - Supreme Court decision that ruled that limits on campaign contributions were unconstitutional. Allowed for the creation of Super PACs. Speechnow.org vs. FEC - Supreme Court decision with a similar result to the Citizens United case. 527 groups - groups that do not make direct contributions to campaigns, but rather cover independent expenditures. FEC - Federal Election Commission. Regulates campaign finance legislation. Taft-Hartley Act - Forbade unions from contributing to political campaigns.

Question/Answer
1.What is another name for Super PACs? 2.What is the difference between a Pac and a Super Pac? 3.What two judicial decisions made Super PACs possible? 4.What is the name of Steven Colbert's super PAC?
 * independent expenditure-only committees
 * Super PACs have no limit on spending
 * Citizens United v. FEC and Speechnow.org v. FEC
 * Americans for a Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow


 * Further Reading**:

[]

[]

[]

Work Cited:
Murse, Tom. [|"What is a Super PAC?"]. //About.com U.S. Politics//. Retrieved December 9, 2012.  "Super PACs." //Opensecrets RSS//. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Dec. 2012.  "Political Action Committees- PACs, Super PACs and Hybrid PACs." //Political Action Committees- PACs, Super PACs and Hybrid PACs//. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Dec. 2012.   " [|Stephen Colbert’s Super PAC has raised over $1 million, according to filing with FEC] " (January 31, 2012). Associated Press.