Publication

This report explores what super PACs are, how they developed, what they raised and spent in the 2010 election cycle, and issues that appear on the horizon for 2012. As of this writing, Congress has not amended the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) to formally recognize the role of super PACs. No legislation introduced in the 112th Congress specifically addresses super PACs. The FEC has issued advisory opinions, but has not yet approved regulations on the subject. The report also provides context for understanding what the rapidly developing topic of super PACs might mean for federal campaign finance policy and federal elections. He does so through a question-and-answer format with attention to super PAC activities in 2010 and what those findings might mean looking ahead.