Frequently Asked Questions

What is a PAC?
What does IPC PAC do?
How is the IPC PAC funded?
What is "prior authorization" and why do I/my company need to sign a form?
Who can sign the prior authorization form?
How is the IPC PAC administered?
Does IPC PAC support one political party over another?
How does IPC PAC choose which elected officials to support?
Who is eligible to contribute to the IPC PAC?
Are contributions to the IPC PAC tax-deductible?
How can I get involved?



What is a PAC?
A federal Political Action Committee, or PAC, is an entity registered with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) for the purpose of raising funds from eligible individuals in order to support candidates for federal office. Individual companies are prohibited by law from giving corporate funds to federal candidates and campaigns.
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What does IPC PAC do?

IPC PAC pools voluntary, personal financial contributions and uses these funds to put our support behind members of Congress who understand our industry’s policy issues.

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How is the IPC PAC funded?

IPC PAC is funded solely through voluntary, personal contributions from the “eligible class” of IPC employees and members. Corporate contributions are prohibited under federal law.

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What is "prior authorization" and why do I/my company need to sign a form?

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) requires the IPC PAC to obtain written approval from IPC members before it may solicit and accept contributions from employees of the member company.


Granting prior authorization does not obligate the company or its employees to support the IPC PAC — it simply gives IPC permission to communicate in much greater detail about the IPC PAC to certain employees that are known as the “eligible class” (e.g. a member’s owners/principals, managers, professional personnel, and other salaried, exempt employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act) and the IPC PAC role in advancing and protecting the our industry’s interests in Washington.

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Who can sign the prior authorization form?

Prior authorization may be granted by anyone who is authorized by the company. This includes the company’s chief executive or the owner/principal, but may also include those designated to represent the company.

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How is the IPC PAC administered?

The IPC PAC is administered by the IPC Government Relations Committee with input from IPC government relations staff.

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Does IPC PAC support one political party over another?

No. IPC PAC does not support one political party over another.

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How does IPC PAC choose which elected officials to support?

The IPC PAC contributes to candidates for U.S. federal office who support and promote policies that are important to the future of our industry.

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Who is eligible to contribute to the IPC PAC?

Generally, individuals who are part of the “eligible class” may contribute to the IPC PAC. This includes IPC employees and IPC member company employees who are considered “exempt” employees – meaning those who are exempt from the requirements of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act.


Subject to further limitations mentioned below, all citizens of the United States (including Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and other U.S. territories) and permanent resident aliens (green card holders residing in the United States) may contribute to the IPC PAC.


Spouses of eligible IPC employees who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents are also eligible to contribute.


Foreign nationals, including individuals who are not citizens of the United States or not lawfully admitted for permanent residence, may not contribute to the PAC.

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Are contributions to the IPC PAC tax-deductible?

No. Under IRS rules, individual contributions to PACs are not tax-deductible.

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How can I get involved?

The first step is to sign an IPC PAC authorization form. Before we can ask for a contribution, federal election law requires us to first receive a signed prior authorization form from each IPC member company. You can access the prior authorization form here.


You can also contact Chris Mitchell if you have any questions about the IPC PAC or how to get involved.

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