Political Action Committee Research Assignment
Use OpenSecrets.org or a similar source to obtain the following information about your assigned PAC. Complete
numbers 1-6 on the PAC Profile chart below. Complete 7-10 on a separate sheet.
1. Total Receipts in 2012 (If there is no information for 2012, look at previous cycles – but label which year’s
information you are using.) Do not use 2014!
2. Total Contributions (Be sure to look at the “Expenditures” and “PAC to PAC Party” tabs. If there is no
information for 2012, look at previous cycles – but label which year’s information you are using.)
3. What is the political ideology of this group (if any)? Did this group give all (or a large majority) of its money
to one political party? Or have they spread their money fairly evenly?
4. What industry is this group an advocate for (if any)?
5. What are the goals of the group? (You will likely have to look at other websites to find this information.)
6. On OpenSecrets.org, is your group one of those listed under the Top PACs, Super PACs, or Heavy Hitter
lists? If so, click on this link. What additional information about your assigned group did you find?
7. Look at the Industry Breakdown (http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/top.php?showYear=2012&indexType=i). Does
this information surprise you? Why or why not?
8. Other than direct contributions to party organizations and candidates, how might a PAC spend its money?
9. Does your assigned group’s political ideology and goals agree with your own? In what way(s) are they the
same or different?
10. It has been argued that PACs have excessive influence on the political process and public policy. Do you
agree? Why or why not?
Political Action Committee Profile
Name of PAC
Total Receipts:
Year:
Total Contributions:
Political Ideology:
Industry:
Contributed to Which Party(ies):
Circle all that apply:
Top PAC
Goals:
Super PAC
Additional Information:
Year:
Heavy Hitter
1.
ActBlue
2.
American Association for Justice
3.
American Bankers Association
4.
American Crystal Sugar
5.
American Federation of State, County, and Municipal
Employees
6.
American Federation of Teachers
7.
AmeriPAC
8.
Associated Builders & Contractors
9.
AT&T Inc.
10.
BAE Systems
11.
Berkshire Hathaway
12.
Blue Cross/Blue Shield
13.
Boeing Company
14.
Citizens United
15.
Credit Union National Association
16.
Deloitte
17.
EMILY’s List
18.
Every Republican Is Crucial
19.
Farm Credit Council
20.
Freedom Project
21.
General Electric
22.
Goldman Sachs
23.
Home Depot
24.
Honeywell International
25.
Human Rights Campaign
26.
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
27.
National Education Association
28.
Koch Industries
29.
League of Conservation Voters
30.
Lockheed Martin
31.
Machinists & Aerospace Workers Union
32.
Majority Committee PAC
33.
Microsoft Corporation
34.
Moveon.org
35.
NARAL Pro-Choice America
36.
National Action Committee
37.
National Association of Letter Carriers
38.
National Association of Realtors
39.
National Auto Dealers Association
40.
National Beer Wholesalers Association
41.
National Committee to Preserve Social Security
42.
National Community Pharmacists Association
43.
National Rifle Association
44.
New York Life
45.
Northrop Grumman
46.
Operating Engineers Union
47.
Our Country Deserves Better
48.
Plumbers & Pipefitters Union
49.
Priorities USA Action
50.
Restore Our Future
51.
Senate Conservatives Fund
52.
Teamsters Union
53.
United Food & Commercial Workers Union
54.
Winning Our Future