# Plain Language Summary: The No PAC Act

This bill would ban members of Congress and candidates running for Congress from accepting money from political action committees (PACs), with one important exception: they could still accept donations from their own personal campaign committee. Right now, candidates can collect funds from many different PACs—groups that bundle donations from businesses, unions, interest groups, and other organizations—and use that money for their campaigns. This bill would shut down that funding source entirely.

The bill also prohibits candidates from creating what's called a "leadership PAC." These are special PACs that politicians set up to collect money and then donate it to other candidates or causes, which helps build their influence within their party and across the political landscape. Under this bill, that practice would no longer be allowed. So if you're a senator thinking about running for president, you couldn't set up a PAC to collect money and distribute it to allies—you'd only be able to raise money directly through your own campaign committee.

The practical effect would be significant: candidates would lose a major funding stream that currently fuels many congressional campaigns. Instead of relying on PAC donations, they'd need to raise money directly from individual donors, through their own campaign committees. This could make it harder for candidates to fund their campaigns unless they have wealthy individual supporters or can raise money through grassroots efforts. The bill would take effect for any elections happening after 2022, meaning it wouldn't apply to campaigns that were already underway when it was passed.

No PAC Act

Khanna, Ro

No PAC Act This bill bars a candidate for Senator, Representative, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner from accepting an election contribution from any political committee other than an authorized committee of the candidate. Such a candidate may not establish a leadership Political Action Committee (PAC).