John,

New research from Issue One and Campaign Legal Center (CLC) shows that scores of lawmakers are misusing their leadership PAC funds to go to luxurious resorts and swanky restaurants most Americans can only dream about — rather than using these accounts to assist other candidates, political groups, or their parties as intended.

Instead, some politicians are amassing money from special interests in their leadership PACs to foot the bill for meals at fancy restaurants, trips to elite resorts, rounds of golf at premier courses, and more.

This is the “pay-to-play” system at its worst, and this practice of special interests paying for politicians to live lavish lifestyles must stop.

Tell Congress to close the loophole that allows politicians to use leadership PAC funds to enjoy perks of lavish living.

Congress and the Federal Election Commission (FEC) must rein in the abuse of leadership PACs and prohibit leadership PACs from being slush funds for politicians to pursue lavish lifestyles.

We, alongside CLC, have urged both Congress and the FEC to address leadership PAC misuse, including submitting a rulemaking petition to the FEC in 2018, which remains pending, asking the Commission to clarify the regulations of the personal use of leadership PAC funds.

But there’s more work to do, and we’re going to continue to push for Congress and the FEC to close the loophole that allows lawmakers to abuse leadership PACs for personal use.

Add your name to tell Congress to close the loophole that allows politicians to use leadership PACs for personal expenses.

Thanks for your support,

Michael Beckel
Research Director, Issue One