PAC spending exposed

last updated 8 January 2015

Political action committees affiliated with members of Congress spend most of their money on expenses such as meals and entertainment, not on helping other candidates, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. The nonpartisan think tank found that less than 40 percent of expenditures by the lawmakers’ PACs went to candidates; the bulk went to entertaining and other activities associated with fundraising.

In federal filings, most legislators’ PACs say their “primary activity” is bundling and distributing campaign contributions. But the center’s report found that more is spent on things like limousines, first-class travel, luxury hotels, and tickets to sporting events.