What
is a PAC?
In the
1970's, in an effort to reform political campaign fundraising,
Congress authorized the establishment of political action
committees, or PACs.
Today, over 4,000 PACs (for nearly every cause)
raise money and educate Congress in the hopes of affecting
public policy. Operating under strict campaign finance
regulations, PACs are legitimate media through which individual
citizens can direct their contributions to support federal
candidates who represent their views on issues of concern to
them.
I
give to the UJA and other Israel causes. Why a PAC?
The answer is one word: leverage. While it is true that every dollar
one gives directly to any pro-Israel organization or institution
is important, no organizational fundraising
effort can match the resources and generosity of the US
government (organizational fundraising can be measured in
hundreds of millions of dollars; US aid is measured in
billions). Fundamentally, in addition to educating Members
of Congress on the issues, we also work to elect and re-elect
Members of Congress who support a strong US-Israel relationship
in the first place. That's leverage.
How
is NORPAC different from AIPAC?
The
American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) is not a
political action committee. AIPAC is a registered lobbying
organization that works with elected officials. Unlike political
action committees, AIPAC cannot contribute to campaigns nor rate
or endorse candidates. So, while AIPAC is critically important
in fostering strong US support for Israel, NORPAC—which helps
get supportive candidates (re)elected in the first place—has a
separate and distinct role.
Isn't
a single-issue PAC very parochial?
Most
candidates focus their campaigns on "domestic" issues and have
little or no direct experience with Middle East issues. In
contrast to corporate or labor PACs, NORPAC is not motivated by
profit or financial gain. By focusing on the single issue of
Israel - its security, economic well-being, and importance to
the US - we can utilize our time and resources in the most
effective way possible.
Why give to candidates through
NORPAC?
When you just
send to a candidate without attaching the NORPAC name, your
donation may become “lost money” to the pro-Israel cause. By
donating through NORPAC, you will get credit for the donation
and the candidate will know one of the overriding reasons you
donated is because you believe in supporting the US-Israel
relationship. If you are inclined to send a donation to
candidates who solicit you directly, please contact NORPAC so
you can either send your donation through us or we can give you
a letter to send along with your donation ensuring your money is
not lost in the shuffle.
Why give a
membership donation to
NORPAC?
NORPAC is a nearly all-volunteer
operation, and its officers work tirelessly to ensure each
dollar goes a long way. The vast majority of money NORPAC raises
is sent directly to candidates supporting the US-Israel
relationship. While it would be impossible to host fundraising
events for every deserving candidate, your membership donation
enables NORPAC to donate to multiple pro-Israel candidates who are
not supported through formal events. Your donation also allows
NORPAC to educate Members of Congress, mobilize activists
through Action Alerts, facilitate our Key Contact program, hold
student programming and more.
