AmeriChem PAC Prior Approval Q&A
What is “Prior Approval” and why do I need to sign a form?
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) requires our political action committee, AmeriChem PAC, to obtain written approval from ACC member companies before it can solicit contributions from their employees.
Granting Prior Approval simply gives ACC permission to communicate to eligible employees you designate in your company information about AmeriChem PAC and the role it plays in advancing and protecting the chemical industry’s interests in Washington. It does not obligate your company or employees to support or contribute to AmeriChem PAC.
Can anyone from my company sign the Prior Approval form?
Prior Approval may be granted by anyone so authorized by your company. This includes the company’s chief executive, but may also include those designated to represent the company at ACC meetings.
Do I have to sign a Prior Approval form every year? Can I withdraw approval?
Prior Approval maybe granted for up to five (5) consecutive years by your company and may be withdrawn for future years at any time. Only one approval form is required per member.
Will AmeriChem PAC directly solicit my employees?
That’s up to you. By signing a Prior Approval form, you could allow AmeriChem PAC to solicit all principals and senior executives in your company, or only certain individuals in the company. AmeriChem PAC will tailor its solicitation to whatever group or individuals you designate.
Our company has its own federal PAC. Can we still contribute to AmeriChem PAC?
Yes. Even if your company has a federally registered PAC, your employees (and their spouses) may still contribute up to $5,000 each year to both AmeriChem PAC and to the company’s PAC.
If our company signs a Prior Approval form, can employees contribute to other PACs?
Yes. When a company signs an AmeriChem PAC Prior Approval form, it does not preclude company employees from contributing to a state PAC, federal PAC, candidate PAC, corporate PAC, or an ideological PAC. The only restrictions are that a company cannot give approval to more than one trade association PAC per calendar year and company employees may not be solicited to contribute to the PAC of a trade association which has not received the company’s prior approval.
Why should a company sign a Prior Approval form?
In practical terms, granting Prior Approval allows company employees who wish to support AmeriChem PAC the ability do to so, since AmeriChem PAC cannot solicit contributions without a signed Prior Approval form. Because AmeriChem PAC is the chemical industry’s most effective tool for helping to elect U.S. House and Senate members who support policies favorable to the industry, we need the support of every ACC Member to ensure the industry’s voice is heard on Capitol Hill.
