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Corporations, labor unions and other interest groups can organize
political action committees (PACs) to raise money to support or
oppose candidates. Between 1999 and 2000, the chemical industry
gave more than $2.25 million to federal candidates and parties through
42 political action committees.
The first PAC was born in 1944, when the Congress of Industrial
Organizations (CIO) formed a committee to re-elect Franklin D.
Roosevelt. As with all PACs, this one originated as a means of circumventing
campaign contribution legislation. The CIO PAC represented union
interests, but was barred by the Smith Connally Act of 1943 from
accepting union treasury funds. Instead, it accepted individual
funds from union members.
Today, there are thousands of PACs, most of them representing single
corporations, unions or trade associations in every major industry.
As with the original CIO committee, funding for these PACs cannot
come from corporate, union or association treasuries. PAC funding
comes primarily from individuals - who may give up to $5,000 each
year to any one PAC - and from other PACs.
In any given year, a PAC may contribute as follows at the federal
level: up to $15,000 to any national party committee; up to $5,000
to any federal candidate; and up to $5,000 to any other PAC. In
addition, PACs may spend unlimited amounts on advertising and other
media that support or oppose issues or candidates relevant to their
mission.
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| Chemical
& Related Manufacturing, Top 10 PAC Contributions to Federal Candidates,
1999-2000 |
 |
|
PAC
Name
|
|
Full
Name and Affiliation
|
|
Affiliated
Organization Select Products or Activities
|
|
Total
Contribution
|
|
| |
BASF Corp
|
|
BASF CORPORATION
EMPLOYEES POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
|
|
Chemicals,
plastics, colorants and pigments, automotive and industrial coatings,
crop-protection agents, oils and gas
|
|
$214,250
|
| |
FMC Corp
|
|
FMC CORPORATION
GOOD GOVERNMENT PROGRAM
|
|
Pest control,
lithium-based batteries, refrigeration systems, industrial chemicals,
food technology, biopolymers, agricultural products
|
|
$212,100
|
| |
Dow Chemical/HQ
Unit
|
|
POLITICAL
ACTION COMMITTEE OF EMPLOYEES OF THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY (PACE)
|
|
Adhesives
and sealants, chemical processing, cleaning agents, cosmetics, paintings,
plastics, rubber
|
|
$179,325
|
| |
Procter &
Gamble
|
|
PROCTER &
GAMBLE COMPANY GOOD GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE, THE (AKA P&G PAC)
|
|
Baby care,
beauty care, feminine care, health care, fabric and home care, food and
beverages, tissues and towels
|
|
$138,610
|
| |
Dupont Co
|
|
DUPONT GOOD
GOVERNMENT FUND
|
|
Herbicides,
insecticide, fungicide, carpets, resins, fabrics, film, insulation, flouro-chemicals,
cleaning agents
|
|
$120,000
|
|
| |
American
Chemistry Council
|
|
AMERICAN
CHEMISTRY COUNCIL POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE-ALSO DOES BUSINESS AS CHEMICAL
MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION (CMA) PAC
|
|
American
Chemistry Council (ACC), which changed its name from Chemical Manufacturers
Association in 2000, is the principal association for the chemical industry
|
|
$110,150
|
| |
GAF Corp
|
|
GAF CORPORATION
AND INTERNATIONAL SPECIALTY PRODUCTS INC
|
|
Coatings,
adhesives, asphalt and other roofing products
|
|
$94,500
|
| |
Praxair Inc.
|
|
PRAXAIR INC
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
|
|
Industrial
gases, surfaces, coatings and polishing products
|
|
$83,000
|
| |
Solutia
|
|
SOLUTIA INC
CITIZENSHIP FUND A/K/A SOLUTIA CITIZENSHIP FUND
|
|
Epoxy resins
and hardeners, fibers, solvents, carpets, film
|
|
$63,668
|
| |
Rohm &
Haas Co
|
|
ROHM AND
HAAS COMPANY EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION FOR BETTER GOVERNMENT
|
|
Herbicides,
insecticides, anti-microbial protection, plastic adhesives, sealants,
varnishes, polyurethane
|
|
$60,500
|
For full data and methodology go:
Chemical
& Related Manufacturing, PAC Contributions to Federal Candidates,
1999-2000
Credit: Information and figures provided by the Center
for Responsive Politics (CRP) |
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