Government Relations

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is TRAVEL PAC?

A. The U.S. Travel Political Action Committee (TRAVEL PAC) is a nonprofit association of U.S. Travel members and employees established for the purpose of soliciting, collecting and disbursing political contributions as a means to support the election of pro-travel candidates to federal elective office. All contributions are voluntary, and no individual will ever face reprisal or retribution for not participating in TRAVEL PAC.

Q. What is a political action committee?

A. A political action committee is essentially a bank account that gives businesses, trade and professional associations and labor organizations a way to pool the resources of their members and employees to support candidates for federal elective office. Political action committees were authorized by federal law in the 1970s and virtually all trade, professional and labor organizations have now created political action committees.

Q. Why does the U.S. Travel Association need TRAVEL PAC?

A. U.S. Travel needs TRAVEL PAC to compete with powerful interest groups and other organizations that contribute millions of dollars annually to help elect candidates who support increased government regulation of the travel industry and laws that restrict the flow of travel to and within the United States.

Q. Why doesn’t the U.S. Travel Association just use its own money to make political contributions?

A. Federal election law prohibits corporate contributions to candidates for the U.S. Senate and House. In addition, U.S. Travel cannot use membership dues or other association revenues to financially support candidates.

Q. What kind of contributions can TRAVEL PAC accept?

A. By law, PACs can accept only personal contributions to provide financial support to candidates for U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives.

Q. Why should I contribute to TRAVEL PAC?

A. By supporting TRAVEL PAC, you can ensure that the U.S. Travel Association is able to help elect candidates who support the travel industry and are committed to removing barriers to travel. Our PAC will grow U.S. Travel’s allies and supporters on Capitol Hill by building relationships with pro-travel candidates, enhancing the visibility of U.S. Travel on Capitol Hill, promoting awareness of the new U.S. Travel brand and the uniqueness of our membership, and educating Congress about the critical role of travel to the U.S. economy.

Q. Why should I contribute to the PAC instead of giving to the candidate(s) of my choice?

A. Engaging in political support activities is vital to the entire travel and tourism community. As the U.S. Travel Association grows, so does our commitment and involvement to ensuring we have a strong and collective voice in political activities. Your contribution to TRAVEL PAC helps impact the public policy debates facing the entire travel community.

Q. How much of the contributions are used on overhead?

A. While the U.S. Travel Association cannot legally contribute to candidates, it is allowed to provide the administrative support required to establish and operate a political action committee of its own. Nearly all contributions to TRAVEL PAC are used for political contributions to travel-friendly candidates.

Q. How much can I contribute to TRAVEL PAC?

A. Federal law permits individuals to contribute up to $5,000 to TRAVEL PAC each calendar year.

Q. Is a contribution to TRAVEL PAC deductible on my personal income tax return?

A. No, PAC contributions are not tax deductible.

Q. How often can I make contributions?

A. You may contribute as often as you wish, as long as the sum of your contributions does not exceed the $5,000 limit during any calendar year.

Q. Will my contribution to TRAVEL PAC be disclosed publicly?

A. All TRAVEL PAC receipts and disbursements, in accordance with federal law, will be disclosed to the Federal Election Commission. Contributions from individuals totaling $200 or more annually will become public information.

Q. What kind of candidates does TRAVEL PAC support?

A. The U.S. Travel Association and TRAVEL PAC support federal candidates who embrace travel as an economic generator and conduit for public diplomacy, actively support legislation to remove barriers to travel, and value the promotion of travel as a U.S. export.

Q. Will the contributions be spent evenly among candidates from all parties?

A. Candidates supported through TRAVEL PAC contributions will be chosen on the basis of their qualifications, political trends and leadership changes and overall travel community concerns. Seeing as travel is a highly bipartisan industry, our bylaws require equal giving between Democrats and Republicans.

Q. Who decides which candidates to support?

A. The TRAVEL PAC Board of Directors, in consultation with U.S. Travel staff, collectively make the selection of candidates that TRAVEL PAC supports.

Q. How do I learn more or make a contribution?

A. Before you can make a contribution or get more information on TRAVEL PAC, the Federal Election Commission requires that we receive your permission in writing. It's easy and only takes a minute to fill out the prior approval form.