A PAC, or a “political action committee,” allows groups of people with common interests to come together with a unified voice and to be a reliable source of information on issues being debated and decided by Congress. PACs allow a greater number of people to be more actively engaged in the political process. More than 10,000 PACs operate in the United States and represent a variety of trade groups, institutions, organizations, and individuals. Federal PACs are required to register with, and are governed by the rules of, the Federal Election Commission (FEC). 

ASCO Association PAC (or the PAC) is the federal political action committee established by the Association for Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the nation’s leading advocate for high-quality cancer care and robust cancer research. 

ASCO Association PAC provides us with a collective voice in the political arena by allowing us to support the campaigns of candidates who understand the importance of cancer care and research as well as the needs of individuals with cancer. With so many voices attempting to influence healthcare policy daily, it is important to access all available advocacy tools to educate and support lawmakers who share our vision.

Association members who are (1) United States citizens or legal residents of the United States possessing a green card; and (2) are eligible to vote in ASCO elections and/or pay ASCO dues may contribute to the PAC. Contributions to the PAC will be screened, and the PAC will return any contributions from persons who are not members of the Association or within its restricted class of contributors. All contributions are strictly voluntary (they are not required of members and members may refuse to contribute without fear of reprisal) and must come from members’ personal financial accounts. Contributions to the PAC are used in connection with federal elections. Federal law requires the PAC to use its best efforts to collect and report the name, mailing address, occupation and employer of persons who contribute in excess of $200 per calendar year. Contributions are not deductible for federal income tax purposes.

The PAC supports the advocacy priorities set by the Association’s Government Relations Committee by allowing for expanded opportunities to educate legislators on the current realities of the U.S. cancer research enterprise and the cancer care delivery system. The Association’s advocacy priorities aim to shape legislation that impacts our members’ ability to provide high-quality affordable cancer care to the approximately 1.8 million people in the United States who will be diagnosed with cancer this year. You can find the current advocacy priorities here. And you can find current specific legislation we support here. 

The PAC is led by the PAC Advisory Council.  Members of the PAC Advisory Council are appointed by the Board of Directors of the Association for Clinical Oncology.

The PAC must abide by the limits set by the Federal Election Commission. The maximum a membership association PAC can give is $5,000 per election.