ASHI InspectPAC FAQs

What is a PAC?

A PAC is a Political Action Committee designed to allow American citizens to exercise their constitutional right and need to participate in the political process, but in a way that is controlled and allows for full disclosure and openness in the campaign finance process.  Under law, non-profit associations are allowed to form PACs.  A PAC is a very efficient and cost-effective way for the membership to combine their forces and help support candidates who reflect their business views.

What is InspectPAC?

InspectPAC, the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) Political Action Committee (PAC), is the voluntary, non-partisan PAC of ASHI. It is the only federal PAC that directly represents the interest of the home inspection profession in our nation's political system.  InspectPAC was established in December of 2002 by a vote of the ASHI Board of Directors.

What is the purpose of InspectPAC?

InspectPAC raises money to help elect and re-elect candidates to Congress who have an understanding of the home inspection profession, and who are supportive of our profession. InspectPAC encourages participation in the political process by pooling financial resources to help elect qualified federal candidates whose views and voting records reflect the interests of ASHI and its members. InspectPAC membership promotes responsibility in government and encourages participation of the ASHI membership in the political and elective process.

Is a PAC Really Necessary for ASHI?

Regardless of political views, some may have mixed feelings about campaign finance matters.  The reality is our system works better when more responsible people get involved, and certainly our needs are no less important than any other group of business leaders.  ASHI must be a part of that system in order to have a better shot at making an impact.  Hopefully, you have taken notice at the significant increase in the amount of federal activity ASHI is involved in.  The PAC will allow us to help elect candidates who recognize the importance of the home inspection profession.

How do I become a member and what are the benefits?

To join InspectPAC your company must first file an "authorization to solicit" form. At some point in time ASHI has either requested and received your permission to solicit a contribution to InspectPAC, or we are doing so now.  Without authorization, ASHI is not allowed to solicit a contribution to the PAC.

Your company's chief executive officer or principal ASHI company contact must sign it. Your authorization to solicit may only be granted to one association per calendar year.

• Following receipt of this authorization, you may then contribute to InspectPAC by simply filling out the attached donor form and mailing it back to InspectPAC with your check or credit card authorization.

By law, InspectPAC may accept personal contributions only; no corporate contributions are allowed.  Also by law, PAC contributions are not tax deductible.  Corporate contributions can, however, be made to the InspectPAC Administrative Fund which is used to operate the PAC.  No political contributions can be made with money from the Administrative Fund.

The Benefits of Contributing to InspectPAC.

• Give your profession a seat at the table.   Politics, like much of American life, is highly competitive.  The laws and policies of our government are determined by who is elected -- and how those representatives regard interest groups, some of which are our competitors and opponents.  InspectPAC will help us elect candidates who think about the importance of a strong home inspection profession. 
• Be involved: You have an opportunity to participate in the political process by helping to influence public policy issues that impact you as an ASHI member and the home inspection profession.
• Make sure your views count: You have much more impact in the political process as part of a collective voice.

It is important to understand that PAC contributions can never guarantee a particular policy outcome.  It is fair, however, to expect a more enhanced access in presenting ASHI’s viewpoints and policy proposals.

How are the contributions allocated and who makes those decisions?

Federal law and Federal Election Commission rules and regulations govern the use of funds collected for a PAC. Your contributions are used to support candidates and elected officials who understand and support our profession’s issues and concerns.

Contributions are disbursed to candidates who advocate issues of importance to ASHI and the home inspection profession. They are used to build relationships with candidates and to voice support or opposition to initiatives that affect our profession and your business. The contributions InspectPAC receives are vitally important in making ASHI an effective and productive force on Capitol Hill.  To view the list of contributions made through InspectPAC, visit www.fec.gov/disclosure.shtml and search the Disclosure Database for InspectPAC.

InspectPAC is overseen by ASHI’s Executive Director who serves as its Treasurer along with our federal lobbyist in Washington.  All decisions to allocate PAC money however, are made by ASHI’s Rapid Response Team which consists of the President, Legislative Committee Co-Chairs, Executive Director, Assistant Executive Director, and others knowledgeable individuals as necessary.  The following set of criteria is used to determine which candidates InspectPAC will contribute to:

Ethics and investigations.  Contributions are not recommended for any candidate known to be under an ethical cloud.  This criterion supersedes all others.

Committee membership.  Membership on key committees is a favorable factor.  Seniority positions are strongly favorable.  Lack of key committee memberships is neutral to negative.  

Leadership posts.  A position of party leadership (on or off the Hill), or participation in a key caucus or other Congress-related organization that is not opposed to client interests is a favorable factor.  Participation in groups opposed to client interests is a strongly negative factor unless extraordinary circumstances exist.

Seniority and re-election status.  Seniority is favorable.  An expectation of success in the next re-election cycle is a requirement. 

Track record of support for the profession.  A very strong favorable.

Special relationship with an association member.  A very strong favorable.

A recommendation from an association member.  A favorable but may be overruled by other considerations listed herein.

Special legislative skill.  A favorable if the candidate is inclined to be sympathetic and supportive of client positions.  A lack of legislative skill is a mild to moderate negative.

Public position on PACs.  Statements by candidates criticizing business involvement in campaigns are a negative.

Some relationship to the inspection profession.  A strong favorable.

Pro-business/anti-business tendencies.  A pro-business record in either party is favorable.  An anti-business record in either party is negative.

How much of my money goes to InspectPAC administrative costs?

The Federal Election Commission allows administrative and operating expenses of InspectPAC to be paid by ASHI and a separate InspectPAC Administrative Fund. This allows 100 percent of all dollars for a federal PAC to go to candidates and to be used for campaign purposes.

Does InspectPAC buy votes?

InspectPAC does not buy votes with its contributions. There is no quid pro quo for contributions. It simply supports candidates whom we hope will be sympathetic to our issues. All we expect from elected officials is an opportunity to be heard, to inform them, and to make our profession’s point of view known. The Federal Election Commission limits PACs to a $5,000 contribution per election (primary and general), per candidate.

Am I required to join?

Participation in InspectPAC is completely voluntary. In fact, federal law prohibits any forced participation and you may refuse to contribute without reprisal. The guidelines mentioned are merely suggestions.

You are free to contribute more or less than the guidelines suggested and ASHI will never favor nor disadvantage you by reason of the amount of your contribution or your decision not to contribute.

Can my company participate?

Under federal law, InspectPAC may not accept corporate contributions.  Only personal contributions are allowed.  However, a separate account, the InspectPAC Administrative Fund can accept corporate contributions.  The law allows that this separate account can be used to defray our fundraising and operating expenses.  Doing so will conserve InspectPAC money, which we want to restrict solely to supporting federal candidates. 

There is no limit on the amount an individual or corporation can give to the InspectPAC Administrative Fund. All contributions received from a company or corporation will automatically be diverted into the Administrative Fund.

Why is the address for InspectPAC different than ASHI’s?

In order to maintain complete separation of funds for the PAC and for ASHI, we have secured the services of an outside company to collect contributions and maintain all records and financial accounts for InspectPAC.

What if I have additional questions?

You may contact the InspectPAC Treasurer by calling 1-847-954-3182 or via email at InspectPAC@ashi.org.