What You Need To Know About ADAPAC

What You Need To Know About ADAPAC

#1: ADAPAC was set up to promote and further the profession of dietetics.

ADAPAC began in 1981 with the purpose of supporting ADA in its efforts to build contacts and influence and grow the profession with legislation. Without ADAPAC, ADA would be less likely to meet with candidates for US Congress and educate them on the issues of food, nutrition and health. ADAPAC is a vehicle that helps ADA succeed in its advocacy efforts, and in turn helps ADA advance the profession of dietetics.

#2: ADAPAC focuses on many issues important to you.

ADAPAC is not a single-issue political action committee. ADAPAC has represented you, the members of the American Dietetic Association, for more than 26 years. It exists to advance the public policy priorities of ADA. Currently, the top six priority areas are:

  • Obesity,
  • Child nutrition,
  • Medicare and Medical Nutrition Therapy,
  • Aging,
  • Nutrition monitoring, and
  • Nutrition research.

This list is not exclusive, and as these issues change over time, so will the issues promoted by ADAPAC.

#3: ADAPAC funds are used solely for contributions to candidates to the US Congress who support ADA’s mission and legislative priorities.

ADAPAC raises money to give to candidates for the US Congress who support ADA’s mission, vision and public policy priorities. Funds are not used to pay for lobbyist or grassroots activities. Some funds are used for administrative expenses, too.

#4: ADAPAC gives to both Republicans and Democrats.

The ADAPAC Board of Directors does not take into account a candidate’s party affiliation, ideological stance or extent to which he or she leans “left” or “right.” Criteria used to determine who receives ADAPAC funds include the following:

  • The candidate's past or present support for ADA's public policy agenda,
  • The perceived need for the candidate's support in the future,
  • The candidate's leadership position or committee assignment, and
  • The nature of the event associated with the contribution, if applicable.

#5: All ADAPAC contributions are approved by ADA members.

The ADAPAC Board of Directors consists of nine people, six are ADA members. Each member on the Board serves for three years. Each and every donation made to a political candidate is researched and presented to the ADAPAC Board. The ADAPAC Board makes the final decisions.

#6: ADA needs a political action committee to be successful in political venues.

Your annual membership dues to ADA do not go to ADAPAC. Under federal campaign finance law, dues cannot be used for political action purposes (ie, ADA funds cannot be used to contribute to a candidate, only funds raised by ADAPAC can be used for that purpose).

ADAPAC is important because ADA needs to compete with other healthcare, food and nutrition groups also vying for Congress’ attention.

Unfortunately, nutrition is often outgunned when it comes to political action. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, agribusiness contributed nearly $20 million in the last Congressional election cycle to federal candidates. The largest contributing sector was crop producers and processors, but food processors, livestock, dairy, poultry and eggs held their own with almost $7 million in total.

In the food and beverage industry, 32 PACs contributed nearly $3.8 million to federal candidates seeking office in the 2006 cycle.

This does not even come close to other health-care professional PACs associated with doctors, nurses, physical therapists, chiropractors, speech pathologists, occupational therapists and others who contributed in total $54 million in the last cycle.

When compared to these other health care groups ADAPAC ranks 36 in contributions. From 2005 to 2006, the top health care profession group was the American Medical Association which contributed over $2 million towards candidates in comparison to ADAPAC’s total amount of $124,575 for the same period.

It is true that nutrition advocates generally do not show up as key players on political action lists. ADA is a leader within the nutrition community for having a PAC, and it has served us well, making ADA one of the top political players in the field.

Having a PAC is essential to having our voices heard and our issues kept in front of the policy makers.

#7: Supporting candidates helps foster relationships with a member of Congress and his or her staff.

In politics, there is no such thing as “quid pro quo” (Latin for “this for that”). No political contribution guarantees a vote or even support for an issue. Rather, supporting candidates helps foster relationships with the member of Congress and his or her staff, which in turn creates an increased awareness on their part of ADA’s issues and priorities. This increased awareness often leads to support of a particular issue. It is especially powerful when ADA members who are constituents help raise that awareness level.

#8: Any contribution, big or small, makes a difference.

Making a contribution of any amount, big or small, is the easiest way to get involved.

And there are other ways to get involved beyond giving a financial contribution. You can volunteer to speak about ADAPAC or set up an ADAPAC booth at your state or local dietetic association meeting. You can even volunteer to attend a local fundraiser, sponsored by ADAPAC, for your member of Congress or senators.

#9: ADAPAC is regulated by the Federal Election Commission.

PACs are the most highly regulated form of political donations in the United States. The Federal Election Commission conducts a monthly audit on all political action committees to ensure that they are properly participating in the political process.

ADAPAC files monthly reports which are available on the FEC Web site for public viewing. If the FEC has any questions, ADAPAC will submit and amendment answering those questions.

#10: ADAPAC does not take money from corporations.

Under federal law, ADAPAC is not allowed to take contributions from incorporated entities. This means it cannot accept money from any company, large or small, public or private. ADAPAC may only accept contributions from individual ADA members via cash, personal check or personal credit card.