After many years of working to influence federal legislation on behalf
of the veterans it represented, in 1979 the VFW established a political action committee
(VFW-PAC). A political action committee is the only legal way that the VFW, as a group,
can take an active role in federal elections. Through the PAC, members can express support
for, contribute to, or spend money on behalf of candidates for election to the offices of
President of the United States, United States Senator, and United States Representative.
Funding is entirely by voluntary personal contributions sent directly to the PAC or
through VFW posts and auxiliaries. At present, there are over a million active VFW-PAC
donors.
Through its role in federal elections, the VFW-PAC strives to accomplish two goals: 1) the defense and promotion of veterans' entitlements; and 2) support of national defense issues. Because of its special concerns about these issues, the PAC has been labeled a "special interest" group. Many consider special interest groups to be unethical or even illegal. The VFW-PAC is neither. All PACs are under constant scrutiny by the Federal Election Commission, and their activities and contributions are closely monitored. Violations of election laws are quickly and severely acted upon.
Some prospective PAC members worry that the PAC engages in "vote buying." But contributions go only to legislators who have already proven that they support the PAC's positions. When a candidate has no voting record to indicate his position on the issues, the PAC asks for a written position statement from the candidate. Financial support and endorsement is then based upon his or her response.
PACs in general, and the VFW-PAC in particular, often reveal a legislator's true stand on an issue by monitoring every vote taken in Congress. Based on roll call, or recorded votes (some are taken by voice only), the VFW-PAC rates every senator or representative on his or her record pertaining to veterans' benefits and national defense issues. Releases containing the information about each legislator's vote are then distributed throughout the entire VFW network. Endorsements are made according to the following policy:
Endorsement Policy, 1990
- Members of Congress must show support of both: (a) Veterans Legislation and (b) strong National Security. The procedure for scoring shall be based on roll call votes in the respective houses of Congress. Abstentions shall be considered a vote against VFW interests unless special considerations are approved by the Board of Directors.
- Members of Congress running for re-election who have a total score of 70 percent or higher in VFW-PAC endorsement scoring may receive the PAC endorsement for a given election year. This endorsement may consist of a monetary contribution to be determined by the VFW-PAC Board of Directors.
- Members of Congress running for re-election who achieve a total score of 60 percent or higher in VFW-PAC endorsement scoring may be eligible for a monetary contribution to retire campaign debts and other fund raisers after the election, provided they win re-election. The total contribution to any individual in this category shall be determined by the VFW-PAC Board of Directors. Contributions will be made by the PAC Director only in response to formal solicitations.
- VFW Department Commanders and VFW-PAC State Chairmen will be asked to present recommendations, in writing, to the Board of Directors as to whether or not the VFW-PAC should endorse candidates running for Congress from their respective states. Final decisions will be made by the VFW-PAC Board of Directors.
- VFW Department Commanders and VFW-PAC State Chairmen may be asked for endorsement recommendations, in writing, when an incumbent member of the House of Representatives is running for the Senate or there is an open seat in either House of Congress. Final decisions will be made by the VFW-PAC Board of Directors.
- Each member of Congress shall be rated based on his or her previous term in Congress (2 years for the House of Representatives and 6 years for the Senate members).
- Final determinations and actions on all issues and endorsements shall be the responsibility of the VFW-PAC Board of Directors.
Legislators who score the highest on VFW issues receive an Honor Roll Endorsement. They receive a contribution from the VFW-PAC and a VFW-PAC news release timed for maximum benefit to their campaign for election. So, too, do Second Tier endorsees. Non-incumbent candidates are considered for endorsement if the congressional seat has been vacated or if the incumbent's voting record is unsatisfactory.
Other VFW-PAC Activities
Besides endorsing candidates, the VFW-PAC also encourages other programs designed to involve VFW members and their local posts in the political process. These include:
- Generating VFW attendance at senators' and representatives' "Town Hall Meetings" throughout their states and districts.
- Hosting U.S. Senators and Representatives at VFW functions.
- Registering the VFW community to vote.
- Setting up candidate forums.
- Distributing information to VFW members on voting procedures and on where the candidates stand on the issues.
- Getting the VFW members involved in political action.
- Providing absentee ballots to disabled members.
- Getting VFW members to the polls on Election Day, whether by a reminder call or transporting them by car.
Politics being what it is and voters being what they are, the future of VFW-PAC will likely depend on how many of its detractors join the ranks of the believers. If most VFW members supported the program, it would truly become a powerful force in the political scene. But if assistance or contributions drop, the VFW-PAC could become just another program that failed.
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