Final answer:
PACs influence the United States Congress by financially supporting candidates, prioritizing those with power and committee relevance. FECA enabled this by allowing PACs to contribute to federal election campaigns, raising concerns about the sway of special interests. PACs' significance spans financial influence and the ability to impact policymaking and public trust.
Step-by-step explanation:
Political Action Committees, or PACs, play a significant role in the United States Congress by influencing lawmakers through campaign contributions. Many interest groups prioritize backing candidates with power, often favoring incumbents and particularly those who serve on congressional committees relevant to their interests. This is evidenced by the fact that during the Enron scandal in 2002, a majority of the congressional committee members investigating the issue had received contributions from Enron or its accounting firm.
PACs gain influence by ensuring that candidates who can affect legislation beneficial to their interests are financially supported. The Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) enabled PACs to donate funds to federal election candidates, which accounts for approximately one-third of the funds received by candidates for the House of Representatives and one-fifth for the Senate. However, this influence has raised concerns about the dominance of special interests over the will of the voters, potentially leading to policies that benefit a select few at the expense of the broader public.
Moreover, legislators often consider the desires of interest groups and businesses because of their financial contributions and voting power. Therefore, the significance of PACs in Congress encompasses not only financial aspects but also the direct impact they can have on legislation, policymaking, and overall public trust in the democratic process.