WASHINGTON (July 25, 20160 — ASPIRE PAC is the new name of the CAPAC Leadership PAC.
ASPIRE PAC stands for “ASian Americans and Pacific Islanders Rising and Empowering Political Action Committee.” This PAC, which was founded four years ago, works to ensure fair representation in the U.S. Congress by increasing the number of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) legislators and supporting federal candidates with large AAPI constituencies who support the AAPI community.
“ASPIRE PAC embodies our efforts to support and elect more AAPIs into positions where they can be stronger advocates for our community,” said Rep. Grace Meng, chair of the ASPIRE PAC. “When we have AAPI members in the U.S. Congress, we can be the voices for our communities, which have been underrepresented for far too long. During this election year and beyond, we aspire to support those who back the AAPI community and we aspire to inspire more AAPIs to get involved in this process.”
In April 2016, ASPIRE PAC elected Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06) as its chair. Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27), the founder of this PAC, continues to chair the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), the official organization for Members of Congress.
“We created this PAC four years ago in order to help elect those to Congress who are committed to improving the lives of AAPI families and communities across this country,” said Rep. Judy Chu. “The upcoming presidential election makes clear the need for all AAPIs to stand together and raise our voices for issues of importance to our community, including defending our civil rights, protecting health care, and improving our immigration system. ASPIRE PAC will help strengthen the voice of AAPIs in Washington DC and all across this country.”
At nearly 20 million strong and representing 6 percent of the total U.S. population, the AAPI population grew 46% from 2002 to 2014 and it is the fastest growing population in the United States. The U.S. Census projects 150 percent growth between now and 2050. In just the last 10 years, there has been a steady increase of viable federal candidates of AAPI descent. Today, there are 13 AAPI Members of Congress.
Contributions or gifts to ASPIRE PAC are not deductible for income tax purposes. Individuals and federal political action committees may contribute up to $5,000 per calendar year. Federal law prohibits contributions from corporations, labor organizations, and national banks; from any person contributing another person’s funds; from foreign nationals who lack permanent resident status; and from federal government contractors. Federal law requires us to use our best efforts to obtain and report the name, address, occupation and the name of the employer of individuals whose contributions aggregate more than $200 in a calendar year.
