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What is a political action committee?

I believe there are about 3 to 4 different types. I found the definition of the types last night. I'll look and see if I can find them again and I'll post them.

May both an SSF and an nonconnected PAC contribute up to $5,000 to each of a candidate’s election campaigns?

Yes. Haven't check out the difference between the two. However, it appears to me that nonconnected PACs can spend much more if they are not in collusion with the candidate(s) while they support his or her candidacy as in producing tv commercials that support their viewpoints or possibly even directly naming them in the political ad thanks to court ruling or two, and the SCOTUS case Citizens United.

Recommended reading here from the FEC:

toolkit Nonconnected PAC Registration Toolkit

Essential:

FEC Form 1 - Statement of Organization [PDF]

Instructions for FEC Form 1 [PDF]

Screen-fillable FEC Form 1 [PDF]
Screen fillable FEC Form 1 with audio instructions [PDF]

Recommended:

Committee Treasurers Brochure [PDF]
Campaign Guide for Nonconnected Committees [PDF]

Campaign Guide Supplement [PDF]

Compliance with Laws Outside the FEC's Jurisdiction [PDF]
Special Notices on Political Ads and Solicitations Brochure [PDF]
Partnerships Brochure [PDF]

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From this page:

http://www.fec.gov/info/toolkit.shtml#nonconnected

Well duh there it is... from your post.

"Basically, SSFs are political committees established and administered by corporations, labor unions, membership organizations or trade associations. These committees can only solicit contributions from individuals associated with connected or sponsoring organization. By contrast, nonconnected committees—as their name suggests—are not sponsored by or connected to any of the aforementioned entities and are free to solicit contributions from the general public. For additional information, consult our Separate Segregated Funds and Nonconnected Committees fact sheet."

The examples that comes to mind...that (SSFs)labor unions use funds raised from 'union dues' and corporations use 'profits' to support political candidates, while FR would be soliciting from the general public, which would fall under being a nonconnected committee.