US Senator Abdul El-Sayed launches ‘Habibi’ political action committee

What the report says

Michigan Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed has launched a new leadership political action committee called Habibi PAC, according to a Federal Election Commission filing dated Thursday and reported by Al Jazeera. The committee was registered days after El-Sayed became the first Muslim member of the US Senate, and it is separate from his own campaign. As a leadership PAC, it can raise money to support other candidates and political organizations, which can also help a lawmaker build influence within their party.

Al Jazeera reported that El-Sayed, a Democrat and the son of Egyptian immigrants, used the Arabic word “habibi” frequently during his campaign and in his Detroit victory speech. In that speech, he referenced Vice President JD Vance, who will swear him in when the new Senate term begins in January. The name of the PAC appears to echo that campaign theme.

The article places the launch in the wider context of a costly 2026 US midterm cycle and a growing number of newly elected Democrats creating leadership PACs. It noted that such committees are commonly used to give to fellow candidates, party groups and other political committees. Al Jazeera also said El-Sayed campaigned on reducing the role of money in politics and that his victory came after a race marked by hostile attacks from Republican figures, including unfounded claims about his loyalty.