The corporations trying to save Kevin McCarthy and the insurrection caucus.

Ford, Walmart, J&J, T-Mobile, Chevron, and other major corporations are supporting McCarthy’s effort to re-elect the 147 election objectors.

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Hours after an angry mob aimed at the U.S. Capitol determined to stop the work of our nation’s democracy armed with flex cuffs, bear spray, firearms, and a gallows, Kevin McCarthy and 70 percent of his caucus voted to overturn the November presidential election. Soon after, corporate America spoke up.

Over 170 corporations publicly suspended their political contributions to the 147 members of Congress who voted to decertify the election results. Dozens more of their affiliated trade associations did the same. It was a promising show of force from the business community and a sign that real accountability was afoot.

According to quarterly filings submitted in April, nearly all corporations kept their promise with a few exceptions like Toyota who gave directly to 42 of the 147 despite initially committing to suspending contributions. Of the 1,100 corporate PACs who gave to the 147 election objectors over the 2019–20 cycle, less than 70 gave in the first quarter of 2021.

As a result, the election objectors raised 80 percent less from corporate, trade association, and labor PACs than they did at the same point in the 2019–20 cycle with most not able to make up that gap. These House members are looking to Kevin McCarthy and the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), the McCarthy controlled campaign war chest for the House to fill their campaign’s financial holes.

McCarthy has always been a prolific fundraiser and it is the primary reason he was elected to lead the House Republican caucus. The first quarter numbers were not good for his members and he’s looking to bring back corporate PAC contributions by calling them out for corporate “wokeness”, diminishing and covering up President Trump’s culpability for the riots, and continuing to block an independent investigation into the events on and around January 6th.

According to the most recent monthly filings submitted earlier in May, McCarthy still has some work to do. McCarthy’s campaign, leadership PAC, and the NRCC, which he effectively controls, combined have raised $2.6 million less from corporate, labor, and trade PACs than what they raised at this point last cycle. But there are signs that corporate giving is starting to pick up. Several corporations are reversing course on their initial commitment and others who made no commitment are following their lead with contributions to McCarthy’s campaign chests. The largest increase in giving is to the NRCC, which allows corporate PACs to avoid making contributions directly to any election objector and give to the larger House Republican campaign coffer. The problem with that, however, is these contributions will help to elect House incumbents 70 percent of which voted to overturn the election.

Source: CAP Action Analysis

This change of heart from the business community is not due to any work to repair the damage from McCarthy, his actions since January 6th have defended the aims of the insurrectionists’ goals by punishing members in his conference who confronted the former president’s lies about the election and defended those who pushed them. Instead corporations are hoping the American public won’t notice.

So with that here’s a list of corporations who are supporting McCarthy and the NRCC after the events of 1/6:

TRANSPORTATION/AUTOMOTIVE

“Ford condemns the violent actions that happened this week, which contradict the ideals of a free and fair election and a peaceful transition of power. Our employee PAC contributes to candidates who support policies critical to Ford’s employees, communities and jobs. Events over the past year have underscored the need for a broader, ongoing discussion about other relevant considerations.”

TECH/TELECOM

It “will not contribute to members of Congress who voted against certification of the Electoral College results.”

“Oracle PAC has decided to pause contributions to anyone who voted against certifying the Nov. 2020 elections.”

“The assault on the U.S. Capitol and on democracy was unacceptable. T-Mobile has supported many elected officials in a bipartisan approach to advancing a policy agenda that keeps the U.S. on the forefront of wireless technology. In light of recent events, we intend to reevaluate our PAC giving, and we look forward to working with the incoming administration.”

BANKING/FINANCE

“Cigna PAC will discontinue support of any elected official who encouraged or supported violence, or otherwise hindered a peaceful transition.”

PHARMACEUTICAL

The corporation would be “cutting off donations to members of the Senate and House of Representatives who objected to certifying any state electoral results.”

RETAILERS

“In light of last week’s attack on the U.S. Capitol, Walmart’s political action committee is indefinitely suspending contributions to those members of Congress who voted against the lawful certification of state electoral college votes.”

PAC giving is “under review based on the events of the past few weeks.”

DEFENSE CONTRACTORS

its “employee PAC is currently paused while they review the budget and any governance changes to possibly implement in the new cycle.”

UTILITIES/ENERGY

“We were shocked and dismayed by the events at the Capitol last week. Duke Energy is taking this very seriously and taking a pause on all federal political contributions for 30 days. During this time, we are evaluating Duke Energy-supported candidates’ values and actions to ensure they align to our values and goals. The way members of Congress conducted themselves in this critical time will be an important consideration in future support.”

“The GEPAC board has voted to suspend donations to those who voted to oppose the Electoral College results. This is not a decision we made lightly, but is one we believe is important to ensure that our future contributions continue to reflect our company’s values and commitment to democracy.”

LAW/PR FIRMS

HEALTH CARE

MINING

OTHER

“We continue our practice of regularly reviewing our policies, procedures and expenditures for political activities, including political contributions. The events of the past week will be part of our review process. Chevron engages with many people and organizations that take positions on a range of topics. We are not always aligned with all their views, but it is important for us to be part of discussions on important issues, including respect for the rule of law. As we said last week, the violence in Washington, D.C. tarnishes a two-century tradition of respect for the rule of law. We look forward to engaging with President-Elect Biden and his administration to move the nation forward.”

“Altria strongly condemns the violence that occurred at the U.S. Capitol. January 6 was a dark day in American history, and we look forward to the peaceful transition of power that will occur on January 20. We have a long history of supporting policy makers on both sides of the aisle because participation in the political and public policy processes is vital to our business, and serves the best interests of our shareholders, employees, trade partners and adult consumers. We have spent the past few days discussing the right path forward and have decided, at this time, to suspend all political contributions while we re-examine our existing contribution criteria and guiding principles.”

“Words alone are not enough. We are committed to action.”

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Hard-hitting news + analysis paired with action on the issues that matter most. Working alongside @AmProg.

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CAP Action

Hard-hitting news + analysis paired with action on the issues that matter most. Working alongside @AmProg.