Major corporations are finding ways to sidestep their pledges from January to withhold campaign contributions for GOP lawmakers who objected to the 2020 presidential election results.
Dozens of companies said after the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol that they would stop donating to the 147 Republicans who voted to overturn the results, but recent financial disclosures show some are now making direct contributions to the House and Senate GOP campaign arms that dole out funds to those same lawmakers.
Tech giant Intel Corp., for example, contributed $15,000 from its political action committee (PAC) to the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) last month.
Health insurance company Cigna, which said it would halt donations to lawmakers who “encouraged or supported violence,” donated $15,000 in February to the campaign arm of Senate Republicans, the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC).
Both companies defended their contributions, arguing they’re still adhering to bans on direct donations to those lawmakers. Critics point out that the end result is the same — more corporate money for Republicans who objected to the election results.
“Intel and Cigna are a prime example: Money given to the Republican Party apparatus will clearly also fund those who denied election certification,” said Lisa Gilbert, executive vice president at Public Citizen. “While not directly breaking their pledge, they are undermining it.”
Intel said its policy from January hasn’t changed.
“Intel divides its political contributions evenly among Republicans and Democrats, including individual candidates, campaign committees and Governors Associations. We continuously reevaluate our contributions to ensure that they align with our values, policies and priorities,” a spokesperson told The Hill.
……..
- Discussion
-
NEW: Companies looking to sidestep vows to not support GOP lawmakers who objected to election certification https://t.co/ERZgEH7xer pic.twitter.com/otLKOaaFhw
— The Hill (@thehill) March 27, 2021
Well, I knew these companies wouldn’t stop altogether or would find a back door way to donate. Campaign donations have been part of doing business for a long time.
I used to work for lawyers. Law firms had their own PACs or they would team up with other firms in a PAC. And like Intel, they donated to both Republican and Democrat candidates.
When it comes down to it, the responsibility for effecting change — in this case ridding us of the GOP — will rest with us voters. We have to vote out the Trump cult.
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.