WASHINGTON, D.C.Government watchdog Accountable.US’ analysis of Federal Election Commission (FEC) campaign filings from Fortune 500 companies and corporate trade associations shows that they donated over $630,000 in September alone to members of the “Sedition Caucus” in Congress — bringing the 2021 total to over $5.8 million.  

The report comes as a bombshell story from Rolling Stone reveals that several Republican members of Congress allegedly held planning meetings with those behind the “Stop the Steal” rally on January 6th that led to the deadly attack on the Capitol Building.

“The deadly assault on the nation’s Capitol forever damaged our democracy, yet many corporations have done more than forgive and forget – they’re rewarding the lawmakers who helped instigate sedition. Many companies even want to have it both ways: declaring support for democracy while quietly shoveling money to those who tried to end it,” said Kyle Herrig, president of Accountable.US. “Corporations continuing to donate to members of the Sedition Caucus have made clear nothing trumps their need to hold political influence, not even a healthy democracy for their customers, employers, and shareholders.”   

 In August, Accountable.US launched its searchable tracker that allows the public to search Fortune 500 corporations and big corporate trade associations that have contributed to those in Congress that voted against certifying the 2020 election since January of this year — including corporations that made pledges to halt or pause donations to the lawmakers that perpetuated the Big Lie. 

THE GROUPS FUNDING THE SEDITION CAUCUS:  

  • The American Bankers Association, who despite calling the insurrection an “assault on our democracy,” donated a sum total of $42,000 to GOP House caucus members such as Rep. Devin Nunes (CA-22) and Rep. Virginia Foxx (NC-05).
     
  • Marathon Petroleum called the insurrection “appalling” yet donated a total of $32,500 to Republicans such as Rep. Richard Hudson (NC-08) and Rep. Stephanie Bice (OK-05) who would not vote to certify the election.
     
  • The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) warned staff about being in DC because of the dangers of the insurrectionists, but still donated $30,000 to members such as Rep. Brian Mast (FL-18) and Rep. Lisa McClain (MI-10).
     
  • The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association donated $28,500 To Republicans such as Rep. Tracey Mann (KS-01) and Rep. Adrian Smith (NE-03). 
     
  • Boeing halted contributions to PACs following the insurrection, but donated a sum total of $28,500 to Republicans who objected to the election, such as Rep. Trent Kelly (MS-01) and Rep. Michael Guest (MS-03).
     
  • Pfizer claimed it would not donate to any of the 147 congressmembers who would not certify the 2020 Election results, but still donated a total of $13,500 to members such as Rep. Devin Nunes (CA-22) and Rep. Kevin Hern (OK-01).

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