Corporate Donors Fuel State Abortion Bans

Strategic Insights -

Corporations such as Walmart, Exxon, Citigroup, and AT&T have contributed significantly to politicians backing state abortion bans. According to an Insider investigation, these companies, which are part of the daily lives of many Americans, have given over $150,000 to politicians sponsoring the laws. The analysis covered donations from 2005 to 2022 and found that corporate contributions to these politicians far exceed those from anti-abortion organizations.

Key Takeaways:

  • AT&T is the biggest corporate contributor, giving politicians behind abortion "trigger laws" $1 million.
  • Over 160 companies gave more than $56,000 to lawmakers behind state bans, combined.
  • The Friedkin Group, a consortium of companies, donated more than $1.05 million, the largest single contribution.
  • AT&T and Pfizer were the only two companies that backed politicians behind trigger laws in all 13 states.
  • Corporate contributions to these politicians eclipse those from anti-abortion organizations, with Texas Alliance for Life, Idaho Chooses Life, and other anti-abortion groups giving nearly $56,000 combined.
  • Many top US law firms, including Norton Rose Fulbright, Adams & Reese, and Hunton Andrews Kurth, have developed women's career advancement initiatives while also contributing to politicians behind trigger laws.
  • Contributors in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries, including Pfizer, Merck, and hospitals, contributed $12.4 million to politicians behind trigger laws.
  • Companies like Walmart, a top employer in each of the trigger law states, donated nearly $292,000 to trigger law backers.

Statistics:

  • $1 million: AT&T's contributions to politicians behind abortion "trigger laws".
  • $1.05 million: The Friedkin Group's single largest contribution.
  • $12.4 million: The total contributions from contributors in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries.
  • $52,900: Amazon's contribution to legislators behind state bans.
  • $92,500: Microsoft's contribution to legislators behind state bans.
  • $285,200: Citigroup's contribution to state legislators who sponsored trigger laws in four states and governors who signed them into law in five states.
  • $281,000: Pfizer's contribution to politicians behind trigger laws.
  • $165,000: Merck's contribution to politicians behind trigger laws.
  • $292,000: Walmart's contribution to trigger law backers.

Sources:

  • Insider investigation and Followthemoney.org data, based on state and federal election filings.
  • Business Insider: "State abortion ban sponsors bankrolled by AT&T, Walmart, Citi, corporations"
  • Politico: "Supreme Court draft opinion could lead to Roe v. Wade being overturned"
  • Business Insider: "Companies offering employees support for abortion access"
  • Morning Consult and Politico survey: "Half of US voters say companies should speak out on abortion access"
  • Axiom Strategies: "Sophisticated donors know exactly who they are supporting and what they stand for."
  • Rhia Ventures: "Discernment and oversight of corporate giving has not kept pace with the polarization of politics."