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Washington, D.C — Government watchdog Accountable.US released an updated analysis showing that Fortune 500 companies and corporate trade associations donated over $1.9 million in May 2022 to those in Congress who voted against certifying the 2020 election in the immediate aftermath of the insurrection. Since the violent coup attempt, total donations from corporate interests to the group that has been dubbed the ‘Sedition Caucus’ now stand at over $18 million. 

The new report also found that 9 companies and trade groups — including Kraft Heinz, State Farm Insurance, and MetLife — gave to the election objectors for the first time since the Capitol riot for a total of $40,500 in May. These donations came in the weeks and days leading up to the January 6th hearings that have continued to detail how Donald Trump and many of his backers in Congress directly incited the Capitol riot. The New York Times recently highlighted another Accountable.US analysis outlining the corporations who have given at least $826,000 since the insurrection to U.S. Reps. Kevin McCarthy, Scott Perry, Jim Jordan, and Andy Biggs who were subpoenaed but refused to comply with the Select Committee’s subpoenas, as well as to Reps. Barry Loudermilk and Ronny Jackson who have yet to agree to interview requests.  

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The more the January 6th Committee details how close we came to losing our democracy, the more corporations owe an explanation to their customers as to why they keep funding those in Congress who’ve refused to comply with the Committee's requests, begged for pardons, and tried to finish what the insurrectionists started by voting to throw out the 2020 election results. Companies that claim to support democracy yet fail to align their political spending with their stated values need to make it clear to the public that they value something much more – holding political influence over lawmakers no matter how dangerous their views.

It’s terribly short-sighted for any corporation to risk its reputation by blowing off the majority of Americans who want to see businesses more engaged in the defense of democracy. At the end of the day, a healthy democracy will always be what’s best for business."

Kyle Herrig, president of Accountable.US

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 last year — including corporations that made pledges to halt or pause donations to the lawmakers that perpetuated the Big Lie. 

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