WASHINGTON, D.C. — Government watchdog Accountable.US released a new analysis finding Fortune 500 companies and corporate trade associations donated over $1.6 million in February 2022 alone to the 147 members of Congress that voted against certifying the 2020 election in the aftermath of the January 6th insurrection. Contributions from corporate interests to the ‘Sedition Caucus’ following the failed coup attempt now stands at over $11.5 million. Additionally, Accountable.US identified 13 companies and trade groups that gave to election objectors last month for the first time since the Capitol riot – a total of $60,000.  

By far the largest contributor to Sedition Caucus last month was retail giant Home Depot, having donated $140,000 – a substantial increase from 2018 and 2020. In response to Accountable.US’ findings, a representative for the company defended its exceptional generosity to these lawmakers to Yahoo Finance, suggesting business comes before a healthy democracy: “Our associate-funded PAC supports candidates on both sides of the aisle who champion pro-business, pro-retail positions that create jobs and economic growth.”  

Most Americans believe our democracy is in crisis, yet too many powerful corporations that benefit from our democracy have decided they bear no responsibility for helping to preserve it. No corporation can truly claim to be on the side of democracy while they throw money at the election objectors in Congress who tried to finish what violent insurrectionists started. Corporations giving a free pass to those who recklessly keep the Big Lie alive to this day and sow distrust have decided nothing comes before having political influence, not even a healthy democracy.

But don’t take our word for it. Home Depot has declared how proud they are to reward those who helped incite a violent insurrection because they apparently believe it will help boost profits. But they’re wrong. Poll after poll shows consumers back companies that demonstrate a commitment to democracy. Defending our democracy will always be good for business -- today, tomorrow, years from now.”  

Kyle Herrig, president of Accountable.US

The report also follows a response Accountable.US received from pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly defending the company’s decision to resume contributions to the election objectors in Congress, effectively arguing the proponents of the Big Lie have learned their lesson – a position the company has since doubled down on. Accountable.US challenged Eli Lilly to explain how they arrived at that conclusion considering nearly all their donations to the Sedition Caucus came after a pivotal vote in the U.S. House on June 30th, 2021 to establish the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol – and every one of the election objectors, including Leader McCarthy, either voted against establishing it or didn’t bother to vote at all. The company has yet to respond.  

Last 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 2021 — including corporations that made pledges to halt or pause donations to the lawmakers that perpetuated the Big Lie. In January, Accountable.US released a major report ‘In Bad Company’ highlighting the hypocrisy of numerous big-name corporations that have not followed through on their words of support for democracy.   

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