Ford resumes political donations after review
Jim Farley, Executive Vice President of Ford Motor Company and President of Global Markets, unveils the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500 at the 2019 North American International Auto Show during media preview days on January 14, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan.
Bill Pugliano | Getty Images
Ford Motor will resume political donations and will not rule out donations to lawmakers who voted Jan.6 against certification of President Joe Biden’s election victory, according to a letter from Ford seen by Reuters.
The No.2 U.S. automaker was among many companies that suspended political donations earlier this year pending review, including some that chose to suspend all donations to the 147 House and Senate members who voted against certification from Biden, including Walmart, Marriott, AT&T, Amazon .com, Comcast, and American Express.
In the letter seen by Reuters, Ford said its Political Action Committee (PAC) was resuming donations to lawmakers as of April 1 and had chosen not to impose a blanket ban on Republican lawmakers who voted against certification.
Five people died when supporters of former President Donald Trump attacked the Capitol on January 6 to prevent the US Congress from certifying Biden’s victory. Trump had urged them to protest the November 3 election results, which he falsely claimed to have been rigged.
Microsoft said in February that its PAC would suspend all donations until 2022 to the 147 lawmakers who voted against certification, as well as contributions during the same period for state officials and organizations that have suggested the certification. cancellation of the elections.
Alphabet’s Google and General Electric PACs have also suspended donations until 2022, while Dow Inc has said it will extend its suspension to senators voting against certification for up to six years.
It was not immediately clear whether any of these other companies had reversed those plans.
In the letter to company employees donating to his PAC, government relations director Mitch Bainwol said Ford would strengthen the principles he used to support candidates “by adding a new principle related to” service. public and integrity “”.
Bainwol added that candidates backed by Ford must “demonstrate public service of building trust and acting with competence, integrity and serving others.”
Ford noted this and the industry “is going through a period of massive disruption which is deeply tied to political issues. Participation in the political process has been a constant throughout our 118-year history and is essential in navigating Ford’s global priorities in a world of competitive voice. “
