Struggling vaccine maker and founder donate $ 2 million in political donations
In the first three months of this year, Emergent said it spent $ 1.47 million on lobbying, using the services of more than two dozen lobbyists from 10 companies.
Federal campaign disclosure records show that PAC donations from employees of Emerging BioSolutions Inc. run the gamut. Board members and officers like Mr. El-Hibri donate up to $ 5,000, the maximum amount allowed per year under federal election rules. Some employees have contributed every two weeks for amounts as low as $ 3.47. Three former employees said the company offers a payroll program to facilitate donations.
The employee group tends to spend small amounts, typically $ 1,000 to $ 2,500, on incumbents, including legislators representing the states in which it operates, such as Maryland and Michigan. Rep. Steny Hoyer, Democrat of Maryland and No. 2 Democrat in the House, was a major beneficiary of the 2020 election cycle; he and an affiliated organization received a total of $ 10,000.
Two members of the House panel leading Wednesday’s hearing – Rep. Jim Jordan, Republican of Ohio, and Rep. Jamie Raskin, Democrat of Maryland – each received $ 1,000 in contributions in the same election cycle.
In an interview, Mr Raskin said he was not aware of the donation until he was contacted by a Times reporter and returned the money. A spokesperson for Mr Jordan said the congressman raised more than $ 18 million in the 2020 election cycle and the contributions had no impact on his work as a lawmaker.
Mr. Hartwig, the spokesperson for Emerg, said in an email message that the PAC “supports outgoing members of Congress from both houses and both sides who represent our employees and facilities, and who are committed to standing up to each other. prepare and respond to the next biological, chemical or public health threat.
Sharon LaFraniere contributed reporting.
