Microsoft, Facebook, Google, JP Morgan, and Citibank have announced a complete freeze on the political funding, while several other large companies have suspended political donations to Republican congresspersons after last week’s Capitol attack.
Microsoft, Google, Facebook, JP Morgan, and Citibank have temporarily paused all political donations to both Republicans and Democrats.
Google spokesperson said: “We have frozen all NetPAC political contributions while we review and reassess its policies following last week’s deeply troubling events.”
“The PAC regularly pauses its donations in the first quarter of a new Congress, but it will take additional steps this year to consider these recent events and consult with employees,” Microsoft said in a statement.
While these companies suspend all political contributions, there are other companies who announced suspension of political contributions only to Republican members of Congress.
Top US corporations Amazon and Walmart announced restrictions on political contributions to Republican members who challenged the certification of US President-elect Joe Biden’s electoral victory.
According to a report in Reuters, Amazon spokeswoman Jodi Seth said: “Given the unacceptable attempt to undermine a legitimate democratic process, the Amazon PAC has suspended contributions to any member of Congress who voted to override the results of the US presidential election.”
A Walmart spokesperson told The New York Times that the company will indefinitely suspend political contributions to Congressional lawmakers who “voted against the lawful certification of state electoral college votes.”
Airbnb, Morgan Stanley, Dow, and AT&T made similar announcements where they blocked the political funding to the Republican members.
Large companies and businesses throughout corporate America rushed to announce suspensions of political donations in the wake of the Capitol attack.
If the big techs’ decision to halt all political funding is extended, it may mark a larger issue political parties may face.
