Corporate Political Responsibility

ICCR's Corporate Political Responsibility program advocates for full transparency, robust oversight structures, and policies to govern corporate political activities. 

Corporations spend millions of dollars each year to influence U.S. legislative and regulatory systems to the benefit of their businesses. Through their memberships in trade associations like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers, and their donations to Super PACs, 527 committees, "social welfare" organizations, and model legislation group the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), corporations have an outsized voice on many issues impacting public interest.

Without adequate oversight, these political activities run the risk of disenfranchising voters, damaging democratic structures, and, when these activities conflict with a company's stated mission and values, causing reputational damage to participating companies. Voters' rights are enshrined in international human rights frameworks such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. 

ICCR's Corporate Political Responsibility program focuses on two key themes: corporate political spending and corporate lobbying. 

Current Initiatives

Through a combination of dialogue and filing shareholder resolutions, ICCR's members are pressing companies to do their due diligence with regard to their political spending and enhance their public disclosures. 

For more information, please visit ICCR's Corporate Political Responsibility program page or contact Tim Smith.