Unmasked: The Corporations Backing a Lobbying Campaign Against the Use of the Defense Production Act

A recent report by the Public Accountability Initiative revealed that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the multi-billionaire corporations it represents are lobbying against the Defense Production Act. This is forcing states, cities, and hospitals to compete for life-saving materials. Corporations that support these efforts endanger doctors, nurses, grocery store workers, and other essential workers who are risking their lives to care for those impacted by COVID-19. 

The leadership of the US Chamber of Commerce includes J.J. Johnson of Boston-based Fidelity Investments. Fidelity is one of the nation’s largest money managers with a growing international footprint, managing almost $3 trillion in global assets. Fidelity and its owners, the Johnson Family, play a central role in Massachusetts’ corporate power structure.  They have supported the right-wing Pioneer Institute, funded efforts to expand charter schools in the state and backed (via Fidelity’s membership in lobbying organizations) the corporate lawsuit against the popular Fair Share Amendment that would have raised revenue to fund education and transportation in Massachusetts. The company’s philanthropic wing, Fidelity Charitable, has approved millions in donations from its Donor-Advised Funds to support groups that promote anti-immigrant, anti-Muslim, and anti-LGBTQ+ views and practices.

Take Action to Protect Essential Workers
A group of CLU ally organizations has launched a petition in support of distributing critically-need COVID medical supplies through the Defense Production Act. Sign the petition to the CEOS of 3M, Honeywell, FedEx, Amazon, and U.S. Bank: Immediately and publicly support the full use of the Defense Production Act and tell the US Chamber of Commerce to do the same.