Boeing spent $179,300,000 from 2010 to 2020 on federal lobbying. This does not include state lobbying, where Boeing also lobbies but where disclosure is uneven or absent. For example, Boeing spent $1,116,000 on lobbying in California from 2010 to 2020. And Boeing also lobbies abroad, spending between €500,000 to €599,999 on lobbying in Europe for 2020. Boeing has attracted scrutiny for funding the EU Reporter, described as “EU lobbying dressed up as journalism.”1

Companies can give unlimited amounts to third party groups that spend millions on lobbying and often undisclosed grassroots activity, and these groups may be spending “at least double what’s publicly reported.”2 Boeing belongs to the Business Roundtable, National Association of Manufacturers and US Chamber Commerce, which together spent $108,148,000 on lobbying for 2020. Boeing does not disclose its payments to trade associations and social welfare organizations, nor amounts used for lobbying, including grassroots. Grassroots lobbying does not get reported at the federal level under the Lobbying Disclosure Act, and disclosure is uneven or absent in states.

We are concerned that Boeing’s lack of disclosure presents reputational risk when its lobbying contradicts company public positions or takes controversial positions. For example, Boeing believes in addressing climate change, yet the Chamber opposed the Paris climate accord. Boeing signed a statement opposing state voter restrictions, yet the Chamber lobbied against the For the People Act.3 And while Boeing has previously drawn scrutiny for avoiding federal taxes,4 its trade associations are lobbying against raising corporate taxes to fund health care, education and safety net programs.5