XPO spent $590,000 on federal lobbying in 2019 and 2020. This does not include state lobbying, where XPO also lobbies but disclosure is uneven or absent. The need for transparency remains highlighted by continued scrutiny of former XPO supply chain CEO and board member Louis DeJoy’s role as Postmaster General.1
XPO fails to disclose its memberships in or payments to trade associations and social welfare organizations or the amounts used for lobbying, including grassroots. 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 XPO belongs to the Business Roundtable (BRT) and Transportation Intermediaries Association, which together spent $37,930,000 on federal lobbying for 2019 and 2020, and to the Road Haulage Association (RHA) in the United Kingdom. And XPO does not disclose its contributions to groups which write and endorse model legislation, like the American Legislative Exchange Council, which supports ending government regulation over private contracting.3.
We believe XPO’s lack of disclosure presents reputational risks when its lobbying contradicts company public positions. For example, XPO lists safety for its employees and operations as its first value, yet the New York Times reports that supervisors have required pregnant women to lift more weight than their doctor has certified them to lift, and as a result have suffered miscarriages.4 And, XPO is committed to environmental sustainability, yet the RHA has reportedly lobbied to undermine clean air goals in the UK.5
We urge XPO to expand its lobbying disclosure.