Resolved clauseResolved, stockholders request the preparation of a report, updated annually, disclosing:
1. Company policy and procedures governing lobbying, both direct and indirect, and grassroots lobbying communications.
Payments by Caterpillar used for (a) direct or indirect lobbying or (b) grassroots lobbying communications, in each case, including the amount of the payment and the recipient.Caterpillar's membership in and payments to any tax-exempt organization that writes and endorses model legislation.Description of management's and the Board's decision-making process and oversight for making payments described in sections 2 and 3 above.For purposes of this proposal, a "grassroots lobbying communication" is a communication directed to the general public that (a) refers to specific legislation or regulation, (b) reflects a view on the legislation or regulation, and (c) encourages the recipient of the communication to take action with respect to the legislation or regulation. "Indirect lobbying" is lobbying engaged in by a trade association or other organization of which Caterpillar is a member.
Whereas clauseWhereas full disclosure of Caterpillar's direct and indirect lobbying activities and expenditures to assess whether Caterpillar's lobbying is consistent with its expressed goals and in stockholders' best interests:
Both "direct and indirect lobbying" and "grassroots lobbying communications" include local, state, and federal efforts.
The report shall be presented to the Public Policy and Governance Committee and posted on Caterpillar's website.
Supporting statement"Supporting Statement
Caterpillar spent $42,850,000 from 2010 – 2020 on federal lobbying. This does not include state lobbying, where Caterpillar also lobbies, but disclosure is uneven or absent. For example, Caterpillar's lobbying against right-to-repair laws in states like New York has drawn attention.[1] Caterpillar also lobbies abroad, spending between €100,000–199,000 on lobbying in Europe for 2020.
Companies can give unlimited amounts to third-party groups that spend millions on lobbying and undisclosed grassroots activity. These groups may be spending ""at least double what's publicly reported.""[2] Caterpillar fails to disclose any of its payments to trade associations and social welfare organizations, nor amounts used for lobbying, including grassroots.
Caterpillar belongs to the Business Roundtable, National Association of Manufacturers, and Chamber Commerce, which together spent $108,148,000 on 2020 lobbying and drew attention for a ""massive lobbying blitz"" against raising corporate taxes to pay for infrastructure.[3] Caterpillar does not disclose its contributions in tax-exempt organizations that write and endorse model legislation, such as the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).
Caterpillar's lack of disclosure presents reputational risks when its lobbying contradicts company public positions. For example, Caterpillar supports diversity and inclusion, yet groups have asked companies to leave ALEC ""because of its voter restriction efforts.""[4] Caterpillar supports mitigating climate change, yet the Chamber and Business Roundtable lobby to block climate action.[5] Caterpillar supports government investments to modernize infrastructure, yet its trade associations lobbied against raising corporate taxes to pay for it.
This topic won 44% of the vote last year.
[1] https://gizmodo.com/the-biden-administration-is-ready-to-go-to-war-over-ri-1847240802.
[2] https://theintercept.com/2019/08/06/business-group-spending-on-lobbying-in-washington-is-at-least-double-whats-publicly-reported/.
[3] https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2021/08/31/business-lobbying-democrats-reconciliation/.
[4] https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/alec-corporations-democracy/.
[5] https://www.desmog.com/2021/10/22/corporate-tech-giants-climate-action-oil-lobbyists-state-capitols/."