We encourage transparency in UPS’s use of funds to lobby. UPS spent $76.6 million from 2010 – 2020 on federal lobbying.1 This does not include state lobbying, where UPS also lobbies but disclosure is uneven or absent. For example, UPS lobbied in 31 states in 20202 and spent $1.9 million on lobbying in California from 2010 – 2020.3

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.”4 UPS sits on the board of the Chamber of Commerce and belongs to the Business Roundtable (BRT), which together have spent over $2 billion on federal lobbying since 1998, and the RATE Coalition, a social welfare organization which also actively lobbies.

UPS does not disclose its memberships in, or payments to, trade associations and social welfare organizations, or the amounts used for lobbying, including at the grassroots level. And UPS does not disclose its membership in tax-exempt organizations that write and endorse model legislation, such as the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).

We believe UPS’s lack of disclosure presents reputational risk when its lobbying contradicts company public positions. For example, UPS supports global climate action, yet the Chamber opposed the Paris Climate Accord. UPS supports greater investment in America’s infrastructure, but the Chamber, BRT, and RATE Coalition lobbied against the infrastructure bill.5 And while UPS is committed to diversity, groups have asked UPS to cut ties with ALEC “because of its voter restriction efforts.”6