By Adeline Kulaga and Benjamin Destin
The main recipient of political donations from PFAS companies is the U.S. Senate Environment & Public Works Committee, receiving around $470,000 from 2019-2022.
Main Donation Culprits
- American Chemistry Council spent about $58.7M in political donations from 2019-2022.
- Dow spent about $55.7M in political donations from 2019-2022.
- Honeywell, 3M, DuPont, Chemours, Daikin, Solvay, Archroma spent a combined total of over $110M in political donations from 2019-2022.
- One of the largest manufacturers, Honeywell, contributed over $5.7 million towards lobbying in 2022 alone.
Producers of PFAS in the US focus on direct donations for political influence, while those in the European Union have consultations with less of a monetary focus.
Political contributions are given to individual political figures, such as presidential candidates, as well as committees that pass legislation on the PFAS. Two thirds of the Senate Committee of Environment and Public Works members accepted donations from PFAS manufacturing companies. Over 130 PFAS bills have been introduced but only four have been implemented as laws.
The OpenSecrets profile for 3M Co. shows that the company participates in political activity primarily through its Political Action Committee (PAC), which is funded by voluntary contributions from employees and shareholders. Federal law prohibits corporations from donating directly to federal candidates, so 3M’s political contributions are made through its PAC rather than from corporate treasury funds.
Over the years, 3M’s PAC and affiliated employee contributions have totaled over one million dollars in combined donations to candidates, political parties, and committees. The company supports candidates from both major political parties, reflecting a bipartisan approach based on business interests rather than strict party loyalty.
Several federal candidates have received contributions linked to 3M employees or its PAC. Democratic recipients have included figures such as President Joe Biden, Senators Jon Ossoff, Mark Kelly, and John Hickenlooper, as well as Representatives like Angela Craig.
On the Republican side, candidates such as Senator Dan Sullivan and Representative Dan Newhouse have also received support. These donations come from employees or the PAC, not directly from 3M’s corporate funds.
In addition to campaign contributions, 3M also engages in lobbying and provides dues to trade associations, which may participate in political advocacy. While the company discloses certain political activities, some watchdog groups have raised concerns about transparency related to indirect spending through outside organizations.
Overall, 3M’s political involvement reflects a strategy of supporting candidates across party lines while complying with federal campaign finance regulations.
