Democrats want to know how much money big corporations are paying major lobbying groups to court lawmakers before the tax law is scheduled to expire next year.
Heads of large companies including Netflix, Ford and Tesla received letters from Democratic lawmakers demanding details of their lobbying budgets and whether their corporate boards would approve them.
“How much does AmerisourceBergen spend lobbying for the renewal, amendment, and maintenance of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act?” the lawmakers wrote to the drug company, referring to the Trump tax cuts.
In a letter to more than 35 companies, Democrats also asked how much is spent on lobbying through various professional federations and industry groups, many of which carry vague and hard-to-identify brands. are.
“How much money is Darden Restaurants contributing to future tax battles through other coalitions?”・We asked the owner of brands such as Chris Steakhouse and Eddie V's.
The letter includes ten people, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D.R.I.), Rep. Greg Cassar (D-Texas), and Rep. Barbara Lee. Several senators and congressmen signed it. (California D).
The deadline for companies to respond to the letter is October 8, about one month before the general election.
The lawmakers' investigation explicitly refers to “tax avoidance” and “behind-the-scenes” activities carried out by various companies.
“To better understand the depth of DISH Network’s tax avoidance practices and behind-the-scenes efforts to undercut the tax code, we ask you to respond to the questions below no later than October 8, 2024.” says the letter. It was written to the president and CEO of the satellite company.
Significant parts of the tax law introduced by the 2017 Trump tax cuts are set to expire next year, and much legislative work on the issue is expected over the next year.
But Republican Sen. Mike Rounds, R.S., suggested Wednesday that there may be an opportunity to do something about the issue during this fall's lame duck session, depending on the outcome of the congressional elections.
