Textron participates in the U.S. political process in support of company business objectives when management believes that it is in the best interests of its shareholders, businesses and employees to do so. The government affairs activities of Textron are managed by its Government Affairs Department in the Company’s Washington, D.C. office. Led by the Senior Vice President, Government Affairs & Washington Operations, who reports directly to Textron’s Chief Executive Officer, the Government Affairs team is responsible for corporate strategies and activities that maximize Congressional and Executive Branch support for programs and issues of interest to Textron and its businesses. Textron’s Board of Directors receives an annual briefing on the Company’s government affairs activities.
Political Contributions
Textron’s Business Conduct Guidelines prohibit contributions of Company funds for the benefit of political parties or candidates anywhere in the world. Corporate contributions to federal candidates, national political party committees, or other federal political committees are prohibited by federal law, and accordingly, Textron makes no such contributions.
Trade Association Memberships
Textron and certain of its businesses pay regular dues to various trade and industry associations. We belong to these associations to participate in association-sponsored professional opportunities, including development of industry standards that affect our businesses’ products, trade shows, conferences and other industry events. Some of these trade associations utilize a portion of membership dues for non-tax-deductible purposes, such as lobbying. From time to time, trade associations in which our businesses participate may take positions that differ from those of the Company.
Textron businesses paid membership dues or other payments equal to or greater than $50,000 in 2024 to the following U.S. trade associations which have advised us that they engage in non-tax-deductible activities:
- Aerospace Industries Association
- Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International
- Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce
- General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA)
- International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association
- Kansas Chamber of Commerce
- National Association of Manufacturers
- National Business Aviation Association
- Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce
Total payments to these trade associations during 2024 were approximately $1.7 million, and the approximate amount of our payments as to which we have been advised by these associations are non-tax-deductible was $265,000.
Lobbying Activities Disclosure
Each quarter Textron files a federal Lobbying Disclosure Act report that provides specific information on Textron’s lobbying activities which are largely conducted by Textron employees who are registered lobbyists. This publicly available report can be found at the U.S. House of Representatives at https://lobbyingdisclosure.house.gov/. The Company’s businesses file similar reports where required at the state level.
Employee Political Action Committees
Textron offers certain eligible employees (as determined by federal election laws) an opportunity to make political contributions through a company-sponsored, non-partisan Political Action Committee (PAC) that is registered with the Federal Election Commission (FEC). The Textron PAC is governed by a board comprised of company employees and is funded solely from the voluntary contributions it receives from eligible employees. The PAC is dedicated to the support of political candidates for the United States Congress and other recipients who have taken responsible positions on key issues of relevance to Textron. The contributions made by the PAC are reported in filings with the FEC and are available here:
2024 Textron PAC Disbursements