What you need to know
- Microsoft will pause political contributions from its MSPAC following the siege on the U.S. Capitol.
- Microsoft's contributions came under fire from Microsoft employees recently.
- Microsoft President Brad Smith recently spoke about the peaceful transition of power on Twitter.
- Microsoft donated to several politicians that opposed the certification of President-elect Joe Biden.
Microsoft will pause political contributions from its Microsoft Political Action Committee (MSPAC). The pause is in response to the recent Capitol Hill attacks that occurred while the U.S. Congress was certifying the Electoral College results of the 2020 presidential election (via CNBC).
The MSPAC came under fire from some Microsoft employees recently. After Microsoft president Brad Smith discussed the peaceful transition of power on Twitter, Jake Friedman and other Microsoft employees highlighted that the MSPAC has donated to politicians that voted against the certification of the recent presidential election.
https://t.co/PSpQQxAfBL
Hey Brad, maybe we can stop giving those who want to disrupt the "peaceful transition of power" Microsoft's money. Thanks. pic.twitter.com/YphczL8yrvhttps://t.co/PSpQQxAfBL
Hey Brad, maybe we can stop giving those who want to disrupt the "peaceful transition of power" Microsoft's money. Thanks. pic.twitter.com/YphczL8yrv— Jake Friedman (@spaceisfunn) January 5, 2021January 5, 2021
Not good enough. Let's ensure we're not supporting any of the groups that would attempt to overthrow the lawful government. Time for MSPAC to go. Time to promise we will not do business with these individuals or their campaigns, as well.Not good enough. Let's ensure we're not supporting any of the groups that would attempt to overthrow the lawful government. Time for MSPAC to go. Time to promise we will not do business with these individuals or their campaigns, as well.— Matt Snider (@MattSnider) January 11, 2021January 11, 2021
As highlighted by CNBC, data from the Federal Election Commission shows that the MSPAC donated to the elections of Sen. Ted Cruz in 2018 and Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri in 2016. Both of those politicians opposed certifying the Electoral College votes of President-elect Joe Biden.
Microsoft normally pauses contributions during the first quarter of a new U.S. Congress, but this particular pause is also related to recent events.
Microsoft's political action committee decided last Friday that it will not make any political donations until after it assesses the implications of last week's events. The PAC regularly pauses its donations in the first quarter of a new Congress, but it will take additional steps this year to consider these recent events and consult with employees.
