Chili's Donation: Texas Abortion Law Controversy

Texas' abortion law, also known as Senate Bill 8 or the heart rate bill, prohibits abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected, which can occur as early as six weeks into a pregnancy. The legislation came into effect on September 1, 2021, after the Supreme Court voted 5-4 to deny an emergency appeal brought by abortion rights advocates. While some companies have chosen to remain silent or take no official stance on the law, several corporations have been identified as top donors to the lawmakers who sponsored and co-sponsored the bill. One of the largest donors is AT&T, which has given over $300,000 to the bill's sponsors and co-sponsors since 2018. Other notable donors include Comcast/NBCUniversal ($58,250), CVS Health ($72,500), UnitedHealth Group ($90,000), and Anthem ($87,250). The financial support of these companies, some of which have previously professed support for women's rights and equality, has sparked criticism and calls for accountability from women's rights advocates and organizations.

AT&T donated $301,000 to the sponsors of the bill

AT&T, one of the top donors to the sponsors of Texas' abortion ban, also known as Senate Bill 8 (SB 8), has donated a significant sum of $301,000 to the bill's sponsors since 2018. This donation was made despite AT&T's public stance on gender equality and women's empowerment. Just days before the bill came into effect, AT&T issued a statement celebrating Women's Equality Day, claiming that "empowered women are key to the success of their communities". This contradiction between their words and actions has drawn criticism from various quarters.

The mobile phone network company's support for the bill is particularly notable given their significant financial contribution. AT&T's donations to the sponsors of the abortion bill far exceed those of other prominent corporations. For instance, Comcast/NBCUniversal donated $58,250, CVS Health contributed $72,500, and UnitedHealth Group gave $90,000. AT&T's substantial donation underscores their influence and investment in the passage of this legislation.

In response to the controversy, an AT&T spokesman stated that the company has never taken a position on abortion and has no plans to change that policy. The representative also noted that AT&T contributed to the campaigns of lawmakers who opposed the bill as well as those who supported it. However, this statement does not address the discrepancy between their stated values and their financial support for legislators who sponsored the abortion ban.

The Democratic super PAC American Bridge, headed in part by a former president of Planned Parenthood, launched a campaign against AT&T for financing the campaigns of lawmakers who sponsored the Texas abortion bill. The PAC intends to run ads in digital and television media, urging voters to pressure the company to "stop funding anti-abortion extremists in Texas". This campaign reflects the growing backlash against AT&T's involvement in promoting the restrictive abortion law.

AT&T's donation to the sponsors of the Texas abortion bill highlights the complex dynamics between corporate interests and social issues. While the company has publicly advocated for gender equality, their financial support for legislators promoting abortion restrictions raises questions about their commitment to women's empowerment. This contradiction has led to criticism and efforts to hold AT&T accountable for their role in influencing legislation that impacts women's rights.

Comcast/NBCUniversal donated $58,250

Comcast/NBCUniversal, a company that has publicly championed women's rights, has donated $58,250 to the sponsors of Texas' abortion ban, also known as Senate Bill 8 (SB8), since 2018. This donation was revealed by Popular Information, a newsletter that details company funding practices and donations to politicians.

In 2020, NBCUniversal announced a year-long advertising campaign focusing on "women’s empowerment", claiming that the spots would inspire audiences to continue to advance women in society overall. In 2019, the company also suggested that it would not produce content in states enacting abortion bans, stating that "if any of these laws are upheld, it would strongly impact our decision-making on where we produce our content in the future."

Despite these statements, Comcast/NBCUniversal has not responded to questions about whether it supported SB8 or would continue to financially support the bill's sponsors in the future. This lack of response has drawn criticism, with activists calling for companies to speak out and send a signal that Texas has gone too far in restricting abortion access.

Comcast/NBCUniversal is not the only corporation that has donated significant amounts to the sponsors of Texas' abortion ban. Other companies include AT&T ($301,000), CVS Health ($72,500), UnitedHealth Group ($90,000), Anthem ($87,250), Charter Communications ($313,000), Farmers Insurance ($120,000), General Motors ($72,750), and State Farm ($58,250).

CVS Health donated $72,500

> Past political contributions are by no means a blanket endorsement of an individual's position on every issue, nor are they an indication of where we'll direct our future support.

CVS Health is committed to helping Americans get the care they need. As part of this, they provide financial support to the communities they serve through the CVS Health Foundation, in-kind donations, employee giving, fundraising, and other community investments. CVS Health's corporate philanthropy program includes the CVS Health Foundation, a private foundation that supports nonprofit partners, pharmacy schools, and colleagues. CVS Health also matches donations to most nonprofits in the US and Puerto Rico, including educational institutions, health and human services, arts and cultural organizations, civic and community organizations, environmental organizations, and most 501(c)(3) organizations.

UnitedHealth Group donated $90,000

UnitedHealth Group's donation to the sponsors of the abortion ban is in stark contrast to the company's stated commitment to improving health and health care. The company established the United Health Foundation, a nonprofit, private foundation dedicated to this cause. The foundation has committed more than $800 million to programs and communities around the world, including initiatives to advance health equity and improve maternal and infant health outcomes. It is unclear how UnitedHealth Group's donation to the Texas abortion ban aligns with these stated goals and values.

UnitedHealth Group's support for the abortion ban also raises questions about the company's stance on women's rights and empowerment. While the company has not publicly commented on its donation to the abortion ban, its financial contribution suggests a conflicting position on issues related to women's equality and reproductive rights. This discrepancy between stated values and financial support for restrictive abortion laws has been highlighted by newsletters like Popular Information, which tracks company funding practices.

UnitedHealth Group's donation to the Texas abortion ban is a concerning development, especially given the company's significant influence in the healthcare industry. The donation has contributed to a law that not only restricts abortion access but also encourages people to file lawsuits against those who perform or recommend abortions, with rewards of up to $10,000. This has created a climate of fear and intimidation for abortion providers and patients alike.

In conclusion, UnitedHealth Group's donation of $90,000 to the sponsors of the Texas abortion ban is a troubling action that contradicts the company's stated commitments to improving health and supporting women's empowerment. It is essential for companies to be held accountable for their financial contributions and their impact on societal issues, especially when they conflict with their publicly stated values and goals.

Anthem donated $87,250

Health insurance company Anthem donated $87,250 to the sponsors of Texas' abortion ban since 2018. This is despite the company claiming to ""empower women within [their] own organization and in the communities [they] serve".

Anthem's donation was part of a larger trend of companies that donated to the lawmakers who co-sponsored Texas' restrictive abortion law. Popular Information, a newsletter that details company donations to politicians, identified several corporations that gave significant amounts of money to the primary co-sponsors of Senate Bill 8. These include Comcast/NBCUniversal ($58,250), CVS Health ($72,500), UnitedHealth Group ($90,000), Charter Communications ($313,000), Farmers Insurance ($120,000), and General Motors ($72,750).

The newsletter also points out the irony of these companies issuing statements in support of women's equality and empowerment while simultaneously funding groups that support the abortion ban. For example, just days before the bill came into effect in Texas, Comcast/NBCUniversal issued a statement celebrating Women's Equality Day.

While some companies have remained silent or defended their donations as not indicative of their stance on abortion, others have taken a stand against the law. Lyft, for example, has pledged to donate $1 million to Planned Parenthood and set up a legal fund to cover drivers who may be sued for taking people to abortion clinics. Uber has also committed to creating a legal fund for their drivers.

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