AbbVie Inc: Alignment of Stated Corporate Values with Political and Electioneering Expenditures

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WHEREAS:  The political expenditures of AbbVie Inc. (“AbbVie”) appear to be misaligned with the Company’s publicly stated values and vision across a number of issue areas.

AbbVie states that it believes climate change is impacting human health and has committed to joining the Science Based Targets initiative, which requires companies to align their emissions with the Paris Climate Agreement’s goal of limiting global temperature rise to no more than 1.5°C.[1] Yet, AbbVie is a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which has consistently lobbied to roll back U.S. climate regulation and promotes regulations that would slow the transition towards a low carbon energy mix.

AbbVie has stated, "We are committed to equity, equality, diversity and inclusion (“EED&I”). It’s fundamental to who we are and it’s just how we 'do good business.’” AbbVie has also written, "EED&I is good for our people and patients, and also for our business—strengthening performance, helping us innovate and understand our customers, and retaining the best talent."[2] Yet, AbbVie contributed to multiple trade associations that have supported and promoted voter suppression laws.[3] Further, in the 2020-2022 election cycles, AbbVie and its employee PACs donated at least $1,604,250 to politicians and political organizations working to weaken women’s access to reproductive health care. Reductions in access to reproductive health care may also put at risk future sales for AbbVie subsidiaries Allergan and Odyssea Pharma, which both manufacture birth control.

AbbVie has stated, "[W]e believe patients need access to quality and affordable medicines. Improving health outcomes for patients around the world is one of AbbVie’s corporate responsibility commitments and is integral to our core business strategy."[4] However, AbbVie contributes to PhRMA, which supports numerous organizations opposing efforts to reform drug pricing.

To minimize possible missteps and risk to the firm's reputation and brand, AbbVie should establish clear policies and report on corporate electioneering and political spending that conflicts with its stated healthcare, social, and environmental objectives. 

BE IT RESOLVED:  Shareholders request that AbbVie annually analyze and report, at reasonable expense, the congruence of its political, lobbying, and electioneering expenditures during the preceding year against its publicly stated company values and policies, listing and explaining instances of incongruent expenditures, and stating whether the identified incongruencies have or will lead to a change in future expenditures or contributions.

SUPPORTING STATEMENT:  Proponents recommend, at management discretion, that the report also contain an analysis of risks to our company's brand, reputation, and shareholder value of expenditures in conflict with publicly stated Company values. “Expenditures for electioneering communications" means spending, from the corporate treasury and from its PACs, during the year, directly or through third parties, in printed, internet, or broadcast communications, which are reasonably susceptible to interpretation as being in support of or in opposition to a specific candidate.

Resolution Details

Company: AbbVie Inc

Lead Filers:
As You Sow

Year: 2023

Filing Date: 
November 2022

Initiative(s): Political Spending

Status: 15.1% Vote

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Proxy Memo

Social Justice, GovernanceAs You SowAbbVie, Reproductive Health, Governance, political spending