A prominent conservative organization deflected charges Friday of engaging in a high-profile ‘pay-to-play’ scheme, after Capitol Hill newspaper Politico reported it had offered its support in exchange for payment of millions of dollars.
The American Conservative Union, which describes itself as “the nation’s largest and oldest conservative grassroots lobby,” rebuffed the Politico story, which charged that it had offered grassroots support for shipping giant FedEx in its legislative contest with rival UPS in exchange for over $3 million.
According to a letter sent to FedEx dated June 30, the ACU offered to air radio advertisements and publish opinion pieces in newspapers across the country opposing provisions in the House of Representatives’ FAA Reauthorization Bill (H.R. 915) that would put FedEx under the jurisdiction of National Labor Relations Board, and subject the company to federal labor regulations. The ACU also offered, according to the letter, to conduct multi-state calling and direct mail campaigns opposing the legislation.
The ACU requested $3,397,550 for its services.
UPS, a heavily unionized company, has lobbied to bring FedEx under NLRB jurisdiction.
Politico claimed FedEx turned down the offer, and that the ACU promptly backed UPS. The paper cited a subsequent letter sent by the presidents of seven major conservative organizations–including ACU president David Keene–to FedEx Chairman and CEO Fredrick Smith, dated July 15, requesting the company discontinue its “disinformation campaign” “Brown Bailout,” which opposes federal legislation to support UPS.
The ACU confirmed in a statement Friday that the organization had sent the June 30 letter, but claimed that that Mr. Keene did not sign the July 15 letter in an official capacity, and had not received permission from the organization to do so.
According to the statement, FedEx did not respond to the intial letter offering ACU support, and the ACU’s position on the House legislation remains unchanged.
“ACU’s positions on important policy issues have never been for sale,” according to the statement.
Politico had not responded to ACU’s defense at the time of publication.
