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Pfizer's Political Donations and Lobbying Influence

Mar 25, 2025

Pfizer Donations and Political Contributions

Overview

  • Pfizer has donated significant funds to both Republican and Democratic political campaigns through affiliates, not directly.
  • Donations are made legally through PACs (Political Action Committees), employees, and other entities.

Specific Contributions

  • Republican Contributions:
    • National Republican Senatorial Committee: $95,920
    • National Republican Congressional Committee: $72,588
    • Former President Donald Trump: $21,821
  • Democratic Contributions:
    • Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee: $92,192
    • Kamala Harris presidential campaign: $77,378
    • Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association: $75,000

Lobbying and Influence

  • Campaign contributions are a common lobbying tool.
  • Lobbying involves advocacy to influence lawmakers' decisions.
  • Pharmaceutical lobbying, including by Pfizer, is a major force, having spent over $5.8 billion from 1998 to 2023.

Pharmaceutical Lobbying in 2024

  • Pharmaceutical lobbying expenditures increased in 2024.
  • PhRMA spent $9.6 million in Q1 2024, up from $7.99 million in Q1 2023.

Controversies and Reactions

  • The Biden-Harris administration mandated Pfizer or Moderna COVID vaccinations in 2021.
  • Trump's surprise at Pfizer donations despite previous tensions.
    • Trump criticized the FDA for pausing the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, implying political bias.

Related Issues

  • Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo will face Congress over COVID nursing home death handling.
  • A lawsuit involving the FDA and ivermectin for COVID treatment was settled, with FDA admitting wrongdoing.

Additional Notes

  • The information about specific donations and affiliations was sourced from Open Secrets and Politico.
  • The pharmaceutical industry's influence is a topic of public and political interest, especially post-pandemic.