Engaging With Government
As a leading global manufacturer and U.S. exporter, Caterpillar actively participates in the public policy process, advocating for key issues that align with our purpose and the execution of our strategy. Our 2023 Lobbying Report, The Purpose of Engagement, outlines how we advocate for a policy and regulatory environment that supports our long-term success and provides value to shareholders.
2023 Caterpillar Lobbying Report:
The Purpose of Engagement
The report, which the company issues annually, provides greater transparency and disclosure of the company’s U.S. political engagement strategy, including a description of the governance oversight and management of these activities. Caterpillar’s shareholders have demonstrated interest in more transparency and a better understanding of our political engagement strategy. We value their input and diverse perspectives and have implemented a number of key changes based on shareholder feedback. Our Values in Action, governing laws and strategy for profitable growth continue to guide how we act and manage, with whom we engage, and our areas of focus.
The report includes a spotlight on climate lobbying efforts focused on supporting Caterpillar’s customers during the energy transition, Caterpillar’s relationships with U.S. trade and industry associations, employee engagement in advocacy initiatives and Caterpillar Inc. Political Action Committee governance.
Current U.S. Disclosures
Our commitment to transparency and disclosure in our advocacy activities has long been recognized. As part of that commitment, numerous voluntary disclosures and links to filings related to our political engagements are below. When permitted by law, Caterpillar may make corporate political contributions in the United States that align with Caterpillar’s business interests. We may support political committees, political parties, ballot measure committees, associations and other political organizations, including those operating under section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code. All such corporate political contributions are reported biannually. Caterpillar does not make independent expenditures on behalf of or in opposition to federal, state or local candidates and does not contribute to presidential campaigns or Super PACs.
Based on shareholder feedback, in 2022, we lowered the reporting threshold of our U.S. trade and industry association memberships from $50,000 to $25,000 and provided additional information on the percentage of members’ dues used for federal lobbying. We have further enhanced our disclosures for 2023 to include a tiered reporting of the dollar amount of Caterpillar’s membership dues paid to all U.S. trade and industry associations and the percentage of those dues used for federal lobbying activities, as reported by each organization. To facilitate this reporting function, we have instituted measures designed to ensure that any payments of trade association dues and corporate political contributions are processed in compliance with our political spending policies and tracked to support our disclosures in the Lobbying Report.
In the United States, in compliance with the Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA), Caterpillar files a quarterly report (LD-2) that includes: 1) total federal lobbying expenditures, 2) the name of the specific piece of legislation or subject that was the topic of communication, 3) disclosure of Caterpillar individuals who qualify as lobbyists on behalf of Caterpillar and 4) identification of the legislative body or executive branch agency that was contacted. This report incorporates expenses associated with lobbying the federal government, including the portion of trade association membership dues associated with federal lobbying. As required by the LDA, Caterpillar reports certain contributions and payments on a biannual basis, including those made by CATPAC in our LD-203.
Beginning with our 2023 reports, we provide direct links on our corporate website for the last five years. These and additional records for prior years are available on the U.S. Senate Office of Public Records website or the U.S. House of Representatives Office of the Clerk website.
Caterpillar participates in the public policy process, advocating for a range of issues that supports our corporate strategy and business objectives. The policy priorities below are driven by our enterprise strategy for profitable growth and reflect the value we provide to shareholders, customers and other stakeholders.
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Full StoryFind the latest Annual, Sustainability, Diversity & Inclusion and Lobbying Reports.
View ReportsOur climate and energy statement outlines our commitment to support global efforts to mitigate the risks of climate change brought on by rising energy consumption.
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