Whirlpool Corporation
Global Public Policy Engagement
Whirlpool Corporation believes that active participation and engagement in the global public policy arena is important to our company’s success.
Through our government relations and regulatory affairs teams, we aim to drive thoughtful and sustainable policy outcomes on a variety of issues important to our company, including energy, environment, climate change, technology, product safety, trade, taxes, affordable housing, and intellectual property.
Global Policy on Political Activities
In accordance with our Global Policy on Political Activities, Whirlpool Corporation funds or assets shall not be used for the following:
- Contributions to political candidates, parties and campaign committees
- 527 groups* and SuperPACs
- Independent political expenditures
- Ballot initiatives
* Excluding the costs for administration of the Whirlpool Corporation Political Action Committee, as permitted by law.
U.S. Advocacy
Whirlpool Corporation tracks and discloses public policy advocacy activities in jurisdictions where required. U.S. federal lobbying disclosures are available on the U.S. Senate’s Lobbying Disclosure page at https://lda.senate.gov/system/public/ and are provided below:
2022: Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4
2021: Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4
2020: Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4
2019: Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4
2018: Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4
2017: Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4
2016: Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4
In 2022, Whirlpool Corporation was registered to lobby in Michigan.
U.S. Trade and Professional Associations
Whirlpool Corporation belongs to a number of trade and professional associations (501(c)(6) and 501(c) (4) organizations, respectively) at the national, state, and local level. Our company’s positions on public policy issues are often communicated through these organizations, which enables us to reach policymakers more efficiently and in cohesion with industry partners. We regularly review policy positions adopted by these organizations and communicate our specific positions on a wide range of issues and policies with these associations to support alignment with the company’s policy priorities and values. To the extent that there is a significant misalignment with a major association, our executive leadership team will evaluate our continued membership.
For income tax purposes, Whirlpool Corporation receives information from trade associations and tax-exempt organizations regarding the amount of our funds that are used for non-deductible lobbying expenses and political expenditures according to IRS statutes. The following associations notified us that they spent either (a) $25,000 or more of the dues we paid; or (b) 10% or more of the dues we paid, on nondeductible lobbying or political expenditures:
Trade and Professional Association Disclosure By Year
Whirlpool Corporation Political Action Committee
Established in 1976, the Whirlpool Corporation Political Action Committee (WCPAC) is a voluntary federal political action committee. WCPAC is the authorized means for Whirlpool Corporation employees, who are U.S. citizens or have permanent resident status (green card holders), to pool personal, voluntary financial donations to make political contributions to candidates seeking elective office at the federal and state level. Participation in WCPAC is limited to eligible administrative and executive employees.
Whirlpool Corporation administers WCPAC in accordance with federal and state election laws. WCPAC’s activities and all contributions are governed by a volunteer board of directors comprised of employees representing various business units. The company provides no financial support to WCPAC other than the cost of the PAC’s administration as permitted by law. All WCPAC contributions are made without regard for the private political preferences of company executives and are aimed to support effective government policies with a focus on promoting the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturing.
WCPAC is regulated by the Federal Election Commission (FEC). WCPAC files regular reports with the FEC and relevant state election commissions on its receipts and disbursements. Reports filed with the FEC and a complete list of WCPAC political contributions are available to the public at www.fec.gov.
WCPAC Contributions By Year
Oversight
Annually, the Whirlpool Corporation executive leadership team reviews all lobbying activities and expenditures, WCPAC expenditures, as well as trade and professional association alignment with company values and priorities.
All public policy activities and expenditures and all WCPAC expenditures are subject to annual review and ongoing oversight by the Corporate Governance and Nominating (CGN) Committee of the Whirlpool Corporation Board of Directors. The CGN committee is comprised of all independent directors.