Several Rhode Island companies are suspending or reassessing their political donation strategies following last week’s violence at the U.S. Capitol building.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Rhode Island is endorsing a decision by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association to freeze all political donations to members of Congress who contested the results of the presidential election.
Some companies are taking it a step further. Defense contractors Northrop Grumman and Raytheon – both of which have locations in Rhode Island – have chosen to stop all political action committee contributions for the time being.
Other Rhode Island corporations are taking a more cautious approach. CVS Health is in the process of reviewing its donation policies, while a spokesman for Citizens Bank says his company is not changing its political giving strategy right now, but it is prepared to make changes in the future, if necessary.
Joe Tasca can be reached at jtasca@ripr.org
