Foes of Texas' abortion ban are taking aim at companies that donated money to the bill’s sponsors, hoping consumers will pressure corporate America to join the fight against a surge of restrictions.
Texas' ban is the strictest in the nation and allows private citizens to sue individuals who assist women getting abortions after the first six weeks of pregnancy. The top consumer and tech companies in the state have stayed noticeably silent about the new legislation, and some have been targeted by reproductive rights activists for donating to the lawmakers who passed the bill.
Television and digital ads launched this past week by the Democratic Party’s opposition research arm, the Corporate Accountability Action and American Bridge 21st Century, highlighting AT&T, Time Warner Cable/Charter Communications and NBC Universal's contributions to Texas Republican lawmakers.
Corporate Accountability Action (CAA) found that Dallas-based telecom company AT&T donated more than $645,000 over the past two years to nearly 22 lawmakers who sponsored the measure. Time Warner Cable/Charter Communications donated $523,661, and NBC Universal gave $88,000 to the primary sponsors in Texas, CAA reported.
AT&T said in a statement it does not take a position on the issue of abortion or endorse the law known as Senate Bill 8, and gave money to legislators on both sides.
However, pro-choice activists and Democrats continue to be vocally critical about AT&T and other companies' ambivalence toward the bill.
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“This is a moment in our country where there is no middle ground. You really can’t be on the sidelines,” said Cecile Richards, past president of Planned Parenthood and current co-chair of American Bridge 21st Century.
Why are companies staying silent while others speak out?
Some companies, such as customer-management firm Salesforce and dating apps like Bumble and Match.com, pushed back against the Texas abortion law after it went into effect a month ago.
CNBC reported that the Salesforce told employees in a Slack message it will help them move "if you have concerns about access to reproductive healthcare in your state."
On Friday night, CEO Marc Benioff tweeted a post about the story, adding, “Ohana if you want to move we’ll help you exit TX. Your choice.”
In a Match.com internal memo shared with USA TODAY, CEO Shar Dubey wrote, "I immigrated to America from India over 25 years ago and I have to say, as a Texas resident, I am shocked that I now live in a state where women’s reproductive laws are more regressive than most of the world, including India. Surely everyone should see the danger of this highly punitive and unfair law that doesn’t even make an exception for victims of rape or incest. I would hate for our state to take this big step back in women’s rights."