UPS leads FedEx in PAC spending

Both contributed to Sens. Lincoln, McCain

By Bartholomew Sullivan

Memphis Commercial Appeal

WASHINGTON -- While FedEx substantially outspent rival UPS in corporate lobbying in the second quarter, the companies' political action committees' spending show UPS ahead so far this year.

FedEx is determined to make sure that this year's Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act does not contain a provision that would make it easier for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters to organize some of its Express workers.

It spent $7.04 million on that issue and others lobbying Congress in the three months ending June 30. UPS spent $1.28 million and the Teamsters spent $405,100.

But Federal Election Commission records also show the Federal Express PAC spent $224,050 in June and $482,500 so far this year. United Parcel Service's PAC spent $176,255 in June but $757,798 this calendar year.

The Teamsters' political spending is mainly done through local bargaining units and is typically for state and local office seekers.

Some readers posting online comments under a story Wednesday about FedEx and UPS corporate lobbying appeared to confuse it with campaign contributions from the companies' political action committees. In many instances, contributions to their PACs come from employees.

Both FedEx and UPS PACs gave money to both Sen. Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas' re-election effort and John McCain's of Arizona last month.

In June, FedEx's gave to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee ($15,000), the National Republican Congressional Committee ($15,000), Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback's Presidential campaign committee ($2,500), the Alabama Republican Party ($10,000), the Illinois Senate Democratic Victory Fund ($3,500), the Tennessee Republican Party ($15,000), the California Democratic Party ($25,000) and the Gov. Arnold Schwarznegger's California Dream Team ($25,000), among others.

During the same period, the UPS PAC gave to For America's Republican Majority ($2,500), the Virginia Majority Initiative Keep Electing Republicans Fund ($2,500), Mississippi Democrat Bennie G. Thompson's re-election committee ($1,000) and the Ohio Republican Party ($2,500) and others.