Group Information

Overview Finances Election Activities Funders Principals & Consultants Selected Affiliates Coalition Partners

Overview:

AFL-CIO Stated Purpose: Federation of labor unions representing more than 13 million of America’s workers in 61 member unions. Tax Status: 501(c)(5) Political Orientation: Democratic Profile: September 2004 — The AFL-CIO, a federation of 61 labor unions, has historically been very active in elections. The group disseminated messages in at least 16 U.S. Senate and House contests in 2000 and in at least 14 contests in 2002. The AFL-CIO also ran ads criticizing George W. Bush in 2000 and began an ad campaign in April 2004 that blamed Bush for the offshoring of American jobs because he "stands with his corporate backers, defending tax breaks that actually reward corporations for shipping American jobs to other countries."1 The AFL-CIO has budgeted $44 million to influence the 2004 elections.2 Most, if not all, of the organization's political ads and mailers since 2000 have criticized Republican candidates or praised Democratic candidates.3 In 1996, the AFL-CIO was at the forefront of the expansion of 501(c) groups' use of soft money to influence elections, spending a reported $35 million on electioneering messages and organizational efforts in congressional districts controlled by Republicans.4 Republicans have cited that example as an impetus to form non-profit groups of their own to broadcast soft money ads, such as Americans for Job Security.5 The AFL-CIO also is a member of America Votes, an umbrella Section 527 group attempting to coordinate the efforts of pro-Democratic organizations,6 and created the Alliance for Retired Americans, a 501(c)(4) that promoted Democratic candidates in 2002.7 Many of the AFL-CIO's principals, and former principals, have deep connections to the Democratic Party and pro-Democratic groups. They include: - Executive Vice President Linda Chavez-Thompson is vice chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee.8 - Steve Rosenthal, who was the AFL-CIO's political director from 1996 to 2002, is the CEO and co-founder of America Coming Together, a 527 group that expressly aims to defeat Bush.9 - Joe Velasquez, former head of community services for the AFL-CIO, is a member of the board of directors of American Family Voices, a 501(c)(4) that has run ads hostile to Bush, and is a consultant to New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson -- who in turn has formed a 527 group to encourage Hispanic turnout in the battleground states in 2004.10 11 The AFL-CIO is unusual among 501(c) groups in that the organization typically reports substantial political expenditures in its annual tax filings. In 2000, for instance, the AFL-CIO reported $1.9 million in political expenditures. In 2002, the group reported just under $250,000.12 13 1   Public Citizen's analysis of data contained in the New Stealth PACs database. Data collected from groups' Web sites and annual tax forms, press reports, academic papers on activities of independent political groups and interviews by Public Citizen research staff. 2   "Dispatches from the Democratic National Convention," AFX International Focus, July 27, 2004. 3   Public Citizen's analysis of data contained in the New Stealth PACs database. Data collected from groups' Web sites and annual tax forms, press reports, academic papers on activities of independent political groups and interviews by Public Citizen research staff. 4   Ruth Marcus, "GOP Keeps Fund-Raising Lead Despite Trade Groups' Shift in Giving," Washington Post, Nov. 3, 1996. 5   Jim VandeHei, "Pro-GOP Group Plans $100 Million 'Issue Ad' Blitz", Roll Call, Jan. 15, 1998. 6   Dan Balz and Thomas B. Edsall, "Democrats Forming Parallel Campaign; Interest Groups Draw GOP Fire," Washington Post, March 10, 2004. 7   Thomas B. Edsall, "Liberal Donors Back Anti-Bush Groups," Washington Post, Jan. 31, 2004. 8   Democratic National Committee Web site. (Available at www.democrats.org. Accessed on May 20, 2004.) 9   Sharon Theimer, "Arizona Among States Targeted by Soros," Associated Press, Aug., 10, 2003. 10   American Family Voices 990 form, 2002. 11   "White House 2004 -- The Primary NALEO: They Want All 38 Million Of Your Votes," The Hotline, June 27, 2003. 12   AFL-CIO 990 form, 2000. 13   AFL-CIO 990 form, 2002.