Common Cause targets Glaxo, Pfizer to Quit ALEC

Call follows exodus of major corporations:Coca-Cola, Kraft, Pepsi, McDonald’s Wendy’s

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In the wake of the exodus of major American companies from the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), Common Cause today called on Pfizer and GlaxoSmithKline to follow suit and quit their membership.

“The public is fed up with big pharmaceutical companies pursuing profit over the interests of the average American. ALEC’s agenda to limit voting rights, undermine our public schools, assault collective bargaining and weaken laws protecting our environment is in diametric opposition to the public interest,” said Bob Edgar, president of Common Cause. “This is neither good business nor responsible corporate citizenship.”

Many Americans have learned about ALEC in recent weeks through news stories detailing its role in the proliferation of “Stand Your Ground” laws similar to the Florida statute at issue in the death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.

Coca-Cola, Kraft Foods, PepsiCo and Intuit confirmed last week that they’ve already withdrawn from ALEC. On Monday, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation announced that they will no longer be making grants to ALEC, and McDonald’s revealed that they are no longer a member. Tuesday, Wendy’s announced that they too are no longer a member.