Organization: Johnson & Johnson

Year: 2015

Whereas: Whereas: The Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission interpreted the First Amendment right of freedom of speech to include certain corporate political expenditures involving 'electioneering communications,' which resulted in greater public and shareholder scrutiny; Our policies state that Johnson & Johnson's ('J&J') Political Action Committee ('JJPAC') recipients must 'have a voting record or philosophy that is aligned with the interests of the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies as well as the patients and customers that we serve;' Despite this, political contributions by the company include inconsistencies between donations and corporate values. For instance, J&J's website states that 'We have taken...action to address our greenhouse gas emissions...We also support responsible climate and energy policy.' Yet since 2009, JJPAC designated over 36% of its contributions to politicians voting against the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 and for deregulating greenhouse gases; Additionally, J&J made contributions to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a group from which many other corporations have distanced themselves due to issues with the Chamber's climate policies, raising shareholder concerns about the Company's commitment to the environment; J&J has a equal employment opportunity policy stating that J&J 'strictly prohibits discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment because of the individual's...gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression...' Yet since 2009, JJPAC designated more than 40% of its contributions to politicians voting against hate crimes legislation and the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell, and sponsoring the Federal Marriage Amendment Act, which would eliminate equal marriage rights across the nation. Resolved: Shareholders request that the Board of Directors report to shareholders annually at reasonable expense, excluding confidential information, a congruency analysis between corporate values as defined by J&J's stated policies (including our Climate Friendly Energy Policy, Equal Employment Opportunity Policy, and Statement on Human Right to Water) and Company and JJPAC political and electioneering contributions, including a list of any such contributions occurring during the prior year which raise an issue of misalignment with corporate values, and stating the justification for such exceptions.

Resolved: Resolved: Shareholders request that the Board of Directors report to shareholders annually at reasonable expense, excluding confidential information, a congruency analysis between corporate values as defined by J&J's stated policies (including our Climate Friendly Energy Policy, Equal Employment Opportunity Policy, and Statement on Human Right to Water) and Company and JJPAC political and electioneering contributions, including a list of any such contributions occurring during the prior year which raise an issue of misalignment with corporate values, and stating the justification for such exceptions.

Supporting Statement:Supporting Statement: Proponents recommend that the management develop coherent criteria for determining congruency, such as identifying legislative initiatives that are considered most germane to core company values, and that the report include management's analysis of risks to our company's brand, reputation, or shareholder value, as well as acts of stewardship by the Company to inform funds recipients' of company values, and the recipients' divergence from those values, at the time contributions are made. 'Expenditures for electioneering communications' means spending directly, or through a third party, at any time during the year, on printed, internet or broadcast communications, which are reasonably susceptible to interpretation as in support of or opposition to a specific candidate.