Why it matters:
United Parcel Service significantly increased its federal lobbying expenditures – a nearly 20% jump from the previous quarter – to influence policy on transportation infrastructure, supply chain security, and workforce issues.

By the numbers:

  • $1.25 million went to in-house lobbying efforts
  • $70,000 was distributed among four external lobbying firms

The big picture: The logistics giant is targeting legislation across multiple fronts, particularly focused on protecting its massive transportation network while addressing emerging threats to its business operations.

Supply chain security is a top priority: UPS is heavily engaged on bills addressing:

  • Catalytic converter theft (H.R. 621/S. 154)
  • Organized retail and cargo crime (S. 1404, the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act)
  • Securing the medical supply chain (H.R. 4307/S. 2115, the Medical Supply Chain Resiliency Act)

Transportation policy focus: The company is advocating for:

  • Increased infrastructure spending for surface transportation
  • The REPAIR Act (H.R. 906) addressing vehicle data ownership
  • Implementation of the 2024 FAA Bill
  • Certification of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft

Behind the lobbying:
UPS relies on a team of experienced lobbyists with deep industry knowledge:

  • Nicholas Alexander Lewis has represented UPS consistently since 2005;
  • Michael Kiely began lobbying for the company in 2005;
  • Andrew Okuyiga, a former staffer on the House; Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, brings valuable committee expertise, and
  • The company retains prominent firms including Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, Fierce Government Relations, and Forbes Tate Partners.

Between the lines:
UPS’s extensive lobbying reflects its vulnerability to policy changes across multiple domains. These include: infrastructure funding that impacts its delivery network and labor regulations affecting its large workforce to tax policies influencing its bottom line.

What we’re watching:
How UPS’s increased lobbying investment might influence pending legislation on organized retail crime and vehicle data access, both issues with significant bipartisan interest but uncertain legislative paths in the current Congress.

The bottom line:
As a bellwether for the logistics industry, UPS’s lobbying priorities signal which policy areas are likely to see intense activity from the transportation sector in the coming months.

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