Microsoft pauses MSPAC political contributions after turmoil in Washington DC

Microsoft’s MSPAC, or political action committee, has long been controversial at least among some Microsoft employees. The PAC donates to political causes, with a steering committee making decisions on where donations, some to controversial politicians, goes. While the employees can choose to help fund the PAC, they don’t have direct say in where the money goes, causing pushback within the company.

Not good enough. Let's ensure we're not supporting any of the groups that would attempt to overthrow the lawful government. Time for MSPAC to go. Time to promise we will not do business with these individuals or their campaigns, as well.

— Matt Snider (@MattSnider) January 11, 2021

The storming of the Capitol has brought a lot of issues to a head, however, and Microsoft decided last Friday to suspend  political donations, at least for the time being:

“Microsoft’s political action committee decided last Friday that it will not make any political donations until after it assesses the implications of last week’s events,” the company said in a statement. “The PAC regularly pauses its donations in the first quarter of a new Congress, but it will take additional steps this year to consider these recent events and consult with employees.”

Microsoft is one of a number of companies who are taking steps against politicians who supported President Trump in unsupported claims that the 2020 Presidential election was “rigged,” especially now after the violence that occurred at the nation’s Capitol.

Whether this remains just an isolated pause in contributions, or if the company revises how it administers the controversial MSPAC remains to be seen.