Overview
As a leading company in the aerospace and defense sector and a significant employer in multiple states, HII remains actively involved in the public policy process at the federal, state, and local levels on behalf of our shareholders and our employees. Our political engagement is undertaken in accordance with applicable laws and consistent with our strong commitment to HII company mission, purpose, and values. Further, our involvement includes advocacy efforts at federal, state, and local levels in accordance with our robust internal policies and disclosed by the company through public filings in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. The most recent Lobbying Disclosure Act filings submitted to the U. S. Congress can be found here.
Governance
Our political engagement and related activities are managed by the Executive Vice President, Government and Customer Relations, who reports directly to our Chief Executive Officer. In addition, the Governance and Policy Committee of the HII Board of Directors is responsible for reviewing and overseeing the company’s policies and spending with respect to government relations, including political activities, and provides oversight of the compliance and policies of the HII Political Action Committee (HIIPAC). The Governance and Policy Committee receives reports semi-annually on the company’s political activities. Contributions and expenditures are made to promote the interests of the company and are made without regard to the personal political preferences of any specific employee.
Corporate Expenditures
HII does not use corporate funds, either monetary or in-kind, to contribute to federal candidates, political parties, or political committees. Starting in 2026, HII will not use corporate funds to contribute to state or local candidates. The company encourages political and civic engagement by our employees as part of our citizenship commitment to the communities in which we live and work. Employees may not be reimbursed, directly or indirectly, by the company for personal political contributions and expenses.
HII Political Action Committee (HIIPAC)
Certain eligible employees of HII participate in an employee funded federal political action committee known as HIIPAC. This employee-led organization receives voluntary, personal contributions from individual employees and provides financial support to candidates for federal, state, and local office whose positions align with the best interests of HII as an enterprise and the greater aerospace and defense industry. HIIPAC is governed by an employee operating committee with oversight from an executive committee led by the Chief Executive Officer. Both committees are comprised of leaders from each of the company's three operating divisions and the corporate office. As discussed above, additional oversight is provided by the Governance and Policy Committee of the HII Board of Directors.
HIIPAC contributions are not determined by the private political preferences of any specific employee. HIIPAC makes political contributions in a bipartisan manner based on alignment with established criteria and our company values. HIIPAC thoroughly evaluates potential contributions to candidates based on the following:
- Demonstrated support for national defense and the aerospace & defense industrial base
- Presence of HII facilities, employees & suppliers in a given state/district
- Membership on relevant committees of jurisdiction
- Leadership positions & seniority
- Military and/or other previous experience
HIIPAC disbursements are reported monthly to the Federal Election Commission. HIIPAC contributions to state and local candidates are disclosed with each state as required by law.
Trade Associations
As part of our participation in the legislative and regulatory processes, HII contributes to trade associations whose mission and agenda align with the interests of our business. We publicly disclose and update annually a list of trade associations to which HII contributes at least $25,000 in annual membership dues, including the non-deductible portion of such dues. This list can be found here. HII restricts the use of its dues payments to non-election related purposes.
Other Matters
Additionally, the company does not contribute to efforts to approve or defeat ballot measures or referendums in certain states. HII does not use corporate funds for independent expenditures or electioneering communications and restricts the use of its funds given to 501(c)(4) organizations to non-election related purposes. HII does not contribute to organizations formed under Section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code and does not contribute to “Super PACs”.