Labor Unions Spend $25 Billion on Political Campaigns, but Most Is Never Made Public: Analysis

Political campaign spending by labor unions not reported to the government could reach $25 billion, 90 percent of which goes to Democrats.

President Joe Biden addresses union workers at Sheet Metal Workers Local 19 in Philadelphia, Pa., on Sept. 4, 2023. Mark Makela/Getty Images

Journalists reporting on union political activities typically cite the figure of $54 million as the measure of labor campaign and candidate advocacy spending in 2022, but the actual total is closer to $25 billion, according to a new analysis of mandatory expenditure reports by worker organizations.

The $54 million represents the total derived from union reports to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) for political action committees (PAC) spending during the 2022 campaign cycle.