One of the largest defense contractors in the nation donated to nearly 150 members of Congress as they debated Ukraine military aid

• One of the nation's largest defense contractors just donated hundreds of thousands to federal lawmakers through its PAC.
• Lockheed Martin contributed to the campaigns of nearly 150 lawmakers in April.

One of the nation's largest defense contractors last month donated to the campaigns of nearly 150 lawmakers as they debated sending arms and defense supplies to Ukraine, according to a new filing with the Federal Election Commission.

The contractor, Lockheed Martin, spent a total of $256,500 in April donating to the campaigns of members of Congress, a gubernatorial campaign, and Republican and Democratic political action committees.

Of Lockheed Martin's PAC's 147 donations to the campaigns of federal legislators, five went to members of the Senate's Armed Services Committee: Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan of Alaska and Democratic Sens. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, and Mark Kelly of Arizona.

The company's PAC also donated to the campaigns of 27 members of the House Armed Services Committee, including Democratic member and chairman Rep. Adam Smith of Washington, whose campaign received $2,500 from the PAC.

A representative from Smith's campaign did not respond to Insider's request for comment.

Lockheed Martin's PAC spending in April represents one of its more active months in the past several years, both in terms of the number of recipients and dollars donated.

In a statement Monday to Insider, Lockheed Martin said its PAC "continues to observe long-standing principles of non-partisan political engagement in support of our business interests."

As Lockheed Martin gave its money to legislators throughout April, lawmakers were discussing more than 10 Ukraine-related bills.

On May 19, the Senate overwhelmingly passed a $40 billion humanitarian and military support package, which President Joe Biden signed into law on Saturday.

Lockheed Martin co-produces Javelin anti-tank missile systems, which Ukrainian defenses have used against Russian forces — the US has sent Ukraine at least 5,500 Javelin systems since Biden took office, with the majority coming after Russia's invasion, according to Breaking Defense. The company also produces fighter jets and a wide variety of other military and defense systems.

Lockheed Martin and Raytheon Technologies announced in mid-May that the two companies' joint Javelin venture was awarded two contracts worth $309 million by the US Army to produce more missiles.

In addition to contributions from its PAC, Lockheed Martin also spends millions each year directly lobbying the federal government, including Congress.

During the first quarter of 2022 alone, Lockheed Martin spent $3.3 million on federal-level lobbying efforts, according to data compiled by nonpartisan research organization OpenSecrets.

A recent Insider analysis found that 20 members of Congress have themselves invested Lockheed Martin or Raytheon Technologies' stock, including Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Democratic Rep. Lois Frankel of Florida.