Headline: White House Weighs Limits on Proxy Advisers and Index-Fund Voting Power
The White House is evaluating an executive order that could significantly reshape U.S. corporate governance by curbing the influence of proxy-advisory firms and the voting power of major index-fund managers. The review targets how shareholder votes are advised and cast on issues ranging from executive pay to environmental policy.
Officials are considering measures that would tighten oversight of proxy-advisory firms such as Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) and Glass Lewis. Proposals under discussion include restricting firms from issuing recommendations for companies that also purchase their consulting services, and, in a more sweeping option, limiting or halting the distribution of voting recommendations altogether. Supporters of these changes argue that proxy advisers wield outsized influence in shaping annual meeting outcomes and corporate strategy.
The administration is also exploring ways to rein in how index-fund giants—BlackRock, Vanguard, and State Street—exercise proxy voting on behalf of their clients. Together, these firms control about 30% of shares in many large U.S. companies. One option would require asset managers to align votes with client preferences through pass-through or client-directed voting, reducing centralized decision-making by fund stewards and potentially dispersing voting power across a broader base of investors.
These deliberations follow criticism from high-profile executives, including Elon Musk and Jamie Dimon, who argue that proxy firms and large asset managers hold disproportionate sway. The White House has emphasized that no final decisions have been made. ISS has underscored its transparency and existing Securities and Exchange Commission oversight, while Glass Lewis has not commented. If enacted, the measures would mark the most consequential shift in proxy advice and index-fund voting in years, potentially shifting influence back toward individual shareholders and corporate boards.
Key Points – White House considering an executive order to curb proxy-advisory and index-fund voting influence – Options include limiting ISS and Glass Lewis from advising companies they also consult, or restricting their voting recommendations – Proposals could require client-directed or pass-through voting by major index funds – BlackRock, Vanguard, and State Street collectively hold significant stakes in many large U.S. companies – Business leaders, including Elon Musk and Jamie Dimon, have criticized current proxy and voting practices – Officials say discussions are preliminary, with no final decisions yet reached
