Of the top 25 corporations and trade associations lobbying the federal government, twenty increased their spending in the fourth quarter of 2013.
The increase in spending by the biggest Washington lobbying organizations goes across industry categories and shows interest groups still are willing to make large expenditures to lobby Congress and the executive branch.
The top 25 organizations spent a total of $128,908,949 during the fourth quarter of 2013 – up from having spent $103,274,083 in the third quarter. It is not clear if this pattern will hold up for all organizations. Overall lobbying expenditures totals have been dropping in the previous three quarters. Overall totals show $839 million spent on lobbying in 2012 Q4, $835 million in 2013 Q1, $807 million spent in 2013 Q2, and $787 million spent in 2013 Q3.
2013 4th Quarter Top 25 organizations by amount spent on lobbying:
Chamber of Commerce of the U.S. $16,490,000 in the fourth quarter – up from $12,160,000 in the third quarter.
National Assn. of Realtors $12,620,000 – up from $8,240,000.
Northrop Grumman Corp. $7,340,000 – up from 3,800,000.
National Cable & Telecommunications Assn. $6,600,000 – up from 4,440,000.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform $5,810,000 – up from $3,690,000.
Grocery Manufacturers Assn. $4,950,000 – down from $7,470,000.
CVS Caremark Corp. $4,908,939 – up from $2,209,926.
Comcast Corp. $4,780,000 – up from $3,980,000.
American Hospital Assn. $4,560,000 – up from 3,750,000.
American Medical Assn. $4,240,000 – down from $4,270,000.
Open Society Policy Center $4,190,000 – up from $3,900,000.
Business Roundtable $4,150,000 – up from 2,860,000.
Southern Company $4,050,000 – up from $2,400,000.
Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers (PhRMA) $4,050,000 – up from $4,020,000.
Google Inc. $3,980,000 – up from $3,370,000.
General Electric Company $3,890,000 – up from $3,420,000.
United Technologies $3,870,000 – up from $3,850,000.
National Assn. of Broadcasters $3,800,000 – up from $3,260,000.
Boeing Company $3,720,000 – down from $3,790,000.
AT&T Inc. $3,635,000 – down from $4,300,000.
America’s Health Insurance Plans Inc. $3,630,000 – up from 2,210,000.
CTIA – The Wireless Assn. $3,570,000 – up from $3,130,000.
Verizon Communications $3,460,000 – up from $3,040,000.
Lockheed Martin Corp. $3,350,000 – down from $3,460,000.
General Dynamics Corp. $3,265,010 – up from $2,254,157.
