USA Today this morning:
The recession has battered the U.S. economy, but the lobbying industry is humming along in the nation’s capital, even for companies that have shed thousands of jobs in the past year.The 20 trade associations and companies that spent the most on lobbying increased their spending by more than 20% in 2009 to $507.7 million, up from $418.2 million a year earlier, according to a USA TODAY analysis of reports compiled by the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics.
The top 10 spenders: US Chamber of Commerce ($144.5m spend in 2009), ExxonMobil ($27.4m), Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America ($26.4m), General Electric ($25.5m, Pfizer ($24.6m), American Assocition of Retired People ($21.0m), Chevron ($20.8m), Blue Cross / Blue Shield ($20.0m), and the National Association of Realtors ($19.5m). Followed by: Conoco Phillips; Verizon; FedEx; Boeing; American Hospital Association; National Cable and Telecommunications Association; Northrop Grumman; Lockheed Martin; Business Roundtable; Altria Group.
