Leading lobbying spenders U.S. 2022 | Statista (2024)

FAQs

Which group spends the most on lobbying? ›

Leading lobbying industries in the U.S. 2022

In 2022, the pharmaceuticals and health products industry in the United States spent the most on lobbying efforts, totaling to about 283.9 million U.S. dollars. In the same year, the insurance industry spent about 122.15 million U.S. dollars on lobbying.

Federal lobbying spending reaches $4.1 billion in 2022 — the highest since 2010. Total federal lobbying skyrocketed to $4.1 billion in 2022, a new OpenSecrets analysis of federal lobbying disclosures found. That's a nominal record and the highest lobbying spending since 2010 when adjusted for inflation.

The pharmaceutical and health products industry has spent the most on lobbying over the past 24 years. Other industries that spend heavily on lobbying efforts include insurance, electric utilities, electronics manufacturing, and business associations.

What are the dominant players in the lobbying market? Business organizations. Three-quarters of all lobbying activity can be accounted for by what? Business groups and trade associations.

Overall in 2021, Gen X (anyone born from 1965 to 1980) spent the most money of any U.S. generation, with an average annual expenditure of $83,357. The second biggest spenders are Millennials with an average annual expenditure of $69,061. Image: Visual Capitalist.

In 2022, the top lobbying spender in the United States was the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, with a total spending of 59.61 million U.S. dollars.

What are the biggest lobbying firms? ›

In 2022, Brownstein, Hyatt et al was the leading lobbying firm in the United States, with expenses of about 45.06 million U.S. dollars. The second leading lobbying firm in that year was Akin, Gump et al, with expenses of 39.15 million U.S. dollars.

Walmart submits quarterly reports to Congress that outline Walmart's federal lobbying activities, including lobbying expenditures for the quarter and the specific legislative items and public policy issues that were the topics of communications.

Lobbying Forms. Lobbying takes a wide variety of forms, depending on what kinds of issues organized interests work for and whom they try to influence. Berry (1977) grouped various forms of lobbying into three general categories: direct lobbying, grassroots lobbying, and electoral lobbying.

Often, lobbyists are past government officials, policy experts, and attorneys.

There are no licensing or certification requirements, but lobbyists are required to register with the state and federal governments. Most lobbyists have college degrees. A major in political science, journalism, law, communications, public relations, or economics should stand future lobbyists in good stead.

Client: Any person or entity that employs or retains another person for financial or other compensation to conduct lobbying activities on behalf of that person or entity. An organization employing its own in-house lobbyist(s) is considered its own client for reporting purposes.

Spends more on sustainable products

Gen Z consumers are more likely to buy sustainable, high-quality, products. 73% of Generation Z consumers are willing to pay 10% more for sustainable products, according to a report from First Insight.

The graph pins down just how much money Americans spend each year, based on 2021 figures. Far and away, Generation X (Americans born between 1965 and 1980) spent the most of any U.S. demographic that year, cracking open their wallets to the tune of $83,357.

How much did Pfizer spend on lobbying last year? ›

Apple's total lobbying efforts came to nearly $9.4 million for all of 2022, a record for the company but just below Microsoft's $9.8 million and Google's $10.9 million. Amazon and Facebook-owner Meta topped the list by total spend, doling out $19.7 million and $19.2 million, respectively.

AARP, formerly the American Association of Retired Persons, is a lobbying group that engages in lobbying at the state, local, and federal level on a range of issues affecting older adults. AARP also has extensive business interests, including in health insurance and brand licensing.

Does lobbying benefit the average citizen? ›

Without it, governments would struggle to sort out the many, many competing interests of its citizens. Fortunately, lobbying provides access to government legislators, acts as an educational tool, and allows individual interests to gain power in numbers.

In the politics of the United States, dark money refers to spending to influence elections where the source of the money is not disclosed to voters. In the United States, some types of nonprofit organizations may spend money on campaigns without disclosing who their donors are.

AMAC is a membership organization for people age 50 and over. The group calls itself "the conservative alternative to the AARP." It is one of several organizations to position itself as conservative rivals to the AARP; others include the American Seniors Association and 60 Plus Association.

The major lobbying firms that remain on K Street, as of 2017, include CGCN Group and K&L Gates.

However, even at the lower end of the scale lobbyists earn respectable incomes, with 25 percent earning 73 thousand U.S. dollars. At the other end of the scale, the top 90 percent of lobbyist earned above 201 thousand U.S. dollars per year.

It is the only milk drink anywhere in the world to outsell Coca Cola in its home market and is now available nationally. The brand is now owned by Bega Cheese.

How much do alcohol companies spend on lobbying? ›

Federal & State Lobbying Activity

Pfizer's federal and state lobbying priorities focus on trade, healthcare, access to prescription drugs, and patent protection, all of which directly impact our business and shareholder value.

There are currently 1,270 registered lobbyists for pharmaceuticals and health products — more than two lobbyists for every member of Congress.

Physicians, insurance companies, and large employers may all hire lobbyists. In fact, all these groups do hire lobbyists. Almost any group, including foreign nations, can hire a lobbyist to help influence federal or state legislation.

There is nothing inherently wrong with lobbying. Lobbying encourages people to play an active role in their government — it's protected by the First Amendment as our right “to petition the government.” The problem is when lobbyists use money to buy influence with our government.

An officer of Duke writes to a Member of Congress urging him or her to vote against an amendment that will be offered during the debate on a bill. This constitutes lobbying because it states a view about specific legislation.

He or she must understand how the federal government works and how decisions are made, and be adept at cultivating relationships within government. Often, lobbyists are past government officials, policy experts, and attorneys.

Lobbyists, Interest Groups, and Power. In many ways, lobbyists are the most direct link—aside from the vote—between voters and their elected representatives. They are hired by interest groups, like businesses, corporations, or associations.

Interest groups - A group of people with common goals who organize to influence the government. Political Action Committee (PAC) - An organization formed to provide financial support for political candidates. A PAC is local or state based.

In 2022, the total lobbying spending in the United States between January and September amounted to 3.06 billion U.S. dollars. In 2021, the total lobbying spending between January and December was around 3.73 billion U.S. dollars.

Who is the strongest lobby in the US? ›

In 2022, the top lobbying spender in the United States was the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, with a total spending of 59.61 million U.S. dollars.

Lobbyist salaries in the U.S. 2021

At the other end of the scale, the top 90 percent of lobbyist earned above 201 thousand U.S. dollars per year.

Non-Profit and Social Welfare Organizations

Non-profit organizations are prohibited from using money from federal awards for most lobbying efforts, though they may set up a separate account of non-public funds for lobbying purposes.