What to Know
Federal lobbying spending topped $2.2 billion in the first half of 2024, putting the year on track for another nominal record.
This flood of money puts the year on track to set a new nominal record for federal lobbying expenditures, with even more spending expected as Congress scrambles to pass crucial appropriations bills to keep the government running.
By the Numbers
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce spent over $38.2 million on lobbying during the first half of 2024, making it the top lobbying spender during that time. The National Association of Realtors was the second biggest lobbying spender of the first half of the year with $31.4 million paid to federal lobbyists during the first two quarters.
The Pharmaceutical Care Management Association spent nearly $8.4 million on federal lobbying in the first half of this year, putting 2024 on track for another year of record spending. But the PBM trade group’s lobbying was dwarfed by the $16.9 million spent by the Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America as the trade groups fought over drug pricing reforms.
The tech industry also continued to invest heavily in lobbying, with multiple Big Tech companies outpacing their spending during the same period last year.
Dig Deeper
As has become typical in recent years, appropriations and budget issues dominated lobbying efforts. With federal financing set to expire on September 30, just weeks after Congress returns from its summer recess, the pressure is on to secure a funding deal in order to avoid a government shutdown.
If lawmakers fail to reach an agreement on a full-year budget and secure approval from the White House by the end of September, a stopgap measure will be essential to keep government operations afloat while negotiations continue. Failing to pass a new appropriations bill or a stopgap measure could result in the shutdown of significant portions of the government.
