Politics

$1.3 Million Per Hour

By Sunlight Foundation & Participatory Politics Foundation

The past year in Congress was one of the most productive sessions ever. Huge issues — climate change, health care reform, financial regulations, jobs — have been on the docket steadily over the past year.

But don’t worry — the lobbyists in Washington have managed to keep up with the pace. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, federal lobbyists spent about $1.3 million on lobbying for every hour that Congress was in session in 2009.

More money was spent by federal lobbyists than ever before in 2009. Leading the way on lobbying expenditures was the Chamber of Commerce, which represents a broad coalition of big businesses and pushes generally for pro-business policies. The second biggest spender in 200 was the health industry. They spent a total of $544 million in the past year, or $204,036 for each hour that Congress was in session.

Full post as published by Open Congress on February 17, 2010 (boomark / email).