Who Spends the Most Lobbying the US Government

The CTIA, which represents the wireless communications industry, has been urging the federal government to maintain a steady supply of spectrum used for wireless communications to meet private sector needs. The spectrum is finite and the government controls access, but cellphone use in the U.S. topped 42 trillion megabytes in 2020, according to the group.

The world’s second-largest broadband and telecommunications company by revenue is also among the largest lobbying spenders. New York City-based Verizon is one of seven corporations on the list of the top 20 largest lobbying spenders of 2021.

The BIO, which represents the biotech industry, is partnered with another organization on this list, the Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America. The two groups oppose “Medicare for all” proposals that would offer Americans a publicly-funded alternative to employer-provided health insurance.

The Philadelphia-based owner of NBCUniversal is the world’s second-largest broadcast and cable company and the largest provider of home internet service in the United States based on revenue, according to Fortune magazine. Comcast spends almost all of its lobbying money on influencing lawmakers regarding telecommunications services.

The Chicago-based aerospace company, maker of 737 commercial aircraft and Apache attack helicopters, is the top U.S. lobbyist on issues pertaining to air transport, followed by package carriers FedEx and UPS. Politico reported that three of the company’s top lobbyists recently departed, including its vice president of legislative affairs in March.