Lobbying 9-26-25

Based on analysis of lobbying data for 2025, the U.S. industries spending the most on lobbying are consistently pharmaceuticals/health products, electronics, insurance, and business associations. Lobbying is on track for a record year, driven by specific policy debates and the return of a new administration.  

Top lobbying industries in 2025

Pharmaceuticals and health products

• The pharmaceuticals and health products sector maintained its position as the top spending industry in the first half of 2025, spending $226.8 million.
• Key issues include ongoing debates over drug pricing, Medicare negotiation, and pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) regulations. Spending in this sector increased significantly compared to 2024, partly in response to new legislation and potential tariff changes. 

Electronics manufacturing and equipment

• This sector, which includes major technology companies, ranked second in lobbying spending for the first half of 2025, with $141.4 million.
• Specific issues lobbied on include technology policy, artificial intelligence, online safety, antitrust, and trade regulations. Top spenders within this category include Meta, Amazon, and Google. 

Insurance

• The insurance industry, including health, property, and auto insurance companies, increased its lobbying spending in the first half of 2025 to $90.5 million.
• Specific lobbying efforts were influenced by major legislation affecting healthcare services like Medicare and Medicaid. 

Securities and investment

• This industry spent $88.9 million on lobbying during the first two quarters of 2025.
• Lobbying efforts by investment firms and securities associations often relate to financial regulation, taxes, and other financial services policies. 

Business associations

• National associations that advocate for broad business interests, like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, are consistently among the highest spenders.
• The U.S. Chamber of Commerce spent $19.34 million in the first quarter of 2025 alone. Issues include tariffs, trade, and regulations impacting diverse business interests. 

Key lobbying trends in 2025

• Response to a new administration: Record-breaking lobbying spending is occurring as industries adjust to a new presidential administration and a Republican-led Congress.
• Specific issues drive high spending: Policy debates over drug pricing, tariffs, and tech regulation are causing a surge in lobbying expenditures.
• University lobbying increases: Institutions of higher education have also increased their lobbying spending dramatically in 2025 amid political pressure over diversity policies and campus issues.
• Overall spending on track for a new record: Based on first-half spending, total lobbying expenditures in 2025 are projected to be significantly higher than the 2024 record. 

For the first half of 2025, the pharmaceutical and health products industry has demonstrably spent the most on lobbying efforts in the US. Data from the first two quarters of 2025 shows the pharmaceutical and health products industry spent $226.8 million, an increase of $22 million from the previous year, with $105.4 million spent in the second quarter alone. This increase is linked to efforts to influence legislation like the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act". 

Other industries with significant lobbying spending include Electronics Manufacturing and Equipment, which was the second-highest spender in Q2 2025. Industries such as Education, Health Services, the Environment, and Renewable Energy have also increased their lobbying in anticipation of policy changes. Renewable Energy lobbying specifically rose to $21.7 million in Q2 2025. Industries involved in Defense, Federal Appropriations, Homeland Security, Medicare and Medicaid, and Taxes are also expected to have high spending. 

Historically, significant lobbying spending also comes from industries like Insurance, Electric Utilities, Business Associations, Oil and Gas, and Hospitals/Nursing Homes. 

https://www.google.com/search?q=what+us+industries+spend+the+most+money+on+lobbying+2025

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader