As the second quarter of 2016 came to its final stretch towards the finish line, countless lobbying disclosures and statements have piled in compliance with federal regulations. Under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, all lobbying firms and active corporations are required to file quarterly reports that details an array of internal and external financial information. The second quarterly report, covering all lobbying incomes and external spending on lobbying functions between April 1^st and June 30^th, came to its end on July 20^th. The numbers, conveniently provided by Politico Influence, showcase a various palette of incomes received by lobbying firms, top government and corporal lobby spending, and trends in recent and new contracts.

It’s no wonder why so many firms experience such great incomes and fund flows, as they serve as an important messenger and influencer between their clientele and different government relations and persons. Second quarterly reports display the gross incomes received by some of the nation’s top lobbying firms. According to Politico, top firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP accumulated around $9.53 million, a slight decrease from its 1^st quarter income of $9.54 million. The ever growing Podesta Group observed a slight increase from last quarter’s $5.94 million to this quarter’s income average of $5.96 million. BGR Government Affairs, who observed an average income of $4.19 million for the last quarter, observed a warming increase of incomes that ranged up to $4.46 million.

Apart from these recorded incomes, the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 requires that all corporations and government associations and departments must release the amount of lobbying funds that they spend. According to Politico, Some government branches and major corporations have taken it up notch on lobbying spending. The U.S Chamber of Commerce spent around $22.7 million, a huge increase from their last quarter’s spending amount of $15.75 million. Boeing, who’s spending funds accumulated up to $4.48 million, amped up their lobbying spending up to $4.75 million. In contrast, other establishments and companies have lessened their lobbying efforts. Comcast decreased their spending from last quarter’s $3.72 million to their current spending record of $3.38 million. The same applies for AT&T, who decreased their spending amount from $4.48 million to $4.07 million.

Among the reports and information, lobbying contracts also seem to have some trends in comparison from the first and second quarter for 2016. Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP joined with the Gila River Indian Community $690,000 in a uniform contract back in the 1^st quarter. While the two have joined under legal contract once again, the amount ultimately decreased to $520,000. Covington & Burling, who formed a contract with Qualcomm for $630,000 has reduced its amount to a whopping $450,000. Other contracts that were seen in the duration of the last quarter have not made an appearance this quarter, such as the Baker Donelson: Toshiba contract and the Washington Tax & Public Policy Group: Tax Reform Coalition contract.

This entry was posted on Thursday, July 28th, 2016 at 12:29 pm and is filed under Lobbying News by Vbhotla. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.