Lobbying spending in the United States hit $1.4 billion in the first three months of the year, according to OpenSecrets, a nonprofit that tracks campaign finance and lobbying data. The figure marks the highest nominal amount ever recorded for a first quarter. Adjusted for inflation, it is the highest quarterly total since 2010.
As the following chart shows, lobbying spending typically peaks in the first and final quarters of the year. Total spending in 2025 reached $5.2 billion, the highest annual level since 2008, when it hit $5.3 billion during the first year of former U.S. president Barack Obama’s administration.
OpenSecrets also tracks so-called “dark money” spending. This money is given by organizations that are not required to disclose their donors. Although these organizations are supposed to report direct political expenditures to the Federal Election Commission, activities categorized as “educational” or related to “membership building” are exempt from disclosure requirements.
Recent presidential election cycles have seen substantial amounts of dark money flow into U.S. politics. In 2024, roughly $14.4 million was spent overall, both supporting and opposing Democratic and Republican candidates. According to the Brennan Center for Justice, dark money contributions to super PACs far exceeded direct political spending.
