$2.5 Billion: Year-To-Date Lobbying Sets New Record

The Center for Responsive Politics reports that total federal lobbying expenditures topped $849 million in the third quarter, setting a new record since firms began filing reports quarterly.

The health sector is the year's top lobbying spender, pouring $396 million to lobbying federal lawmakers on health care reform since January -- an increase of six percent compared to the same period last year.

CRP reports that the total year-to-date spending is now a staggering $2.5 billion. Compare that with the $2.43 billion spent during all of 2005.

Ranking behind the health sector is the miscellaneous business sector, which includes the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The group spent a staggering $363 million during the first nine months of the year.