Health care, tech big spenders on lobbying federal government

Business groups and other special interests spent more than $1 billion lobbying Congress and federal officials in the first half of 2004, according to PoliticalMoneyLine, a Web site that tracks lobbying expenditures and campaign contributions.

Spending for the year as a whole likely surpassed $2 billion, a new lobbying record.

The health care industry was the biggest spender, at $163 million, followed by communications and technology at $138 million, and finance and insurance at $135 million.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce was the top lobbying organization, spending more than $20 million in the first half of the year. Its affiliate, the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform, was No. 2 at $10 million. Rounding out the top five were the American Medical Association, General Electric and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America.

For more information, see www.politicalmoneyline.com