What Does Lobbying Cost You?

In 2025, organizations spent $2.7 billion lobbying Congress — a record high. That money influences the laws that affect your taxes, healthcare, and daily life. Here's how it breaks down.

Your Personal Lobbying Share

$
$16.88

Your proportional share of the $2.7 billion spent lobbying Congress in 2025. That's $1.41/month worth of corporate influence on the laws that govern your life.

Where the Lobbying Money Goes

Healthcare & Pharma
22%
$3.71
Finance & Insurance
15%
$2.53
Technology
14%
$2.36
Energy & Environment
12%
$2.03
Defense & Security
10%
$1.69
Transportation
7%
$1.18
Trade & Tariffs
6%
$1.01
Other
14%
$2.36

*Based on $2.7B total lobbying spend and approximate industry shares from our data.

The ROI Problem

Academic research shows lobbying returns $6-$220 for every $1 spent. Our data shows even higher: McKesson spent $1.45M lobbying and received $11.8B in government contracts — an 8,187x return.

See the ROI Calculator →

The Revolving Door

5,000 former government officials now work as lobbyists. They use their insider knowledge and relationships to influence the same agencies they once served.

See the Revolving Door →

Why This Matters

Lobbying is legal. But when companies can spend billions to influence Congress while individual citizens can spend nothing, the playing field isn't level. The first step to accountability is transparency — and that's what OpenLobby provides.