These sums of money are startling, to say the least. From
Political Money Line (which doesn't appear to have permalinks):
The
U.S. Chamber of Commerce and its
Institute for Legal Reform reported spending $53.38 million lobbying the Executive and Legislative branches during 2004. This is the
largest twelve-month amount reported spent by any group.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce reported spending $8,780,000 in the last six months of 2004. They reported spending $20,060,000 in the first six months of 2004. Their lobbying by forty-five lobbyists in the last six months of 2004 was on thirty-two issue areas, including Trade, Small Business, Labor, Healthcare, Defense, Appropriations, Tort Reform and other areas. View latest filing.
The US Chamber Institute for Legal Reform reported spending $14,540,000 in the last six months and $10,000,000 in the first six months. Their lobbying by five lobbyists in the last six months of 2004 was on the tort reform issue including Class Action Fairness, Asbestos Injury Resolution, Legal Reform, and Lawsuit Abuse Reduction. View latest filing.
View full list of Chamber and Institute's lobbyists and specialty areas.
Now you know why tort "reform" is such a hot topic in Congress.