Lobbying money spikes under President Trump

Eight months into its current session, Congress has passed no major legislation.

Republicans control both houses and the White House, yet they failed to produce a new healthcare bill. Now, as legislators' shift their focus to tax reform, the effort appears to be growing less ambitious by the day.

It can be tempting to declare that this is a do-nothing Congress. But a review of public disclosure records shows that Congress is unusually busy … being lobbied by interest groups and businesses.

Lobbyists are on track to spend more money this year than any year since 2010. People who study money in politics say that expected increase stems from a single party controlling the Congress and executive branch, as well as from expected legislation that usually comes at the beginning of a new president's term.

But some of the increase also comes from the unique array of issues coming before Congress. An anticipated healthcare bill drew increases in spending from insurers, hospitals, drug companies, and other related healthcare companies. And the prospect of a major tax reform bill for the first time in more than a decade is attracting the attention of businesses in a variety of industries.