Why It Matters
Google Client Services LLC disclosed lobbying on the regulation of online advertising in its third-quarter 2026 filing, submitted Oct. 20, about five weeks after the Justice Department announced on Sept. 16 that it had won remedies against the company in an ad-tech monopolization case. The filing also lists privacy and data security issues and the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026.
By the Numbers
The in-house third-quarter 2026 report lists $3,230,000, down $340,000 from both the second-quarter 2026 in-house filing ($3,570,000) and the third-quarter 2025 in-house filing ($3,570,000). Across all 16 registrants, the client's third-quarter 2026 total is $4,100,000, down $390,000 from the second-quarter 2026 combined total of $4,490,000.
The in-house filing lists six lobbyists: Ed An, Andrew Ladner, and Jim Mantyh; Christy Woodruff, who served as a policy adviser to multiple Republican senators and briefly as legislative director to Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT); Sam Dybas, who served as a senior legislative assistant to Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL-16); and Stephanie Doherty, Google Cloud's U.S. congressional lead, who served as counsel to the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.
Broader Context
The Justice Department said on Sept. 16 that it had won substantial relief against Google in the ad-tech monopolization case, with remedies aimed at restoring competition in online advertising technology markets. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced S.5007, the SEARCH Act of 2026, on July 15, to address competition in online search and digital advertising markets; it was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee, with no House companion or later action in the record.
On privacy, Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA-18) introduced H.R. 8014, the Online Privacy Act of 2026, on March 19; it was referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee, with no Senate companion or later action in the record. A separate proposal, the Safeguarding and Empowering Consumers through Updated Regulations and Enforcement Data Act (SECURE Data Act), is not named in this filing. A coalition of technology and telecommunications trade groups urged the House Energy and Commerce Committee on June 3 to advance the SECURE Data Act, arguing a federal standard would replace a confusing patchwork of state laws. California Attorney General Rob Bonta led 16 state attorneys general in opposing the bill on June 2, arguing it would replace stronger state protections with weaker ones.
The S.1071 record lists the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 as having become Public Law 119-60 on Dec. 18, 2025, though another record attributes that law to H.R. 3838.
The Bottom Line
Google's total reported lobbying spending ranged from $3.80 million in the first quarter of 2026, the lowest of the five complete quarters, to $4.49 million in the second quarter of 2026. The SEARCH Act of 2026 and the Online Privacy Act of 2026 remain in committee with no floor votes scheduled; the Senate's published calendar lists a target adjournment of Dec. 18, setting the window for action before the 119th Congress lapses.
Access the Legis1 platform for comprehensive political news, data, and insights
Spot something wrong? Report an issue with this article
