Why it matters

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s latest disclosure reveals massive lobbying expenditures across nearly every major federal policy area affecting American business, providing a roadmap of corporate America’s top priorities and concerns.

By the numbers

  • $19.34 million spent on lobbying in Q1 2025
  • 13.7% decrease from Q4 2024’s $22.41 million
  • Still significantly above the Chamber’s historical quarterly average of $12.03 million
  • 17 years of consistent registered lobbying activity since at least 2008

The big picture

The Chamber—Washington’s most influential business lobby—continues positioning itself at the center of debates ranging from artificial intelligence regulation to tax policy, deploying its considerable resources across the entire federal policy spectrum.

What they’re targeting

  • Tech & AI regulation: Engaging on draft legislation including the CREATE AI Act and EPIC Act, while monitoring NIST’s AI Risk Management Framework and FTC rulemaking on privacy
  • Transportation & infrastructure: Working on FAA reauthorization, drone regulations, automated vehicles, and implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
  • Financial services: Fighting CFPB rules on overdrafts and digital payments while engaging on Basel III capital rules and SEC climate disclosure requirements
  • Environment & energy: Lobbying extensively on PFAS regulations, permitting reform, and climate reporting rules

Behind the scenes

The Chamber’s lobbying muscle comes from a seasoned in-house team featuring veterans with decades of Washington experience:

  • John P. Murphy: Former House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee staffer with 27 years of lobbying experience
  • Mattie Duppler: Previous roles on Senate Commerce and House Science committees
  • Thomas Patrick Quaadman: Works with the Chamber’s Institute for Legal Reform

What’s new

The Chamber added two experienced lobbyists to its team this quarter:

The bottom line

Despite a slight quarterly spending dip, the Chamber’s massive Q1 investment and team expansion signal its unwavering commitment to shape federal policy across multiple fronts. For those tracking specific legislation, the Chamber remains an unavoidable force in virtually every major policy debate affecting American business.