OpenAI and Anthropic increased their federal lobbying spending to record levels in the second quarter of 2026, according to federal lobbying disclosures. The two AI developers spent $3.17 million combined during the quarter, up 23% from the first three months of the year, as they sought to influence Washington ahead of the midterm elections and their anticipated IPOs. Anthropic spent $1.97 million from April through June, up 26% from the first quarter, while OpenAI spent $1.2 million, an increase of nearly 18%. Companies must report lobbying spending quarterly to Congress, providing insight into which industries are most active in shaping federal legislation and regulation. The AI industry's increased lobbying comes as established technology and defense companies maintain significantly higher overall spending, though the gap is narrowing.
Anthropic and OpenAI Narrow Gap with Tech and Defense Industry Leaders
Anthropic spent more on lobbying than Nvidia during the second quarter of 2026 and nearly matched Oracle's $2 million total. OpenAI came within $50,000 of Nvidia, which spent $1.25 million. Both AI companies sharply increased their spending from the second quarter of last year: Anthropic's more than doubled, while OpenAI's nearly doubled. The companies reported lobbying on issues including cybersecurity, copyright, cloud computing and defense procurement.
Magnificent 7 Tech Companies Maintain Steady Q2 2026 Lobbying Spending
Five Magnificent 7 tech companies—Meta, Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Nvidia—spent a combined $21.25 million on federal lobbying during the second quarter of 2026, essentially unchanged from $21.27 million in the first quarter. Meta remained the largest spender at $5.99 million, though its lobbying expenditures fell 15% from the first quarter. Amazon's spending was nearly unchanged at $4.36 million. Google increased its spending 25% from last quarter to $3.57 million, while Microsoft raised its total nearly 13% to $2.69 million. These companies collectively boosted their lobbying spending 7.7 percent compared with the second quarter of 2025. They reported lobbying on issues including trade, China, taxes and export controls.
Defense Contractors Reduce Federal Lobbying Expenditures in Q2 2026
The eight largest U.S.-based publicly traded defense contractors, ranked by fiscal 2024 Defense Department contract obligations, spent $19.68 million on federal lobbying in the second quarter of 2026, down 3.3% from $20.36 million in the first quarter. Lockheed Martin led the group at $4.18 million, followed by RTX at $3.86 million and General Dynamics at $3.42 million. RTX cut its spending by $600,000, the largest decline in dollar terms among the defense companies. L3Harris reported the steepest percentage drop, reducing its spending nearly 45% to $530,000. Huntington Ingalls, Northrop Grumman and Leidos also posted double-digit declines. Boeing had the biggest spending increase among the eight companies, increasing spending 13% to $2.77 million.
FAQ
How much did OpenAI and Anthropic spend on lobbying in Q2 2026?
OpenAI and Anthropic spent $3.17 million combined on federal lobbying in the second quarter of 2026, up 23% from the first quarter. Anthropic spent $1.97 million, up 26% from the first quarter, while OpenAI spent $1.2 million, an increase of nearly 18%.
Which tech company spent the most on lobbying in Q2 2026?
Meta remained the largest spender among the Magnificent 7 tech companies in the second quarter of 2026 at $5.99 million, though its lobbying expenditures fell 15% from the first quarter.
How did defense contractors' lobbying spending change in Q2 2026?
The eight largest U.S.-based publicly traded defense contractors spent $19.68 million on federal lobbying in the second quarter of 2026, down 3.3% from $20.36 million in the first quarter. Lockheed Martin led the group at $4.18 million.
