Anthropic and OpenAI have dramatically ramped up their federal lobbying efforts, with Anthropic nearly tripling its spending to $3.53 million in the first half of 2026. OpenAI nearly doubled its outlay to a record $2.22 million over the same period. The surge comes as the industry braces for new federal rules on AI model releases.
Industry-wide spending hits $41 million
Combined lobbying by 11 major technology, social media, and AI companies and their trade associations reached $41 million from January to June 2026. That's an 8% increase from $38 million in the same period of 2025. Six companies — Alphabet, Anthropic, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia, and OpenAI — retained 323 lobbyists during the second quarter alone.
Meta led Q2 spending at nearly $6 million, followed by Alphabet at $5.3 million, Microsoft at $3 million, Nvidia at $1.25 million, Anthropic at $1.97 million, and OpenAI at $1.2 million.
Newcomers to K Street
Just four years ago, Anthropic, Nvidia, and OpenAI had no federal lobbyists on staff. Their rapid hiring reflects a shift from hands-off to aggressive engagement. Anthropic added the Treasury Department to its list of lobbied agencies for the first time in the second quarter of 2026, signaling a broader focus beyond just tech policy.
Prediction market operator Kalshi also stepped up, spending $990,000 on lobbying in the first half of 2026. Including outside firms, its total hit nearly $1.8 million.
What's driving the spending
Federal rules on new model releases are now the top item on the industry's lobbying agenda. Companies want to shape how the government will oversee powerful AI systems before any legislation is written. The push is both defensive and proactive.
Amba Kak, co-executive director of the AI Now Institute, said: “The lobbying offensive has been as much about deterring regulation as making the case for an affirmative government industrial policy that supports the industry.”
The next big test comes this fall, when Congress is expected to take up a comprehensive AI bill. The industry's $41 million bet is already paying off in access — but whether it will shape the final rules remains an open question.
