Lobbyists spend record $849 million

WASHINGTON – A nonpartisan group that monitors political spending says lobbying expenditures hit $849 million for July, August and September.

That’s the most spent in any quarter since lobbyists began filing quarterly reports at the beginning of last year.

The increase comes despite President Barack Obama’s efforts to limit the influence lobbyists have in Washington.

The Center for Responsive Politics says so far this year, lobbying expenditures have totaled $2.5 billion, which slightly exceeds the total spent for lobbying in all of 2005.

–The Associated Press