Anthropic spent $3.53 million on federal lobbying in the first half of 2026, nearly tripling its expenditure and outpacing rival OpenAI by more than $1 million, according to a Financial Times report citing new federal disclosures filed this month. The AI company added the Treasury Department to its list of lobbied agencies for the first time this quarter, as the industry pushes to influence regulations on new model releases, data center construction, and power supply. Technology, artificial intelligence, and prediction market companies collectively spent record sums—$41 million across 11 major firms from January to June 2026—lobbying Washington, an 8% increase from $38 million in the same period of 2025.
Anthropic Outspends OpenAI with $3.53 Million in First Half of 2026
Anthropic reported $1.97 million in lobbying spending for the second quarter of 2026, its highest quarterly total since the company began lobbying in March 2024. Over the full six-month period from January to June, Anthropic's expenditure reached $3.53 million. OpenAI nearly doubled its own spending to a record $2.22 million for the first half of 2026, with $1.2 million spent in the second quarter alone. Federal rules on new model releases now sit at the top of the industry agenda, alongside influence over data center construction and power supply policies. Amba Kak, co-executive director of 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.
Tech Industry Lobbying Reaches $41 Million Across 11 Companies
Issue One counted $41 million in combined spending from January to June 2026 across 11 major technology, social media, and AI companies and their trade associations. The total works out to more than $226,000 per day, an 8% increase from $38 million in the same period of 2025. Six of those companies—Alphabet, Anthropic, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia, and OpenAI—retained 324 lobbyists during the second quarter alone, equaling roughly one lobbyist for every 1.5 members of Congress. Four years ago, Anthropic, Nvidia, and OpenAI had no federal lobbyists.
Meta Leads Second-Quarter Spending at Nearly $6 Million
Meta led second-quarter lobbying spending at nearly $6 million. Alphabet followed with $5.3 million, Microsoft with about $3 million, and Nvidia with $1.25 million. Anthropic's $1.97 million in the second quarter placed it among the top spenders in the AI sector, ahead of OpenAI's $1.2 million over the same three months.
Kalshi Spends $990,000 on Prediction Market Lobbying
Prediction market operators have also stepped up their efforts in Washington. Kalshi spent $990,000 on lobbying in the first half of 2026. Including outside firms, its total reached nearly $1.8 million. Polymarket keeps a smaller footprint.
FAQ
How much did Anthropic spend on federal lobbying in the first half of 2026?
Anthropic spent $3.53 million on federal lobbying from January to June 2026, nearly tripling its expenditure. The company reported $1.97 million in the second quarter alone, its highest quarterly total since it began lobbying in March 2024.
What is the total lobbying spending by tech and AI companies in the first half of 2026?
Issue One counted $41 million in combined lobbying spending from January to June 2026 across 11 major technology, social media, and AI companies and their trade associations. This represents an 8% increase from $38 million in the same period of 2025 and works out to more than $226,000 per day.
Which company led second-quarter lobbying spending in 2026?
Meta led second-quarter lobbying spending at nearly $6 million, followed by Alphabet with $5.3 million, Microsoft with about $3 million, and Nvidia with $1.25 million.
