Will $1.2 Million a Day Convince Congress to Buy Big Pharma's Rx for Change?

http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2009/06/will-12-million-a-day-convince.html

Published by Michael Beckel on June 25, 2009 6:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
The pharmaceutical and health products industry has long been the top dog on K Street. Since 1998, the industry has spent more than $1.6 billion on federal lobbying. Last year alone, it spent more than $234 million — a sum that translates into roughly $125,000 every hour that Congress was actually in session. Furthermore, in the first three months of 2009, it spent more than $66.5 million on these politicking efforts — or about $1.2 million a day that Congress has been open for business. And these figures are just a portion of their overall expenditures. They also spend big on advertising, research, polling and other efforts that don't get classified as lobbying.

Within this industry, the trade group Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) leads the way on lobbying activities, spending more than $20.2 million last year, or $10,750 an hour that Congress was in session. Only six other companies in all sectors combined spent more on lobbying last year. Three other drug companies spent more than $10 million on lobbying in 2008: Eli Lilly, Pfizer and Amgen. Two-dozen others spent between $1 million and $7 million. (Download a list of the top 30 pharmaceutical lobbying clients in 2008 here: *pharma_2008top30.xls Note: If you do use this data, please be sure to credit CRP.)

Time-crunched lawmakers can only hear from so many constituents and interest groups before deciding on pressing issues. To compete in this marketplace of ideas and help promote their policy positions, pharmaceutical companies employ a legion of lobbyists. In 2008 alone, they employed some 2,322 lobbyists — and 1,641 are on their payrolls through March. That is, 15 percent of all lobbyists perform work on behalf of pharmaceutical companies.

Moreover, one in five lobbyists employed by the pharmaceutical industry have morphed from public servant to private lobbyist through Washington's "revolving door." Thus, not only do these individuals bring with them strong advocacy skills, but many also boast thick Rolodexes, filled with connections from previous employment in the chambers of government itself. Former chiefs of staff, legislative directors, counsels, aides and even members of Congress often make compelling cases to government officials with whom they have relationships. And these relationships can also be crucial in obtaining a slice of a policymaker's precious time to begin with.


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