Defense & Aerospace

The defense & aerospace industry spent $140.0M lobbying Washington in 2024, up 9% from $128.0M in 2023. With 950 registered lobbyists working the halls of Congress, this is an industry that takes its political influence seriously. Beyond lobbying, the industry poured an additional $45.0M into direct political spending — campaign contributions, PAC donations, and independent expenditures designed to shape who holds power.

The industry's top spenders include Lockheed Martin, Boeing, RTX (Raytheon), among 5 major players. These companies and organizations don't spend millions on lobbying out of civic duty — each dollar is a calculated investment in regulatory outcomes, tax treatment, and government contracts that directly affect their bottom lines. The concentration of spending among a handful of top players reveals an industry where political influence is as important as market competition.

The industry's lobbying efforts center on , , . Each of these issues represents a potential shift in the regulatory landscape that could mean billions in gains or losses for the companies involved. When the stakes are this high, political spending isn't an expense — it's an investment with measurable returns.

With 500 former government officials now working for defense & aerospacecompanies or lobbying firms, the revolving door between Washington and industry spins freely. These former regulators, congressional staffers, and agency officials bring with them not just expertise but relationships — the kind of access and insider knowledge that money alone can't buy. It's the most effective form of influence: putting people who wrote the rules on the payroll of companies those rules are meant to govern.