The auto industry is downshifting its lobbying operation. General Motors Company terminated contracts with ten outside lobbying firms in the second quarter of this year, according to recent disclosure reports. Ford Motor Company (the only member of the Big Three not to take a federal bailout) dropped one firm. And while Chrysler Group LLC hasn’t altered its lineup yet, it reports that it’s spending far less on lobbying.
For GM and Chrysler, the changes are a reflection of the awkwardness of spending millions to lobby the federal government, while simultaneously relying on federal aid. Other companies in the same position have cut back. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac completely stopped all lobbying after they were taken over by the government last year. Likewise, American International Group—which spent nearly $10 million on lobbying in 2008 but is now almost wholly owned by U.S. taxpayers—terminated the last of its lobbying registrations in July, including that of its in-house team. (By contrast, some banks and financial companies that have received bailout money have continued their lobbying operations in D.C.)
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