Lobbying By the Numbers

12,281

The number of registered lobbyists in 2013, the lowest number since 2002

100,000

The true number of lobbyists, according to the American Bar Association, which includes those not actually registered as lobbyists

$3.2 billion

The official amount spent on lobbying in 2013

$9 billion

The unofficial estimate of money spent on lobbying, according to the American Bar Association

$3.3 million

Amount earned by former Democratic Senator Chris Dodd as the chief of the movie industry lobby in 2013. Dodd pledged not to become a lobbyist when he retired from the Senate in 2010.

4

Number of the five richest counties in the U.S. that are Washington D.C. suburbs

Source: The Nation