Big Tech’s Surge in Lobbying Spending Ahead of 2026 Midterms

Tech giants are significantly increasing their investments in lobbying efforts as the 2026 midterm elections approach, aiming to influence government policy on issues ranging from social media regulation to artificial intelligence. Companies like Meta, Alphabet (Google), Amazon, Microsoft, and Nvidia are deploying substantial financial resources to sway lawmakers and shape the legislative landscape.

Record Lobbying Expenditures

Meta continues to lead the pack in lobbying expenditures. The company spent a record $19.7 million on federal lobbying during the first nine months of 2025 [1]. In 2025, Meta invested $26.29 million in political lobbying, surpassing all other companies across all industries [4]. This spending is directed towards advising officials, drafting legislative proposals, and supporting political action committees.

Other major players are also increasing their lobbying budgets. Alphabet spent $13.10 million in 2025, whereas Amazon allocated $17.89 million and Microsoft $9.36 million [4]. Nvidia’s lobbying budget experienced a significant increase, ballooning to $4.9 million, seven times its 2024 expenditure [4].

Tactics Employed

Beyond direct lobbying, tech companies are employing a range of tactics to influence policy. These include splashy billboard advertisements, courting politicians, and building relationships with key figures in Washington D.C. [1]. Meta, in particular, has allocated $65 million to elect AI-friendly state officials in 2026 [1].

Some companies have also hired individuals with close ties to the Trump administration and hosted executives at White House events [4]. Several tech companies pledged funds to rebuild the White House ballroom, a priority of President Trump’s [4].

Shifting Government Policies

The increased lobbying efforts appear to be yielding results, with the federal government adopting more tech-friendly policies. This includes support for building data centers and a reversal of the White House’s ban on selling advanced AI chips to China [4].

Lobbying Trends

While most major tech companies increased their lobbying spending in 2025, some exceptions exist. Qualcomm and Intel substantially cut their budgets [4]. Amazon, Microsoft, and Oracle spent slightly less in 2025 than they did in 2024 [4].

Meta’s Overall Political Spending

In the 2024 election cycle, Meta contributed $5,530,524 and spent $24,430,000 on lobbying [3]. The organization did not engage in outside spending during that cycle [3].

As the 2026 midterm elections draw closer, the intensity of lobbying efforts from tech giants is expected to escalate further, as they seek to protect their interests and shape the future of technology regulation.