Chamber cuts lobbying spending in half for 2011

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce cut its lobbying spending nearly in half in 2011, according to lobbying disclosure reports filed Friday.

The business group, along with the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform, spent close to $65.8 million on lobbying in 2011, according to the reports. That’s a significant drop from 2010, when the Chamber and its legal affiliate spent $131.5 million on lobbying.

A Chamber spokesman said the decrease was standard for an off-election year.

“The Chamber’s lobbying activity remained consistent with previous non-election years and resulted in a number of positive results for our members, including Congress passing the three trade agreements. During the quarter, we continued to aggressively push our six-point jobs plan. These are policies that, if enacted, will help grow the economy and create jobs, without increasing the deficit,” said J.P. Fielder, the Chamber spokesman.

Despite the decline in lobbying spending, the Chamber remains one of K Street’s top spenders.

The business group reported spending almost $14.3 million on lobbying last quarter. That figure easily puts the Chamber at very top of lobbying spenders for 2011’s fourth quarter, beating ConocPhillips, with $4.4. million, and AT&T, with $4.2 million, according to lobbying disclosure reports filed so far.

The 66-page quarterly report filed by the Chamber details an active year of lobbying for the trade association. Issues lobbied on during the last quarter include the Stop Online Piracy Act, regulations stemming from the Wall Street financial reform law and legislation that would curb the authority of the National Labor Relations Board.

Friday was the filing deadline for disclosure reports that detail lobbying revenue for 2011’s fourth quarter.