For the first quarter of 2018, Google spent the most on lobbying Congress among tech and communications companies at over $5 million, a 42.6% jump over the same period in 2017 ($3.52 million). That is according to Consumer Watchdog.
Comcast was not far behind for the first quarter at $4.24 million, up 14% from $3.72 million in the same period last year, with AT&T spending $4.12 million.
Google faces the same regulatory headwinds now buffeting Facebook and other edge providers over their size and power over online information.
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Apple, for example, had the second biggest increase in lobbying spending over the same period (behind Cisco), up 52.3% to $2.14 million.
Amazon spent $3.38 million in the quarter and now has nearly tripled its first-quarter lobbying expenses in the past three years.
Charter spent $2.34 million, up 15.9% from $2.02 million in Q1 2017.
Consumer Watchdog based its numbers on filings with the House of Representatives that were due last week.
