November 24, 2008

Detroit's Big Three automakers have spent more than $21.6 million lobbying Congress this year despite coping with a financial crisis that has forced them to slash jobs, cut benefits and plead for a $25 billion federal bailout, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.Despite the worst sales slump in 25 years and fears one or more of the automakers could file for bankruptcy soon, the Big Three are maintaining a pricey expense in hopes of influencing federal policy and securing emergency government aid.The $21.6 million figure will increase after the automakers file disclosure forms in January for the fourth quarter, which will reflect a lobbying push by General Motors Corp., Chrysler LLC and Ford Motor Co. for emergency federal aid. Lobbying efforts this year have been targeted at a range of issues, including environmental policy and the $700 billion Wall Street bailout package, which included a $1 billion tax credit over 10 years for plug-in vehicles and electric vehicles.