Just how busy are Washington lobbyists these days? Consider this: There are nearly 1,000 fewer of them than there were at this time last year—but their clients are spending just as feverishly as they did a year ago, shelling out $1.6 billion through June 30 alone.
Some 12,467 lobbyists registered with the federal government in the first half of this year, down 7% from 2008—putting their numbers at roughly 2006 levels, according to data from the Center for Responsive Politics. (Then again, federal lobbying figures may leave something to be desired.)