In 2006, The Boston Globe reported: "General Electric Co. spent $21.5 million last year trying to influence the US government, the most of any corporation, as total lobbying costs rose even as Congress began looking at ways to rein in such activities."

GE's relationship with the U.S. Government is a vital aspect of its business: "Federal contracts for General Electric, based in Fairfield, Conn., rose to $3.8 billion during the two years ending Sept. 30, 2004, the last period for which figures are available."

In June of this year, in an article headlined "General Electric is Once Again the Lobbying Champion," The Washington Times reported: "General Electric spent more on lobbying in this year's first quarter than any other company, newly filed federal lobbying reports show. The company shelled out $7.2 million for lobbyists in April, May, and June--that's $160,000 each day Congress was in session."