OpenAI and Anthropic Outspend Nvidia on Washington Lobbying in Q2 2026

OpenAI and Anthropic set a record for federal lobbying spending in the US in the second quarter of 2026. Together, they put $3.17 million into dealing with government officials, 23% more than in the first quarter. CNBC reported the figures, citing official filings.

How much the labs spent

OpenAI and Anthropic together spent $3.17 million on lobbying in Washington between April and June 2026, a record for both companies. Anthropic accounted for most of that: $1.97 million, up 26% from the previous quarter. OpenAI's share was about $1.2 million, the remainder of the combined total.

• Q2 2026 (April–June): combined spending of $3.17 million, +23% from Q1
• Anthropic: $1.97 million, up 26%
• OpenAI: about $1.2 million
• Both companies outspent Nvidia on lobbying in Washington
• CNBC reports the figures, citing official lobbying disclosures

Why the startups are overtaking the giants

Anthropic, one of the youngest players in the market, spent more on lobbying than Nvidia, one of the most valuable chipmakers in the world. According to CNBC, in the second quarter of 2026 both OpenAI and Anthropic outspent Nvidia on dealing with US federal authorities for the first time.

For relatively new companies, this is a sharp reversal. Just a couple of years ago, AI labs barely registered on Washington's agenda, and government-relations budgets were traditionally the domain of mature tech and semiconductor corporations. Growth of 23–26% in a single quarter shows how quickly young AI companies are building up their political presence.

"OpenAI and Anthropic now spend more on lobbying in Washington than Nvidia,"

CNBC reports, citing quarterly lobbying filings.

Why AI companies lobby

AI labs are raising their lobbying budgets as the US debates rules for artificial intelligence. How model training, copyright, safety and technology exports are regulated bears directly on the business of OpenAI and Anthropic, so both companies want to shape the wording of future rules.

The combined $3.17 million for the quarter is still modest by the standards of America's largest corporations, but the pace matters more than the absolute figure. Record spending and double-digit growth suggest the AI sector is becoming a political force in its own right in Washington.

What this means

AI labs are buying themselves a seat at the table. By outspending Nvidia on lobbying, OpenAI and Anthropic are signaling that they intend to take part in writing the rules the entire industry will live by. AI regulation is no longer abstract: there is already a money fight over it.

Frequently asked questions

How much did

OpenAI and Anthropic spend on lobbying in Q2 2026?

Together, $3.17 million, 23% more than in the first quarter. Of that, $1.97 million came from Anthropic (up 26%) and about $1.2 million from OpenAI.

Is it true that they outspent Nvidia?

Yes. According to CNBC, in the second quarter of 2026 both OpenAI and Anthropic outspent Nvidia on federal lobbying in Washington for the first time.