Sector tops $1billion in contributions, lobbying

WASHINGTON, Oct. 28 (UPI) -- The communications industry has spent over $1.1 billion in lobbying and campaign contributions to both Democrats and Republicans over the past seven years.

The non-partisan Center for Public Integrity reported Thursday that the industry contributed $1.1 million to Democratic presidential nominee Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts and $1.8 million to President Bush's campaign efforts since 1998.

Sen. Tom Daschle, D-S.D., and retiring Rep. Richard Gephardt, D-Mo., Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., and Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John McCain, R-Ariz., each reportedly received over $900,000 from industry sources during the same period.

The totals include funding from both companies and labor interest, including $12.1 million in campaign contributions from the Communications Workers of America and $12.5 million from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

Among corporate donors, Verizon tops the list having contributed $10.7 million, followed by SBC at $10.5 million, Time Warner at $8.2 million and AT&T at $7.8 million.

In terms of lobbying General Electric reportedly spent $105 million with Verizon at $102.4 million, AT&T at $75 million, and SBC at $72.8 million rounding out the top four.