Your alma mater is lobbying on K Street. Seriously.
You hear about the March Madness brackets? Everyone's got one. Everyone's talking about the upsets. But here's the thing you might not know: your favorite college team, the one you bleed for, might also be spending big money on K Street. UCLA, a perennial powerhouse on the court, just cut down the nets in a different kind of championship, topping the list of schools spending on federal lobbying in Washington, D.C. Follow the money, right?
Here’s what the numbers say. UCLA spent over $1.3 million last year, according to OpenSecrets data. That's more than any other university, public or private, operating in the federal lobbying arena. And it’s not just UCLA. Other big names like the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Michigan, and the University of Texas are all in the game, dishing out hundreds of thousands to influence policy here in Washington, D.C. They're not just looking for sports funding, mind you. They're pushing for research grants, student aid, and a whole host of other legislative priorities that impact their bottom line.
### What This Means for Washington, D.C.
Look, this isn't just about college basketball. This is about the constant flow of influence through this city.
* **Lobbyist Lunch Rush:** That power lunch you see happening at The Monocle, or the quiet conversation at the Hay-Adams bar? It's not always Fortune 500 companies. It could be your old college dean talking shop with a Congressional staffer. * **The K Street Grind:** It highlights how broad the lobbying industry is. It’s not just defense contractors or pharmaceutical companies. It’s everyone, from major universities to small non-profits, trying to get a slice of the federal pie. * **Local Impact:** These institutions are major employers and research hubs. Their ability to secure federal dollars has a direct impact on the local economy and the intellectual capital of the entire region.
It just goes to show you that in Washington, D.C., every institution, no matter how academic or athletic, has a stake in the political game. It’s a constant, never-ending campaign.
Jackson Cole, MiTL Sports Desk, Washington, D.C.
The team on MiTL Mornings digs into these numbers every day – tune in at mornings.live.