General Dynamics spent $3 million in 4th qtr to lobby Congress, federal government agencies

General Dynamics spent $3M in 4Q to lobby gov’t

NEW YORK — General Dynamics Corp. spent over $3 million during the fourth quarter to lobby the federal government on legislation related to appropriations for various weapons and technology systems.

The $3 million spent by the aerospace and defense contractor compares with $2.5 million paid to lobby the government in the third quarter and $2.3 million during the final quarter of 2008, according to disclosure reports.

In the final three months of 2009, Falls Church, Va.-based General Dynamics lobbied both houses of Congress, the departments of Defense, State, Transportation, Education, Labor, Commerce, Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services and Homeland Security, the National Security Agency, Director of National Intelligence and the Office of Management and Budget.

The company also had representatives contact the Defense Intelligence Agency, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard. And they lobbied NASA, the Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, National Geospatial Intelligence Agency and the Federal Aviation Administration.

Among the issues discussed were defense authorization and appropriations bills regarding numerous weapons and military vehicle programs, robotic systems, submarines, ships, aircraft, space systems, information and technology and intelligence.

Also discussed were appropriations relating to wireless networks for various departments and several NASA programs. Maritime awareness programs and various technology and infrastructure also were addressed with Homeland Security.

Health and medical information technology appropriations were raised with the Labor, Health and Education departments. Issues relating to the general aviation industry were discussed with the Transportation Department, FAA and Congress.

Lobbyists also contacted members of Congress regarding tax credits for research and development and excise taxes, and in regards to a loan guarantee program for commercial shipbuilding.