The number of registered lobbyists making campaign contributions to members of Congress has declined by 22 percent in 2009, compared with the same period in 2007 (the most recent non-election year), according to the Center for Responsive Politics (CRP).

Meanwhile, the number of individual contributors across all industries who gave to lawmakers during that same period of time increased by 1 percent, compared with 2007.

CRP analyzed data submitted by federal campaigns, which must disclose the employers of contributors who give at least $200 to a candidate. From this list, the group matched names with official lists of registered lobbyists for 2007-2009.

Some prominent members of Congress saw significant reductions in support from lobbyists over the past two years. Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), for instance, received contributions from 239 lobbyists in 2007, 104 lobbyists in 2008 and only 39 in the first six months of 2009. Sen. Mitch McConnell's (R-Ky.) campaign committee and leadership PAC received donations from 214 lobbyists in 2007; however, only 134 lobbyists supported him in 2008 and just 40 have contributed so far this year.

See the full story at http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2009/10/fewer-lobbyists-have-made-poli.html [1].