Real estate agent group spent $3.9M lobbying in 2Q

WASHINGTON

The National Association of Realtors spent $3.94 million in the second quarter to lobby the federal government on mortgage industry regulation, foreclosure prevention and other issues.

That amount was up from the $3.8 million the Chicago-based group spent a year earlier, but less than the $4.3 million it spent in the first quarter of 2010.

The group also lobbied on issues including bankruptcy, lead paint, health insurance, regulation of mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie and flood insurance, according to a July 20 filing with the House clerk's office.

Besides lawmakers, the trade group lobbied agencies including the White House, Federal Reserve, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and the departments of Agriculture, Housing and Urban Development, Treasury and Veterans Affairs.