Despite the recession, K Street had a banner year, posting growth of 5 percent to $3.47 billion in 2009, which was an all-time high, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

The growth was driven by the ambitious Democratic agenda pursued by Congress and the White House on energy, financial services, health care reform. It also reflected the $819 billion stimulus package passed by Congress last year.

"Lobbying appears recession proof," said Sheila Krumholz, the Center's executive director in a statement. "Even when companies are scaling back other operations, many view lobbying as a critical tool in protecting their future interests, particularly when Congress is preparing to take action on issues that could seriously affect their bottom lines."

The top industry spender on lobbying was called "miscellaneous" business, followed by health care and financial services.

The center said there were 13,741 registered lobbyists in 2009, down from 14,446 in 2008.

In 2008, lobbying-fee income was $3.3 billion.