Huawei Technologies Co ramped up spending on Washington lobbyists last quarter as a US ban on the company’s equipment means it would be left out of projects associated with the billions Congress plans to spend on infrastructure. Huawei spent US$1.06 million in the second quarter of 2021, up from US$180,000 in the first quarter this year, according to disclosures filed Tuesday. The company listed broadband and infrastructure bills as specific interests, as well as trade and a digital privacy measure. Huawei didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. Huawei’s higher 5G tower prices win over China Mobile President Joe Biden extended a 2019 executive order from his predecessor prohibiting US companies from using telecommunications equipment made by firms deemed to pose a national security risk, including Huawei. That means the Chinese equipment maker would be left out of the US$65 billion that Congress plans to spend on expanding broadband access as part of a US$579 billion bipartisan infrastructure plan . Congress also last year appropriated US$1.8 billion to help remove and replace any Huawei gear currently in use. The Federal Communication Commission approved the programme earlier this month.