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WASHINGTON — Some 2,000 dollar bills fluttered from the fifth-floor balcony of the Hart Senate Office Building on Thursday, falling upon activists who shouted “Monsanto Money!,” while tossing piles of cash in the air and making snow angels in pools of the bills.

“The government is shut down, but you still have Monsanto lobbyists engaging with congress members,” said activist Ariel Vegosen of Occupy Monsanto, a group that regularly stages demonstrations against the controversial agriculture and biotech company. “We’re here today to say that’s not OK. Money shouldn’t dictate how Congress makes decisions.”

Capitol police arrested three of the 10 activists, who wore business clothes and wigs to pose as lobbyists from the fictional “Biotechnology Industry Awards Committee.” Adam Eidinger, one of those arrested, said that the tossed money would be collected by the others and used to pay bail if necessary.

Before throwing the bills, the activists walked around to various House and Senate offices to give “Monsanto Minion Awards” to members they accused of being too friendly with that company. They dropped off awards at the offices of Reps. Steve King (R-Iowa), Fred Upton (R-Mich.) and Hal Rogers (R-Ky.) and Sens. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) and Roy Blunt (R-Mo.).