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Presented by Freight Rail Works: Delivered daily, Influence gives you a comprehensive rundown and analysis of all lobby hires and news on K Street. | | | | |  | | By Hailey Fuchs | | | With Daniel Lippman VICTIMS OF THE 1998 NAIROBI EMBASSY BOMBING BEGIN LOBBYING SPREE: Earlier this week, a team registered to lobby Congress and the executive branch for compensation for designated victims of the attack, according to filings with the Department of Justice. — The team registered with the DOJ includes Philip M. Musolino, a lawyer who has been representing the victims for decades; Joseph Szlavik, partner at Scribe Strategies & Advisors; and Melvin P. Foote, president of the non-profit organization Constituency for Africa. — The attacks on Aug. 7, 1998, in front of the embassies in Nairobi, Kenya and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania — linked to al Qaeda — left 224 people dead and more than 4,500 wounded, according to the F.B.I. — The Justice for United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Act established a fund that entitled victims of state-sponsored terrorism to compensation. However, victims of the Nairobi attack are not eligible, Musolino said. — In an interview, Musolino told Influence that they planned to lobby to pass legislation that would entitle victims of the bombing to money in the fund currently designated for victims of state-sponsored terrorism. In a lawsuit against al Qaeda, hundreds of Musolino’s clients were awarded millions but have received nothing, he said. — Among the others working to pass the legislation, Szlavik’s firm also represents Banco Multiple Activo Dominicana (a commercial bank in the Dominican Republic), Gécamines SA (a Democratic Republic of Congo state-owned corporation) and the Republic of Uganda. Musolino said that, as the agreement currently stands, 25 percent of the payout would be distributed to those who helped out with the Kenyans’ cause. — “They’re in this position because they were our friends and allies. No other reason. They were our friends and allies, and they suffered with us,” Musolino said of the bombing victims and their families. “This legislation not only equalizes the position of our African friends and allies, but I think it will strengthen the perception in Africa of the United States as a long-term reliable partner, ally and friend.” Happy (FARA!) Friday and welcome to PI. My name is Hailey Fuchs, and I’m filling in for Caitlin this week. Send your tips to hfuchs@politico.com. Your great host Caitlin will be back next week, but you can always find me on Twitter. Throw me a follow there: @Hailey_Fuchs.
| | A message from Freight Rail Works: In times of recovery, America needs a transportation network that can keep goods moving, help businesses prosper and remain responsive to changing customer needs. Not only does freight rail invest $25 billion annually to provide U.S. businesses with safe, reliable service. Today’s rail shipping rates are 44% lower than in 1981, which keeps U.S. businesses competitive. See how railroads are helping America get back on track. | | | — CHAMBER PRESIDENT IN HOT WATER: An Instagram photo posted by U.S. Chamber of Commerce President Suzanne Clark, reposted on Twitter by The Intercept’s Ryan Grim , showed Clark standing beside two people in what appeared to be Native American headdresses. Influence has chosen not to link to the photo, given that the Chamber informed us that two of those depicted in the image are minors. — A source told POLITICO’s Daniel Lippman that the photo has since been taken down from Clark’s Instagram account. In a statement, Clark apologized for the photo. — “During my vacation, a DJ came to the dance floor and put various types of headwear, including headdresses, on some of the other people in my group,” the statement read. “While they were only worn for the seconds it takes to snap and post a photo, it was wrong to don the headdresses, which hold deep meaning for Native Americans. All of this was a mistake, and I am deeply sorry.” — She also emailed the staff of the Chamber this afternoon with the subject line “An Important Message” where she noted PI was doing an item on the matter and included the statement the Chamber sent. She also wrote in the email obtained by Lippman: “As the leader of this organization, it is my highest responsibility to be intentional in how I represent our members, our work, and this team. This is a reminder to me that even momentary lapses in judgment can be harmful.” AGRIBUSINESS IS STILL IN RUSSIA: President Joe Biden has yet to pressure any individual company to leave Russia. That includes Cargill, America’s largest privately held company, and other large agribusinesses, my colleague Meredith Lee reports. — “A growing global food crisis is forcing the Biden administration to balance its crushing economic campaign against Russia with a gentler approach to major U.S. food and agribusiness companies still operating there — and contributing tax dollars to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s regime.” — ”While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly called for all foreign companies to pull out of Russia as punishment for Putin’s bloody invasion of Ukraine, calling out some individual conglomerates by name, President Joe Biden has been extremely careful not to pressure any specific company to leave Russia or allow U.S. sanctions against Russia to affect food flowing in or out of the country. In a prominent example, neither the administration nor Democratic lawmakers have critiqued agriculture shipping giant Cargill Inc., the country’s largest privately held company, which is still operating what it says are ‘essential food and feed facilities’ in Russia. The White House even hosted Cargill CEO David MacLennan earlier this week as part of a meeting with corporate leaders to discuss the conflict with Ukraine and its effect on already-strained global supply chains.” — “During the meeting, top Biden economic officials thanked the companies that had pulled out of Russia for doing so, but officials didn’t make any mention of scaling down Russian operations, according to three people with knowledge of the discussions. Instead, they focused on how food companies could stave off further disruptions to the global supply.” — “Cargill is the world’s largest agribusiness and one of the ‘Big Four’ meat processors that control about 85 percent of the beef market in the U.S., and is a target of the Biden administration’s campaign to lessen the power of the country’s dominant food conglomerates. But Cargill is also one of the world’s largest shippers of grain, especially from Russia and Ukraine, which together make up 30 percent of the world’s wheat supply and 20 percent of its corn supply. And now, some of the same Biden administration officials who have been waging a war against ‘Big Ag’ are working with some of those same companies to combat mounting food insecurity around the world.”
| | | | SUBSCRIBE TO NATIONAL SECURITY DAILY : Keep up with the latest critical developments from Ukraine and across Europe in our daily newsletter, National Security Daily. The Russian invasion of Ukraine could disrupt the established world order and result in a refugee crisis, increased cyberattacks, rising energy costs and additional disruption to global supply chains. Go inside the top national security and foreign-policymaking shops for insight on the global threats faced by the U.S. and its allies and what actions world leaders are taking to address them. Subscribe today. | | | | | MCCARTHY SUGGESTS FORTENBERRY SHOULD RESIGN: Hours after Rep. Jeff Fortenberry was convicted of lying to the FBI over illegal campaign contributions, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy told reporters, “I think when someone’s convicted, it’s time to resign,” POLITICO’s Sarah Ferris and Olivia Beavers report. — “‘I am going to discuss with him today. I think he had his day in court. I think if he wants to appeal, he can do that as a private citizen,’ McCarthy added, noting that he had texted Fortenberry late last night after the conviction.” — “A federal jury found Fortenberry guilty on Thursday of three felonies after misleading federal investigators about his knowledge of campaign donations made with funds from a foreign national. Fortenberry has said he plans to appeal the jury’s decision.” — “After the verdict, Fortenberry and his team are taking 24 hours to evaluate their next steps in terms of his reelection bid, according to a Republican familiar with the discussions who addressed the matter candidly on condition of anonymity.”
| | | | A message from Freight Rail Works:   | | | | | | — Jeanne Arnold joins the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts as vice president of industry comms. Arnold was previously the director of media relations at the Investment Company Institute. — George O’Connor joins Nahigian Strategies as vice president. O’Connor was formerly at the Plastics Industry Association, the Department of Transportation and on Capitol Hill. — Paul Stimers has been named practice group coordinator for the Public Policy and Law Practice Group at K&L Gates. He is replacing Darrell Conner, who served in the role for a decade. — Michael Obeiter joins Boundary Stone Partners as vice president. He is an alum of the offices of the Senate Budget Committee, the office of Senator Brian Schatz, World Resources Institute and others.
| | | | DON’T MISS POLITICO’S INAUGURAL HEALTH CARE SUMMIT ON 3/31: Join POLITICO for a discussion with health care providers, policymakers, federal regulators, patient representatives, and industry leaders to better understand the latest policy and industry solutions in place as we enter year three of the pandemic. Panelists will discuss the latest proposals to overcome long-standing health care challenges in the U.S., such as expanding access to care, affordability, and prescription drug prices. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | | None.
| | | Home Builders Association Political Action Committee, Inc. (PAC)
| | New Lobbying Registrations | | BGR Government Affairs: Smart Glove Corporation Sdn. Bhd.
| | New Lobbying Terminations | | Clark Hill, Plc: Shimadzu Scientific Instruments Inc.
| | A message from Freight Rail Works: Alleviating an extraordinary supply chain crisis requires an extraordinary transportation network—like America’s freight railroads. The dedicated employees of America’s freight railroads are working 24/7 to find powerful solutions to maximize efficiency and reliability. Learn more about how railroads are creating an unbreakable link between manufacturers, retailers and other critical rail customers. | | | | | | | Follow us | | | | |  |
