HOUSE OF MOUSE HUNKERS DOWN: Disney is seeking to make inroads with Republicans on the Hill as the party, which clashed with the entertainment giant earlier this year over its stance on social issues, prepares to potentially retake control of Congress, according to CNBC’s Brian Schwartz. — “Disney CEO Bob Chapek has been having private phone calls this year with House Republican leaders including Minority Whip Steve Scalise ,” who is in line to become majority leader in a GOP-controlled House, according to people briefed on the matter. — “Some Disney executives and their advisors are concerned Republicans could ramp up their attacks on the company if the party wins control of the House, according to people familiar with the matter.” And while “most major companies have been preparing for a potential power shift in Washington for months, Chapek has engaged directly with lawmakers poised to become a lot more powerful if the GOP retakes the House.” — “Many of the calls between Chapek and House Republican officials involve the Disney CEO being ‘direct’ and defending the company’s opposition to Florida’s so-called ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill, those familiar with the conversations have said. GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the Florida bill, officially called Parental Rights in Education, into law in March.” — “Though the exact dates of the calls between Chapek and GOP leaders are unclear, a person familiar with them said some took place shortly before and after members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus signed a letter to the Disney CEO in April. The letter specifically called out the company for speaking against the DeSantis-signed legislation.” Around the same time, the company also added two former Republican members of Congress — Bob Goodlatte and Greg Walden — to its roster of lobbyists. BANKS PREPARE TO FIGHT FOR THEIR MANS: “Rep. Patrick McHenry — the 47-year-old North Carolina Republican poised to lead the House Financial Services Committee next year — has a history of promoting proposals and cutting deals that would strengthen technology startups seeking to disrupt traditional financial services,” a dynamic that has Wall Street girding for a turf war , POLITICO's Sam Sutton reports. — “McHenry’s embrace of financial startups over the years has made him a favorite of venture capitalists and crypto exchange executives, who have backed the 17-year incumbent with campaign contributions and public support. Andreessen Horowitz , one of the biggest crypto startup investors and a lobbying force, just hired one of his top aides to lead its crypto policy efforts.” — “If Republicans prevail in November, McHenry is set to be the most tech-focused chair in the history of the Financial Services Committee, a prospect rattling Wall Street groups that have typically held significant influence over Republicans’ financial regulatory agenda” — putting McHenry at the center “of an escalating tug of war between the firms and bank lobbyists.” — “Banks in recent years have sought to persuade Washington to resist the tech industry’s encroachment into financial services, whether it’s through bank-like products or digital currencies,” and lenders are looking to make sure their fintech competitors “won’t gain an edge through looser regulation” led by McHenry. ‘RIGHT TO REPAIR’ GAINS TRACTION ON HILL: Roll Call’s Benjamin Hulac reports that “there is bipartisan congressional interest behind bills to make it easier for average citizens to repair what they own , a potential boon to consumers and the environment” but a threat to manufacturers of electronics and heavy machinery who have long sought to chip away at the so-called right to repair. — “Though two states — Colorado and New York — have passed right-to-repair legislation, legislatures in 25 are considering it, according to The Repair Association, and there are bills in the House and Senate that would address various industries, including farming equipment, electronics and automobiles.” — The right-to-repair movement has found backing among farmers and ranchers to consumer rights advocates and environmentalists, and got a boost last summer from an executive order targeting alleged anticompetitive practices. But manufacturers argue “repair mandates” would “infringe on their intellectual property, harm rural regional U.S. economies and pose security problems.” — “Federal disclosures show trade groups and companies involved in making electronics, video games, appliances, heavy machinery, medical devices and automobiles, among other sectors, have this year lobbied on repair bills.” The Association of Equipment Manufacturers, for instance, “said farm equipment today is more technical to make it safer, more reliable and more efficient.” The trade group represents companies like Cummins, Sherwin-Williams, Yokohama, Caterpillar, John Deere and Chemours.
| 
