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Presented by the Household & Commercial Products Association: Delivered daily, Influence gives you a comprehensive rundown and analysis of all lobby hires and news on K Street. | | | | | |  | | By Caitlin Oprysko | Presented by the Household & Commercial Products Association | With Daniel Lippman UNIONS MOBILIZE TO PRESSURE SENATORS ON PRO ACT: The AFL-CIO is leading a national day of action today, with more than 200 other unions, affiliates and allies urging senators to back the House-passed labor overhaul known as the PRO Act. The sweeping legislation would make it easier for workers to form unions and extend collective bargaining rights to independent contractors, and President Joe Biden has tacked the proposal onto his massive infrastructure plan unveiled last week. — Today’s digital push includes some of the country’s biggest unions — the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the American Federation of Teachers, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, UNITE HERE, the Transport Workers Union and United Autoworkers — as well as political groups like the DCCC, Democratic Socialists of America, People’s Action and the Economic Policy Institute , and within hours had already driven more than 1,000 phone calls, according to an AFL-CIO spokesperson. — The bill, which is fiercely opposed by the business community, has run aground in the upper chamber because it falls short of the 60 votes needed to survive a filibuster. Kristen Swearingen, chair of the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace , a group of more than 600 industry groups that adamantly opposes the legislation, derided the bill in a statement as “an attempt to increase union membership at any cost” by making what she asserted are “radical changes to well-established law” that would “diminish employees’ rights to privacy and association, destroy businesses, and threaten entire industries that have fueled innovation, entrepreneurship and job creation.” — The U.S. Chamber of Commerce , which is a part of the coalition, is working with its state and local chambers to wage its own social media campaign against the bill, “explaining to lawmakers and American workers how the repercussions of this bill would harm American businesses and workers,” a spokesperson said. TRUMP’S HILL LIAISON RETURNS TO INVARIANT: Amy Swonger, who served as acting director of legislative affairs to President Donald Trump, is rejoining her old lobbying shop, Invariant (which was still going by Heather Podesta + Partners at the time), as a principal. Swonger first joined the White House as its top liaison to the Senate, where she once worked as a floor assistant to now-Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, before being tapped to lead the legislative affairs shop on an interim basis last summer. — Swonger will re-register to lobby for clients on issues ranging from tax and financial services to energy and technology policy, according to a spokesperson. In a statement, founder and Chief Executive Heather Podesta welcomed Swonger back to the firm, adding that “her insider perspective and expertise will add immediate value to our clients.” Good afternoon and welcome to PI. Send K Street gossip, tips and musings: coprysko@politico.com. And follow me on Twitter: @caitlinoprysko. | | | | A message from the Household & Commercial Products Association: HCPA, the organization that represents the makers of name brand staples, such as cleaning products, salutes the people who go to work every day to keep our homes and workplaces clean and safe. Read more here. | | | MANUFACTURERS TOUT STUDY ON TAX HIKE: The National Association of Manufacturers is out with a study today that it says shows that tax increases as proposed by the Biden administration to pay for infrastructure investments could cost the country a million jobs in two years. The study, conducted by economists at Rice University on behalf of the trade association, examined Biden’s proposal to raise corporate taxes to 28 percent from 21 percent and increase the top marginal tax rate. The study also considered a full repeal of the 20 percent pass-through deduction, though Biden’s plan would remove the tax break only for those making over $400,000 a year. The result, according to the trade group, is that the tax hikes would depress GDP, investments and wages, though other studies have been less worrisome. BGR NAMES NEW CHAIRMAN: BGR’s Bob Wood, currently the firm’s president and CEO, is adding chairman to his title, as well, as the lobbying shop prepares to celebrate its 30th anniversary. BGR’s former chair, Lanny Griffith, will become a founding partner, joining former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour and Ed Rogers. SHELL FIRES A WARNING SHOT AT TRADE GROUPS OVER CLIMATE: “European oil major Royal Dutch Shell on Wednesday urged U.S. oil and gas trade groups to take stronger positions in the fight against climate change under the threat of leaving them,” according to Houston Chronicle’s Jordan Rubio. The company “took aim at the American Petroleum Institute, the Texas Oil & Gas Association and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, pushing them to support and advocate for climate policies in line with the Paris climate agreement.” — Shell is the latest European oil major to put pressure on API, which last month reversed course and backed calls to put a price on carbon emissions. France’s Total left the oil lobby earlier this year, citing disagreements over climate change. The Chamber also recently endorsed a “market-based approach” to reducing greenhouse gases, as Biden pledges to make climate change a central part of his presidency. — “We must be confident that our participation in industry associations is consistent with our views on climate action,” said Ben van Beurden, Shell’s CEO. “Our memberships should strengthen and not undermine our support of the goal of the Paris Agreement and the global drive to achieve net-zero emissions.” JETBLUE DONATED TO ELECTION OBJECTOR: JetBlue “is the first company to end a pause in PAC contributions following the Jan. 6 Capitol riot and disclose giving to one of the Republican lawmakers objecting to the Electoral College vote count,” Bloomberg’s Kenneth Doyle and Megan Wilson report. — In an FEC filing earlier this week the airline’s PAC reported a $1,000 donation to Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) on March 25, in addition to donations to other Democrats and one other Republican. Malliotakis, who sits on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, was among the 147 Republicans who voted against certifying Biden’s victory in the wake of the insurrection. — While some of the dozens of major corporations who paused political giving after the insurrection have slowly resumed contributions, including to party committees that support GOP lawmakers who objected to the election results, JetBlue’s donation to Malliotakis appears to be the first direct contribution to a lawmaker who did so. The airline’s vice president of partnerships for government, Jeff Goodell, told CNN earlier this year its PAC would “temporarily pause all contributions as we review the political landscape.” — In a statement to PI, JetBlue spokesperson Tamara Young stressed that the airline’s PAC is funded by voluntary employee contributions and that they had decided to “focus donations to candidates who have specific relevance to JetBlue’s network and business, as well as the aviation industry overall. By having relationships with these candidates, we can also maintain a voice in the room for all issues that are important to our crewmembers.” — She added that JetBlue will “continue to have an open dialogue with PAC contributors to understand how and where their contributions should be directed.” LaPIERRE KEPT BANKRUPTCY PLAN FROM SENIOR NRA OFFICIALS: “Wayne LaPierre, the embattled chief executive of the National Rifle Association, said on Wednesday that he had kept his organization’s recent bankruptcy filing secret from almost all its senior officials, including its general counsel, chief financial officer and top lobbyist. He also did not inform most of the N.R.A.’s board,” report The New York Times’ Danny Hakim and Mary Williams Walsh. — In virtual testimony during a trial in federal bankruptcy court in Dallas, LaPierre acknowledged that the bankruptcy filing, a ploy to allow the New York-based gun rights lobby to reincorporate in politically friendlier Texas, was kept secret to avoid leaks he feared could jeopardize the plan. — “But the attorney general’s office and the N.R.A.’s largest creditor, its former advertising firm Ackerman McQueen , want the case dismissed — claiming that the filing, and particularly the lack of notice to the board, was highly improper. ‘The process Mr. LaPierre followed to file this bankruptcy case is itself a master class in bad faith and dishonest conduct,’ said Monica Connell, an assistant attorney general.” | | | |   | | | | | | — Debra Ness is stepping down after 17 years as president of the National Partnership for Women & Families. The group’s board will conduct a search for its next president over the next few months. — Arjun Garg has joined Hogan Lovells as a partner. He previously was chief counsel and acting deputy FAA administrator and resigned in protest following the Jan. 6 insurrection. — Andrew Barnhill has joined IQVIA as chief policy officer. He was previously head of public policy and government affairs at BioDelivery Sciences International. — The National Music Publishers’ Association has hired Chris Bates as senior vice president of legal and business affairs and Ashley Jones as manager for external affairs. Bates previously worked at DOJ in both the civil and antitrust divisions as senior counsel to the assistant attorney general, and is an Orrin Hatch alum. Jones was most recently a sales development rep at Hyperscience. — Michael Schon has joined Lehotsky Keller ’s D.C. office as a partner. He was previously chief counsel for energy and environmental litigation for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. — Morgan Ortagus has started as one of the founding investment professionals at Rubicon Founders, a health care investment firm launched by Adam Boehler. She most recently was the State Department spokesperson. | | | | CHECK OUT FDA TODAY: Daily regulatory developments, sent directly to your inbox. AgencyIQ's daily newsletter, FDA Today, provides readers with actionable and insightful explanations of the latest FDA developments impacting the life sciences industry. Sign up for free today. | | | | | | | | DIANA VICTORY FUND (Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-Tenn.), Tennessee Tough PAC, NRCC) FreedomWorks Victory 2021 (Freedomworks PAC, Reps. Dan Bishop (R-N.C.), Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), Burgess Owens (R-Utah), María Salazar (R-Fla.), Mary Miller (R-Ill.), Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.) and Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Citizens for Josh Mandel, Inc., Yvette4Congress) One Virginia PAC (Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), Forward Together PAC) | | | American Muckrakers (Super PAC)
Bring Ohio Back (Super PAC)
Dependable Conservative Leadership PAC (Leadership PAC: Max Miller)
Divoc Embargo (PAC)
Forgotten Men & Women PAC (PAC)
NC Patient Freedom and Patriotism (PAC)
Patriot Leadership Trust (Super PAC)
Pressure PAC (Hybrid PAC)
Redeem Democracy Inc (Super PAC)
Rockwall United (Hybrid PAC)
Take Back NJ-05 Republican Nominee Fund 2022 (PAC)
Take Back NJ-07 Republican Nominee Fund 2022 (PAC)
Take Back NJ-11 Republican Nominee Fund 2022 (PAC)
Take Back NV-03 Republican Nominee Fund 2022 (PAC)
Take Back NV-04 Republican Nominee Fund 2022 (PAC)
Take Back NY-03 Republican Nominee Fund 2022 (PAC)
Take Back NY-19 Republican Nominee Fund 2022 (PAC)
Take Back OH-13 Republican Nominee Fund 2022 (PAC)
Take Back OR-04 Republican Nominee Fund 2022 (PAC)
Take Back OR-05 Republican Nominee Fund 2022 (PAC)
Take Back PA-07 Republican Nominee Fund 2022 (PAC)
Take Back PA-08 Republican Nominee Fund 2022 (PAC)
Take Back PA-17 Republican Nominee Fund 2022 (PAC)
Take Back TX-07 Republican Nominee Fund 2022 (PAC)
Take Back TX-15 Republican Nominee Fund 2022 (PAC)
Take Back TX-28 Republican Nominee Fund 2022 (PAC)
Take Back TX-32 Republican Nominee Fund 2022 (PAC)
Take Back TX-34 Republican Nominee Fund 2022 (PAC)
Take Back VA-02 Republican Nominee Fund 2022 (PAC)
Take Back VA-07 Republican Nominee Fund 2022 (PAC)
Take Back WA-08 Republican Nominee Fund 2022 (PAC)
Take Back WI-03 Republican Nominee Fund 2022 (PAC)
Working Women Win (Super PAC) | | New Lobbying Registrations | | Capitol Counsel, LLC: American College Of Gastroenterology
Delta Development Group, Inc.: Lafayette College
Fortinet, Inc.: Fortinet, Inc.
Jon Thomas Consulting: Arizona Tech Council
Jon Thomas Consulting: Gps Education Partners Inc.
Jon Thomas Consulting: Holistic Life Foundation
Jon Thomas Consulting: Lets Go Boys And Girls
Jon Thomas Consulting: Tech Corps Ohio
Jon Thomas Consulting: The Tears Foundation
Jon Thomas Consulting: West Broadway Business And Area Coalition
Lne Group: Excercisabilities
Lne Group: Iam Able
Lne Group: Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital
Mehlman Castagnetti Rosen & Thomas, Inc.: Hyllion
Mercury Public Affairs, LLC: Suez North America
Ml Strategies, LLC: Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Muroff Law Firm, LLC: Citizen Diplomacy International Philadelphia
Muroff Law Firm, LLC: Historic Lansdowne Theater Company
Muroff Law Firm, LLC: Mann Center For The Performing Arts On Behalf Of Cavarocchi Ruscio Dennis Assoc
Skog Rasmussen LLC: Lipoa Investments LLC C/O Pacific Rim Land
Strategic Marketing Innovations: Cambridge Semantics, Inc.
Strategic Marketing Innovations: Composite Energy Technologies, D/B/A Goetz Composites
Strategic Marketing Innovations: Gelsight, Inc.
Strategic Marketing Innovations: Mcnally Industries
Strategic Marketing Innovations: Nuburu Inc.
Team Hallahan LLC: Boom Technology
Team Hallahan LLC: Fivepoint Operating Company, L.P.
The Vogel Group: Progress For Bakersfield Veterans, LLC
The Vogel Group: Psc Biotech
The Vogel Group: The Alliance For Commercial Technology In Government
Viridi Parente, Inc.: Viridi Parente, Inc. | | | | JOIN AN IMPORTANT CONVERSATION, SUBSCRIBE TO "THE RECAST" NEWSLETTER: Power dynamics are shifting in Washington and across the country, and more people are demanding a seat at the table, insisting that all politics is personal and not all policy is equitable. "The Recast" is our twice-weekly newsletter that breaks down how race and identity are recasting politics, policy and power in America. Get fresh insights, scoops and dispatches on this crucial intersection from across the country and hear from important new voices that challenge business as usual. Don't miss out, SUBSCRIBE . Thank you to our sponsor, Intel. | | | | | | | New Lobbying Terminations | | Allegiance Strategies, LLC: Neo Philanthropy, Inc.
Blank Rome LLP: Aet Inc., Limited
Catapult Policy Strategies LLC: Boundary Stone Partners Obo Ev Connect, Inc.
Catapult Policy Strategies LLC: Boundary Stone Partners (Obo Proterra, Inc.)
Catapult Policy Strategies LLC: May Mobility
Health Policy Source, Inc.: Iowa Clinic
Mcdermott+Consulting LLC: Primary Care Collaborative
Mcdermott+Consulting LLC: Prominence Health Plan
Michael A. Ingrao: Association Of Flight Attendants-Cwa
Redrock Government Relations: Techshot, Inc.
Stonington Global: Barry (Dovi) Wachsler | | | | A message from the Household & Commercial Products Association: Thank you to the unsung heroes who every day go to work and use the cleansers and disinfectants our members manufacture to keep surfaces safe from COVID-19 and other viruses. Anyone who takes the time to carefully clean our homes and workplaces provides a public service. We are safer because of what you do. Thank you! | | | | | | | Follow us | | | | |  |
