Grayscale, Boston Ballet lobby up

From: POLITICO Influence - Friday Mar 10,2023 10:39 pm
Presented by the Coalition for Medicare Choices: Delivered daily, Influence gives you a comprehensive rundown and analysis of all lobby hires and news on K Street.
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By Caitlin Oprysko

Presented by the Coalition for Medicare Choices

With help from Daniel Lippman 

NEW BUSINESS: The crypto investment firm Grayscale hired its first lobbyists in Washington as the firm prepared to kick off its lawsuit seeking to overturn the SEC’s rejection of their proposal to convert its Bitcoin trust into an ETF.

— The firm hired Subject Matter’s Keith Castaldo, a former finance counsel to Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Becca Shaw, a former Trey Hollingsworth aide, in January to educate policymakers on “the merits of digital asset-based ETFs,” a spokesperson said. Oral arguments began in the Grayscale case earlier this week.

— The Boston Ballet has retained its first lobbyists as well. Boston-based O'Neill and Associates will lobby for the dance company on funding for the National Endowment for the Arts and congressional earmarks, according to a disclosure filing.

Career Education Colleges and Universities, the trade group representing for-profit colleges, has hired BGR Government Affairs to lobby on education policy and workforce training as lawmakers work to strike a deal on expanding Pell grants to cover short-term training programs.

POLITICO’s Michael Stratford reported this week that a potential agreement is “close,” but that “inclusion of for-profit colleges and online programs in any expansion of the Pell grant program has been a major sticking point” in negotiations. BGR is now the lone outside firm on retainer for the association after it cut ties with Holland & Knight and Fulcrum Public Affairs last year.

TIKTOK TAPS SKDK:TikTok, the wildly popular Chinese-owned social media app, has hired top Biden-connected consulting firm SKDK as it faces increasing scrutiny in Washington,” two people, including one with direct knowledge of the hire, tell Daniel. The firm, which has placed a number of former staffers in the Biden administration — most notably Biden senior adviser Anita Dunn — will be providing communications support to the company.

— The hire came in the past few months, coinciding with a new, concerted lobbying offensive aimed at winning allies in the capital amid drawn-out national security talks with the Biden administration and a new House Republican majority eager to crack down on all things China.

— The charm offensive does not appear to be gaining ground among those concerned about parent company ByteDance’s ties to China and the app’s data practices. Already this year bipartisan groups of lawmakers have introduced a flurry of bills that would do everything from ban the app nationwide to empower the White House to act unilaterally to crack down on foreign-owned tech.

— That’s despite ByteDance and TikTok pouring more than $10 million into federal lobbying over the past two years, up from $2.6 million in 2020. The company put together a roster of lobbyists that includes former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott and former Sen. John Breaux of Crossroads Strategies, former Reps. Jeff Denham and Bart Gordon at K&L Gates (though Denham, an ally of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, has since moved to Dentons) and scores of former Hill staffers.

— SKDK has long stressed that it doesn’t lobby the federal government or represent companies on issues before the government. But TikTok’s new public affairs firm has plenty of inroads not just to the White House but to Democratic lawmakers across the country whose campaigns it works with. At the end of last year, SKDK also hired a longtime aide of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who will oversee whether TikTok-focused bills make it to the floor of the chamber.

TGIF and welcome to PI. Send lobbying tips: coprysko@politico.com. And be sure to follow me on Twitter: @caitlinoprysko.

 

A message from the Coalition for Medicare Choices:

Despite strong bipartisan support for Medicare Advantage, the Administration is considering harmful cuts to the program that would result in higher premiums and fewer benefits. 85% of voters with Medicare Advantage believe that President Biden would be breaking his promise to protect Medicare if cuts are made to Medicare Advantage. More than 30 million seniors and people with disabilities depend on Medicare Advantage for high quality, affordable health care. Don’t cut their care.

 

STABENOW UNLOADS ON WALGREENS: Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) is holding her fire — for now — on Walgreens over the company’s recent decision not to dispense abortion pills in certain states, days after torching the pharmacy giant in a room full of donors and lobbyists, POLITICO’s Megan R. Wilson and Alice Miranda Ollstein report.

— The senator’s change in position followed a call with the pharmacy’s CEO Rosalind Brewer that Stabenow said assuaged her concerns for the time being. Since POLITICO first reported on Walgreens’ decision, a response to pressure from anti-abortion activists and Republican attorneys general, the company “has worked to mollify concerns from state and federal Democrats without also running afoul of Republican lawmakers who have threatened to sue.”

— “Over the weekend, the issue blew up at a tony retreat for Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee donors at a Palm Beach, Fla., resort. At a breakfast on Saturday, Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.), who leads the Senate Democrats’ campaign arm, was addressing a room of donors … when a voice boomed from the back of the room. It was Stabenow.”

— “Two lobbyists who were in the room said that Stabenow popped up ‘out of the blue’ and began to raise hell about Walgreens' decision. Stabenow, who is not running for reelection, said that she wanted to spend the next two years making sure that these kinds of decisions don’t go unnoticed by policymakers, one of the lobbyists recalled.”

— “Stabenow told the crowd of donors, which included lobbyists and individuals who run corporate or industry PACs, that if any of them represent Walgreens or companies that ‘bow down to the bullies, these Republicans, you better think again,’ one of the lobbyists recalled the senator saying. ‘“You haven’t seen anything yet,” was her exact line,’ the person said. The second lobbyist in the room had a similar characterization. Stabenow’s office confirmed the remarks.”

FARA FRIDAY: Ahead of the upstart league’s sophomore season, Michael Schaffer took stock of LIV Golf’s efforts to crash onto the global golf scene — and the cascade of political, public relations and legal skirmishes that have ensued — for this week’s column in POLITICO Magazine, where he writes that if the Saudi-funded golf league is an effort to “sportswash” the kingdom’s battered image, it’s not exactly working.

— “The latest set of unhappy headlines landed late last month, when a federal judge ruled that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund would have to answer questions and produce evidence as part of the discovery process in a legal battle between LIV and the rival PGA golf tour.”

— “The ruling could wind up pulling back the curtain on how decision-making works at the secretive state fund, whose governor holds ministerial rank in the MBS-dominated government. LIV is appealing.”

— “But whatever the legal merits, the news reports about the decision — a controversial foreign government claiming immunity against the Americans its company had tried to sue — fit what’s become a familiar pattern: With an assist from armies of Washington lobbyists, communications pros, lawyers and strategists, a golf story that began with splashy hires of top sports talent has evolved into a minefield of hot-button, distinctly non-athletic Beltway issues, from antitrust, foreign influence-peddling and human rights to 9/11, national sovereignty and Donald Trump.”

— “And, in most of these matters, the storylines have played out in ways that give problematic aspects of Saudi Arabia’s public image more attention, not less. It’s not exactly the result you’re going for if you’re spending billions of dollars to rebrand your kingdom.”

A FAMILIAR FACE AT PHRMA: “After almost three years working for Big Oil, Robby Zirkelbach is heading back to Big Pharma,” Megan reports. Zirkelbach is returning to PhRMA to lead its public affairs operation, a post that’s been vacant since the August departure of the pharmaceuticals group’s top Democrat.

— “His title is executive vice president of public affairs and strategic initiatives, the same role Zirkelbach held for more than six years until he left in mid-2020 to lead ExxonMobil’s global issues and advocacy shop. He’ll be responsible for managing PhRMA’s media, advertisements, and executive communications.”

— “The group is also adding another component to the gig: heading up a new ‘strategic initiatives’ effort, the group said in a release about his hire. It will ‘focus on developing proactive advocacy strategies around emerging issues facing the industry.’”

— “Zirkelbach has his work cut out for him as PhRMA works to beef up its public image in the wake of the drug industry’s massive Inflation Reduction Act loss. … ‘This is a pivotal moment for the industry and patients,’ Zirkelbach said in a statement. ‘The future of medicine has never been more promising, but that progress risks being undermined by harmful drug pricing policies that don’t address the root cause of the problem.’”

IF YOU MISSED IT THURSDAY: “Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) pressed Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw Thursday on the railroad’s history of lobbying against stricter safety regulations at a Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing” on last month’s derailment, per The Hill’s Zack Budryk.

— “Whitehouse specifically cited a 2015 Obama-era regulation that required more modern electronic brakes for trains carrying hazardous materials, which Norfolk Southern called ‘not in the public interest’ and lobbied to weaken before the Trump administration scrapped it outright in 2018.”

— “The Rhode Island Democrat went on to note the industry has spent more than $650 million on lobbying against regulations over the last two decades, including $69 million spent by Norfolk Southern. Shaw countered by pointing out that the National Transportation Safety Board has said the Obama-era braking regulation would not have prevented the East Palestine derailment.”

— “Merkley, meanwhile, asked if Norfolk Southern could be counted on to lobby for improved rather than reduced safety regulations going forward. ‘I share your concern and your focus,’ Shaw began.”

— “‘I just want to know, will your team lobby for safety improvements rather than against them?’ Merkley broke in. ‘I just really thought, when you said “turn over a new leaf,” you meant you were saying you were going to now support safety regulations. I’m sorry you can’t tell this crowd today that would like to hear that, that that is the case.’”

 

A message from the Coalition for Medicare Choices:

Coaltion for Medicare Choices

 
Jobs Report

SPOTTED at a kickoff event for the Jenkins Hill Society hosted at Akin Gump’s Hill offices, per a tipster: Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Reps. Yadira Caraveo (D-Colo.), Nikki Budzinski (D-Ill.), Sharice Davids (D-Kan.), Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.), Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.), Emilia Sykes (D-Ohio), Lois Frankel (D-Fla.), Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) and Becca Balint (D-Vt.); Ogilvy’s Alissa Clees and Karissa Willhite, Invariant’s Anne MacMillan, LinkedIn’s Catlin O’Neill, Avenue Solutions’ Elizabeth Barnett and Jordan LaCrosse, Cook Medical’s Elizabeth Sharp, EY’s Heather Meade, Jen Frost, CVS Health’s Joy McGlaun, Biotechnology Innovation Organization’s Kristin Murphy, Capitol Hill Consulting Group’s Kristina Wilcox, Novartis’ Nora Connors, JHS’ Muftiah McCartin and Sally Adams, Capitol Tax Partners’ Melissa Mueller, Kraft Heinz’s Kellie Adesina, Lot Sixteen’s Jennifer Storipan, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute’s Liz Westbrook, National Partnership for Women & FamiliesLelaine Bigelow and the Entertainment Software Association’s Annie Chavez.

Mike Burns has joined research and data analytics consultancy Mathematica as senior director of communications and public affairs. He most recently was deputy assistant secretary for public affairs at HUD.

McGuireWoods Consulting is adding two to its Raleigh, N.C. office: Dave Richard and Amanda Falkenbury. Richard previously led the Medicaid and NC Health Choice programs for the state. Falkenbury comes from a state-focused lobbying firm she founded, 12th State Strategies.

Tucker Hart is joining FanDuel as senior communications manager for FanDuel TV and FanDuel+. He was most recently senior communications manager for CBS News.

Brad Klapper has been promoted to managing partner of the Washington office of Qorvis.

Scott Levy has been promoted to chief government affairs officer at Amedisys. He most recently was senior vice president of government affairs at the company.

Tony Anderson, CEO of Cherryland Electric Cooperative in Michigan, is now president of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, succeeding Chris Christensen after a two-year term, per Morning Energy. Joe Martin of the Mountain View Electric Association in Colorado is now vice president and Mike Partin of the Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative in Tennessee is secretary-treasurer.

Rose Luttenberger is now director of advocacy at the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, Morning Energy reports. She was most recently senior policy advocate at the World Wildlife Fund.

 

STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president’s ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today.

 
 
New Joint Fundraisers

Clark Trahan Pressley Victory Fund (Reps. Katherine Clark, Lori Trahan, Ayanna Pressley)
DUSTY JOHNSON VICTORY COMMITTEE (Rep. Dusty Johnson, Dakota Leadership PAC, DUSTY PAC)

New PACs

170 Freedom Milwaukee 2024 Host Committee Inc (PAC)
First Freedoms Foundation PAC (Super PAC)
Rhode to Victory PAC (PAC)

 

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New Lobbying Registrations

Active Policy Solutions, LLC: Doc Wayne Youth Services, Inc.
Active Policy Solutions, LLC: Mid-American Conference
Forbes-Tate: Merck Animal Health
Greenberg Traurig, LLP: Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center
Hettinger Strategy Group LLC: Workiva, Inc
Hntb Corporation: Hntb Corporation
Ikon Public Affairs: Magnum Green Steel USa
Jbs Communications, LLC: Blumberg Grain Co
Monument Advocacy: Greater Seattle Chamber Of Commerce
Sirona Strategies LLC: National Committee For Quality Assurance
Subject Matter: Grayscale Investments, LLC
Troutman Pepper Strategies, LLC (Fka Troutman Sanders Public Affairs Group, LLC): University Of West Georgia
Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale And Dorr LLP: Aligos Therapeutics, Inc.

New Lobbying Terminations

Global Alliance For Cannabis Commerce: Global Alliance For Cannabis Commerce
K&L Gates, LLP: Brightline Holdings LLC F/K/A Virgin Trains USa LLC
K&L Gates, LLP: Capital Southeast Connector Joint Powers Authority
Lodestar Strategic: Outdoors For All Foundation
Walkinshaw Strategies LLC: Sciencelogic

 

A message from the Coalition for Medicare Choices:

Medicare Advantage is facing billions in cuts that would hurt the more than 30 million Americans who depend on Medicare Advantage for high-quality, affordable health care.

The consequences of cutting funding to Medicare Advantage are dire. A majority of senior voters with Medicare Advantage believe that cuts would impact their ability to afford health care.

Funding Medicare Advantage is an extremely important issue for senior voters. Voters with Medicare Advantage overwhelmingly believe that it is important for the federal government and the Administration to fully fund Medicare Advantage to cover increasing health care costs.

Medicare Advantage provides affordable health care to more than 30 million seniors and people with disabilities. 32% of Medicare Advantage enrollees are racial and ethnic minorities – compared to 21% of original Medicare enrollees.

Don’t cut their care.

 
 

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