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Presented by Contraceptive Access Initiative: Delivered daily, Influence gives you a comprehensive rundown and analysis of all lobby hires and news on K Street. | | | | |  | | By Caitlin Oprysko | | | With Daniel Lippman HOW WE GOT HERE: President Joe Biden’s meeting this afternoon with Angolan President João Lourenço aims to commemorate three decades of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and the south African nation, but the Oval Office summit — the first between an Angolan leader and an American president since the George W. Bush administration — also represents a major milestone for the country’s lobbyists in Washington, who have worked for the past four and a half years to help forge closer ties with the U.S. — Angola’s government has paid Squire Patton Boggs more than $15 million since 2019 for those efforts, according to DOJ filings. Lourenço’s interest in forming new military alliances and attracting foreign investment to diversify Angola’s oil, gas and diamond-reliant economy have dovetailed with an increased U.S. focus on countering Chinese and Russian influence on the continent as well as the role Africa’s supply of critical minerals stands to play in trying to mitigate the climate crisis. — “You can begin to see all these alignments between Angolan priorities and American priorities and that has just become more and more evident,” Squire Patton Boggs’ Robert Kapla told PI. Multiple high-ranking officials from the past two administrations have traveled to Angola in recent years, including Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin as recently as September. — During Lourenço’s first trip to D.C. as president in 2021, Squire helped set up meetings with then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and members of the House and Senate foreign relations committees, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Kapla said. — At last year’s U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington, Angolan officials got high-level meetings and prominent seating arrangements, and this year, Biden announced plans to invest in the development of a key economic corridor running through Angola’s Port of Lobito on top of financing for a major solar project there. — Securing additional investment is “going to be a really high priority” for Lourenço coming out of today’s meeting, Kapla said, but the delicate geopolitics underlying that kind of a win-win scenario stand to be the elephant in the room. — “We were not hired in 2019 to get this meeting,” said Kapla. Angola has “really not had a meaningful relationship with the United States. And they want one. And the U.S. is looking for partners in that part of the world, and they have a very open and willing counterpart in President Lourenço.” — “It is a hard place to do business — anywhere in Africa,” he noted, but if an American company wanted to do it, “you'd probably want to go somewhere where the country has a very close relationship with the United States at the highest level. So this meeting is significant for that purpose as well.” Happy Thursday and welcome to PI, where it truly is the end of an era, as we bid farewell to your host's longtime, pre-PI, editor Karey Van Hall. We'll miss her lots but wish her the very best in her next gig with USA Today. In the meantime, send lobbying tips and gossip: coprysko@politico.com. And be sure to follow me on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter: @caitlinoprysko.
| | | | GET A BACKSTAGE PASS TO COP28 WITH GLOBAL PLAYBOOK: Get insider access to the conference that sets the tone of the global climate agenda with POLITICO's Global Playbook newsletter. Authored by Suzanne Lynch, Global Playbook delivers exclusive, daily insights and comprehensive coverage that will keep you informed about the most crucial climate summit of the year. Dive deep into the critical discussions and developments at COP28 from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12. SUBSCRIBE NOW. | | | | | | | | | A message from Contraceptive Access Initiative: In a major breakthrough, the birth control pill will soon be on store shelves for sale without a prescription – urgent work is needed to make sure it is affordable for all. Momentum is building for public and private insurance to cover over-the-counter contraception. In addition, many are urging a low retail price point and accommodation for the uninsured. Check out the roadmap to affordable contraception at: thepillotc.org/affordability | | | SENATE DEMS GREENLIGHT LEO SUBPOENAS: “Senate Judiciary Republicans walked out of the committee to boycott a vote authorizing subpoenas for information from conservative activists and donors about their ties to conservative Supreme Court justices,” our Katherine Tully-McManus reports. — “The panel voted 11-0 to authorize subpoenas for conservative judicial activist Leonard Leo and Texas billionaire Harlan Crow on their close personal and financial relationships with some justices, with no Republicans left in the room besides ranking member Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.). Graham exited once the vote was underway and did not vote.” — “They think we're gonna roll over and come back sometime later and try all over again and face the same limitations. You know, there reaches a point where there has to be a vote. They walked out on it. That's their decision,” Senate Judiciary Chair Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said, though he acknowledged “that Republicans will question the legitimacy of the vote and whether a quorum was present given their quick exit from the committee room,” per KTM. — “Leo, in a statement, said, ‘Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats have been destroying the Supreme Court; now they are destroying the Senate. I will not cooperate with this unlawful campaign of political retribution.’ And in a separate statement, Crow spokesperson Michael J. Zona said: ‘The Judiciary Committee Democrats’ violation of the Committee’s own rules to issue an invalid subpoena further demonstrates the unlawful and partisan nature of this investigation.’” HOPE YOUR FLIGHT’S REFUNDABLE: “No Labels — the bipartisan group plotting a third-party presidential bid — is pulling the plug on its Dallas convention next spring and will instead conduct its ‘selection process virtually,’” Axios’ Hans Nichols reports. — “The group hasn't made a final decision on whether or not to launch a third-party challenge, which Democratic critics argue could throw the election to former President Trump. Canceling its Dallas convention will give No Labels more flexibility — and more time — to make that determination.” — “‘No Labels' goal has always been to get on the ballot and select a Unity ticket that can win outright in the Electoral College,’ the group said in a statement to Axios. ‘We have no intention of doing anything but that, and every step we make is with that goal in mind.’” — “‘This is why No Labels has decided to conduct our selection process virtually with our members from across the country. No Labels has lately spoken to numerous exceptional leaders interested in being on the Unity ticket, and more continue to emerge each week.’” — “No Labels' previous plan was to use the period between Super Tuesday on March 5 and the Dallas convention that had been set for April 14-15 to listen to supporters and then make a final decision on whether to launch a third-party ticket. If a decision had been reached to move forward, the goal was to use the convention to select a unity ticket — one Republican and one Democrat — then slingshot them into the presidential contest with fanfare and free media.” META STRIKES BACK: “Meta Platforms has challenged the constitutionality of the Federal Trade Commission’s structure, the company’s latest effort to block the regulator from imposing new restrictions on how it can monetize user data,” The Wall Street Journal’s Jan Wolfe reports. — “Meta—which owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp—sued the FTC on Wednesday in federal court in Washington, alleging ‘fundamental aspects of the Commission’s structure violate the U.S. Constitution.’” — “Taking issue with the FTC’s use of its in-house courts, Meta argues that in these proceedings the regulator ‘has a dual role as prosecutor and judge’ in violation of due-process guarantees. Meta is seeking an injunction blocking the FTC from moving forward with new restrictions on the company, first proposed in May, that include a blanket prohibition against monetizing data of children and teens under 18. That provision takes aim at the company’s core business of showing ads to users based on what it learns about their interests.” — Today’s suit “came two days after a federal judge in Washington said the FTC could move forward with its new limits on Meta by modifying the 2020 settlement. Meta had asked the judge with jurisdiction over the 2020 settlement to block the FTC’s proposed modifications, but the judge said he lacked authority to do so.” — “The argument Meta makes in its latest lawsuit was foreshadowed by an April decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, Axon Enterprise v. FTC. In that case, the high court said people and businesses subjected to FTC administrative proceedings can seek to enjoin, or block, those proceedings by suing in U.S. District Court and raising constitutional arguments there.”
| | | | A message from Contraceptive Access Initiative:   | | | | | — The U.S. Chamber of Commerce promoted John Murphy to senior vice president and head of international. — Ryan Hughes has joined the global reputation risk and public affairs practice at Allison as an account director. He was previously assistant vice president at JConnelly and senior manager at Hiltzik Strategies. — Angela Kelley is now a senior adviser at NVG. She previously was chief adviser on policy and partnerships at the American Immigration Lawyers Association and is a DHS and Center for American Progress alum. — Caroline Hoffman is now senior manager for media relations focusing on health care at Weber Shandwick. She most recently was associate director of media relations at Walker Sands. — Brandon Milhorn will be the next president and CEO of the Conference of State Bank Supervisors. He was most recently deputy to FDIC Vice Chair Travis Hill and was an aide to former FDIC Chair Jelena McWilliams. He succeeds James Cooper, who is retiring. — Kristal Hartsfield will be the inaugural chief executive of the National Alliance for Equity in Energy & Infrastructure. — Jeff Morehouse is joining Rep. Richard Hudson’s (R-N.C.) office as leadership chief of staff. He previously was managing director of government affairs at ClearPath and is a Bill Flores and John Culberson alum. — Ellen Sciales is now deputy communications director for Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.). She comes from the Sunrise Movement, and is a Warren, Bollier and Ossoff campaign alum. — Jonathan Hoffman is now vice president for communications and marketing at The Citadel. He is the former head of public affairs and chief Pentagon spokesman at DoD under Secretary Mark Esper and is also a DHS and Bush White House alum. — Chris Hayes has joined Capitol Asset Strategies as managing partner. He most recently was head of government relations at the Celo Foundation and is an alum of the Institutional Limited Partners Association and the Small Business Investor Alliance.
| | Gallego Allred Victory Fund (Reps. Colin Allred, Ruben Gallego) Grow the Majority (Reps. Mike Johnson, David Schweikert, Juan Ciscomani, John Duarte, David Valadao, Mike Garcia, Young Kim, Ken Calvert, Michelle Steel, Lauren Boebert, Maria Salazar, Zach Nunn, John James, Ryan Zinke, Don Bacon, Tom Kean Jr., Nick LaLota, Anthony D’Esposito, Mike Lawler, Marc Molinaro, Brandon Williams, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Brian Fitzpatrick, Monica De La Cruz, Jen Kiggans, Derrick Van Orden , American Revival PAC, Nancy Dahlstrom for Alaska, Theriault for Congress, Rob for PA, Craig Riedel for Ohio, Tom Barrett for Congress, Reddy for Kansas, Mercuri for Congress, Yvette4Congress, Derrick Anderson for VA, Inc., Joe Teirab for Congress, Judge Joe Mcgraw for Congress, Niemeyer for Congress, George Logan for Congress, Scott Baugh for Congress, Kevin Lincoln for Congress, Mayra Flores for Congress, Congressional Leadership Fund, Grow The Majority Nominee Fund: WA-03, Grow The Majority Nominee Fund: PA-07, Grow The Majority Nominee Fund: NC-01, Grow The Majority Nominee Fund: MI-08, Grow The Majority Nominee Fund: OH-13, Grow The Majority Nominee Fund: CO-08, Grow The Majority Nominee Fund: NH-01, Grow The Majority Nominee Fund:NV-03, Grow The Majority Nominee Fund: NY-18, Grow the Majority Nominee Fund: CA-49, Republican Party of Arizona, LLC, California Republican Party Federal Acct., Colorado Republican Committee, Republican Party of Florida, Illinois Republican Party - Federal, Republican Party of Iowa, Michigan Republican Party, Republican Party Of Minnesota - Federal, Nevada Republican Central Committee, New Hampshire Republican State Committee, New Jersey Republican State Committee, Republican Campaign Committee of New Mexico, NY Republican Federal Campaign Committee, North Carolina Republican Party, Ohio Republican Party State Central & Executive Committee, Oregon Republican Party, Republican Federal Committee of Pennsylvania, Republican Party of Texas, Republican Party of Virginia Inc, Washington State Republican Party, Republican National Committee, NRCC) Team Mary Jo (Take Back NJ PAC, Mary Jo for Congress)
| | Americans Can Handle Disclosure PAC (Super PAC) Grow the Majority Nominee Fund: OH-13 (PAC) Grow the Majority Nominee Fund: PA-07 (PAC) HPAC (PAC) Independents Moving The Needle (Super PAC) Jennifer Verbel (Super PAC) OUTOKUMPU STAINLESS USA PAC ("OTK STAINLESS USA PAC") (PAC) Take Back NJ PAC (Leadership PAC: Mary Jo-Ann Guinchard)
| | New Lobbying REGISTRATIONS | | Actum I, LLC: Seiu Local 32Bj Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld: The Center For A Free Economy Bgr Government Affairs: Blackrock Fund Services Group, LLC Bgr Government Affairs: Inkit Inc. Bgr Government Affairs: Kellanova Bowers Hinman Capitol Affairs: Tolles Career And Technical Center Forbes-Tate: Conduent Business Services, LLC Forbes-Tate: Lithos Technology Health And Medicine Counsel, LLC: Pf Carrus Careers, LLC Health And Medicine Counsel, LLC: Tuft'S Food Is Medicine Institute Invariant LLC: Curio Wellness Mwr Strategies, Inc.: Williams & Lake Solaredge Technologies Inc.: Solaredge Technologies Inc. Tarplin, Downs & Young, LLC: Excellus Health Plan, Inc. Tarplin, Downs & Young, LLC: Hims & Hers Health, Inc. Watkins & Eager Pllc: City Of Louisville
| | | | Enter the “room where it happens”, where global power players shape policy and politics, with Power Play. POLITICO’s brand-new podcast will host conversations with the leaders and power players shaping the biggest ideas and driving the global conversations, moderated by award-winning journalist Anne McElvoy. Sign up today to be notified of new episodes – click here. | | | | | | | New Lobbying Terminations | | | Appian Consulting LLC: Iheartmedia, Inc. (Formerly Known As Clear Channel Communications, Inc.) Bgr Government Affairs: World Dog Alliance (Hong Kong) Limited Montecrypto: Crypterns
| | | | A message from Contraceptive Access Initiative: In a major breakthrough, the birth control pill will be on store shelves for sale without a prescription in early 2024 – urgent work is needed to make sure it is affordable for all. Momentum is building for public and private insurance to cover over-the-counter contraception, which would be a major step forward in breaking down barriers for those seeking contraception. Three agencies are currently evaluating options for over-the-counter coverage: HHS, Labor and Treasury. In addition, many are urging a low retail price point and accommodation for the uninsured. Check out the Contraceptive Access Initiative’s roadmap to affordable contraception at: thepillotc.org/affordability | | | | | | | Follow us | | | | |  |
