| | | | | |  | | By Caitlin Oprysko | | | With Daniel Lippman CR LEAVES FITNESS INDUSTRY, RESTAURANTS HANGING: Advocates hoping for Congress to include needed pandemic aid for the fitness and restaurant industry in a funding bill to avert a government shutdown are now searching for another legislative vehicle, after lawmakers passed a mostly clean continuing resolution that President Joe Biden signed this morning, arguing that their businesses will not be able to hold on much longer without assistance. — "Right now there are sort of shockwaves rippling through the community because we had such high hopes that the replenishment was going to be included in the continuing resolution," said Erika Polmar, who leads the Independent Restaurant Coalition that formed last year in response to the pandemic. IRC, along with the National Restaurant Association, have been pushing for months for lawmakers to refill the coffers of a industry-specific grant program that was quickly drained in the spring. — But with the government now funded until mid-February, the number of must-pass bills that pandemic relief could hitch a ride on are dwindling. And it's unlikely Congress will pass a standalone bill. Still, the "needs are still there," said Sean Kennedy, the top lobbyist for the restaurants association. "And if Congress cares about restaurants in their hometowns, they will find a way to achieve bipartisan support to replenish" the fund before heading home for the holidays. — Meanwhile the fitness industry is fighting to secure an initial round of targeted relief funding as gyms settle into what's historically a slower season, ahead of what's typically been a new year rush of business. But studios haven't been able to count on that uptick, even, thanks to the pandemic. "I still get emails, phone calls, texts, seven days a week from gym owners, or operators that are saying, 'I'm still in trouble,'" said Brett Ewer, the head of government relations for CrossFit. "As long as it's happening ... we have no choice but to continue advocating for the aid." — On Thursday the Community Gyms Coalition, of which CrossFit is a member, and IHRSA, The Global Health & Fitness Association, penned a letter to congressional leadership to plead for help. The industry has lobbied for a targeted aid program similar to those created for the restaurant and live events industries since last year. The GYMS Act, which has more than 200 sponsors in both chambers of Congress, would create a $30 billion fund to assist gyms and fitness studios to stave off further closures, which the trade groups estimate could rise as high as 30 percent of fitness facilities in the country by the end of the year. — Polmar, Kennedy and Ewer all told PI that their members are sounding increasingly desperate about the prospect for survival without government help. "People are crying during meetings, and like, I've done plenty of meetings on a lot of different issues. And that doesn't really happen a lot," Ewer said. "We are definitely at the point where restaurants are telling us if it doesn't happen this year, they will be closed down before you right around the holiday period — for good," Kennedy said, while Polmar said she'd received texts and phone calls from members this week who'd received eviction notices. — The groups are hopeful a standalone small business package could be unveiled soon, and Kennedy said his organization has been engaging in "shuttle diplomacy" between members in order to get both parties to "yes" on more funding. "If Congress doesn't move this bill through, it's going to be a really horrible Christmas for a lot of people," Polmar said. —The restaurants association "will continue to be the first with the data and the economic analysis to make the case," Kennedy said. One member of the gyms coalition, meanwhile, is planning a scaled down fly-in next week, Ewer said, to make the case on behalf of the company's gym owners who can't afford to fly in themselves. For his part, Ewer told PI he's "on high alert" to cancel his plane ticket home for Christmas if he needs to stay in Washington to help shepherd through a relief bill. Happy Friday and welcome to PI. What's popping out there? Let me know: coprysko@politico.com. And be sure to follow me on Twitter: @caitlinoprysko. | | | | DON'T MISS CONGRESS MINUTES: Need to follow the action on Capitol Hill blow-by-blow? Check out Minutes, POLITICO's new platform that delivers the latest exclusives, twists and much more in real time. Get it on your desktop or download the POLITICO mobile app for iOS or Android. CHECK OUT CONGRESS MINUTES HERE. | | | | | MEDICARE PROVIDERS ALSO SCRAMBLING AFTER CLEAN FUNDING BILL: "The short-term funding fix to avert a government shutdown has left hospitals, doctors and other Medicare providers facing billions of dollars in payment cuts early in the new year. And Congress doesn't appear ready to respond," POLITICO's Megan Wilson writes. — "Some of the cuts stem from the fast-track budget process Democrats used to pass President Joe Biden 's $1.9 trillion pandemic relief package last March, while others are the result of Congress deferring key payment decisions. Lawmakers usually move in a bipartisan fashion to cushion such blows." But Republicans' reluctance to collaborate while Democrats pursue big spending plans is "forcing the majority party to scramble for another way to offset the cuts — a process that could drag into next year." — "That's left some powerful health industry groups pressing hard for a commitment before lawmakers leave for the year, by arguing health providers that have borne the brunt of the pandemic for nearly two years need financial certainty. 'There's been a lot of support for doctors in the past two years about being health care heroes and the like. And there's a concern that they're being sort of left out,' said Christian Shalgian, director of advocacy and health policy at the American College of Surgeons. 'Their big thank you is a 10 percent cut in Medicare payments.'" — "The surgeon's group is part of a 13-member coalition called the Surgical Care Coalition that's lobbying hard for a payment fix this year. The doctors aren't alone. A coalition of hospital groups called the Coalition to Protect America's Health Care launched a television and digital ad campaign that highlights the perils of allowing the payment cuts to take place. The failure to act would result in more than $14 billion in total Medicare payment cuts to hospitals in 2022, according to the groups." HOW WALMART WORKED ITS WAY BACK INTO DEMS' GOOD GRACES: Over the first year of Joe Biden's presidency, a big box retailer Biden and his party previously lambasted has transformed into a key ally of his administration , POLITICO's Hailey Fuchs reports — and the new embrace of Walmart didn't happen on accident. — "Over the past few years, Walmart has adopted internal policies that have softened its image among Democrats. It has also donated to Democratic lawmakers and their causes, right as the party was forging common ground with corporate America during the Trump years. In turn, the company has won an audience with top Democratic officials, including the president himself," a dynamic that's alarmed some allies in the labor community. — "The friendly rapport with Democrats is also the result of Walmart's attempt to use corporate initiatives to make inroads with the party, according to four people close to the company. A small fleet of lobbyists has been doing the company's bidding in Washington, and at least the past two lead in-house lobbyists have both been Democrats." Meanwhile, Walmart's PAC has balanced its political giving between the party more, according to data from the money-in-politics watchdog group Open Secrets . "While Democrats had once refused to accept the company's donations, lawmakers have become far more willing in recent cycles, according to an individual close to the company." | | | | BECOME A GLOBAL INSIDER: The world is more connected than ever. It has never been more essential to identify, unpack and analyze important news, trends and decisions shaping our future — and we've got you covered! Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Global Insider author Ryan Heath navigates the global news maze and connects you to power players and events changing our world. Don't miss out on this influential global community. Subscribe now. | | | | | HEALTH CARE ORGS LAUNCH TELEHEALTH PUSH: More than a dozen health care lobbying organizations are banding together to lobby for Congress to cement new telehealth flexibilities introduced during the pandemic. The campaign from Telehealth Access for America brings together groups like AARP, the Adventist Health Policy Association, the American Heart Association, the American Telemedicine Association, the American Hospital Association, Ascension, athenahealth, the Consumer Technology Association, Johns Hopkins Medicine and Teladoc Health. — The campaign comes as a pair of reports from the Department of Health and Human Services released today showed a surge in telehealth use by Medicare recipients during the first year of the pandemic. Eased restrictions on telehealth resulted in nearly 53 million virtual visits in traditional Medicare in 2020, compared to about 840,000 in 2019, POLITICO's Ben Leonard writes. In-person visits by Medicare patients, on the other hand, declined 11 percent over the same interval, partly due to individuals deferring care out of fear of contracting the virus. WHICH SENATORS A NORD STREAM 2 LOBBYIST MAXED OUT TO: "A major Democratic donor and Nord Stream 2 lobbyist has made maximum campaign contributions this year to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and vulnerable Senate Democrats," Axios' Alayna Treene and Lachlan Markay report, putting the lawmakers who support sanctions on the Russian-led project "at loggerheads with one of their party's top fundraisers." — "Vincent Roberti , a former Connecticut state representative, has given the legal maximum of $5,800 to Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Patty Murray (Wash.). He's also given $2,900 — the maximum primary contribution — to Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H). Both Cortez Masto and Hassan face competitive reelection fights next year. Roberti's firm, Roberti Global, has been paid $8.5 million for its Nord Stream 2 lobbying work, according to lobbying disclosure records. Roberti has long been a prolific Democratic fundraiser, as well as a regular donor." | | A message from Facebook: Facebook invested $13B in teams and technology to enhance safety
It's working: we lead the industry in stopping bad actors online. In the past few months, we took action on:
• 1.7B fake accounts
• 3.8M drugs and firearms sales posts
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Learn more about how we're making our platforms safer. | | | | | | — Kristen Silverberg will be COO and president at The Business Roundtable, replacing Marcus Peacock, who is retiring. Silverberg is currently executive vice president of policy. Rebecca Neale Hampson , who is currently vice president of policy initiatives, will be promoted to chief of staff, and Mike Andrews, who currently serves as vice president of administration, will be promoted to senior vice president of administration. — Samantha Dravis has been promoted to be COO of Clout Public Affairs. She most recently was senior vice president at Clout and is also a Trump EPA alum. — Christopher Hansell has joined the Association of Equipment Manufacturers as government relations manager. He was most recently military legislative assistant for Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) and is a Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-N.J.) alum. — The National Center for State Courts promoted Christopher Wu to director of government relations. He was previously a principal court management consultant. | | | Rosendale Majority Fund (Rep. Matt Rosendale, 406 PAC) | | | Buckeye Freedom Fund (Super PAC)
Georgia Democrats For Change (PAC)
GET THE JOB DONE PAC (Super PAC) | | | |   | | | | | New Lobbying Registrations | | Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld: Emed, LLC
Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld: Owlet Baby Care
Exigent Government Relations: Bridge Street Group LLC On Behalf Of Iggy Ventures LLC
Fgh Holdings, LLC (Formerly Known As The Glover Park Group LLC): Aquabounty Technologies, Inc.
Forbes-Tate: Square
K&L Gates, LLP: Trueaccord Corp.
Mclarty Inbound LLC: Coteccons Construction Joint Stock Company
Michael Best Strategies LLC: American Energy Action
Paul Marcone & Associates, LLC: Operation Benjamin
Paul Marcone & Associates, LLC: Red Oak Behavioral Health
Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP Dba Taft Advisors LLC Fka (Taft, Stettinius & Hollister,LLP): Knowledge Services
The Gaboton Group, LLC: L3Harris Technologies
Waxman Strategies: Carbon Engineering Ltd. | | New Lobbying Terminations | | Mkw Group, LLC: Nuclear Energy Systems Of Ukraine, LLC | | A message from Facebook: Facebook's industry-leading investments are stopping bad actors
We've invested $13 billion in teams and technology over the last 5 years to enhance safety.
It's working: in just the past few months, we took down 1.7 billion fake accounts to stop bad actors from doing harm.
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