| | | | | |  | | By Caitlin Oprysko | Presented by Save Our Standards | With Daniel Lippman PUSHING FOR A PACKAGE: Industries hit hard by the pandemic that are lobbying for a new (or first-time) wave of targeted federal aid pledged today to keep up the fight after comments from the White House appeared to pour cold water on nascent efforts on the Hill to craft a bipartisan, targeted small-business package for restaurants, gyms and other struggling sectors. — "We did a major relief package that included helping restaurants just last year," White House press secretary Jen Psaki said at a news briefing this afternoon. Though she said the administration is "in constant discussions with Congress and leadership" about further relief, Psaki said there was no "new prediction of new pending requests or specific requests." — The question came after a pair of reports in The Washington Post and CNN on early-stage talks for a potential bill from Sens. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) to refill the coffers of the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, and provide targeted aid to the fitness and live-events industries. CNN reported that a senior administration official appeared to open the door only for more relief for restaurants, however. — "That message is contrary to what we've heard, and we're still in discussions with congressional leaders and offices on support," said Brett Ewer, a lobbyist for CrossFit and part of an industry coalition that has been pushing for targeted relief for over a year. "Gyms are still struggling, with small fitness facility owners saddled with an average $75,000 worth of debt due to the COVID restrictions," he added in an email to PI, noting that the latest surge stands to threaten the industry's best months for business by keeping New Year's resolutioners out of gyms. — Advocates for the restaurant industry, which has been pushing for a new round of cash to help the nearly two-thirds of applicants left without help last spring, expressed frustration with the lack of urgency from leaders in getting more funding approved despite widespread support from lawmakers. "Every warning light is blinking red, and Washington doesn't have a plan in place," Sean Kennedy, the top lobbyist for the National Restaurant Association, said in an interview. "We need Democrats to step up, we need Republicans to step up. … We can't keep being told to wait until the pending bill on the floor is resolved." — Erika Polmar, executive director of the Independent Restaurant Coalition , said in a statement that "the government started a program to help restaurants and they need to finish the job," pointing to "widespread bipartisan support for restaurant relief for months in Congress." Alluding to reporting on the lack of buy-in from Senate leadership on a new relief bill, Polmar noted that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer had previously called the nearly $30 billion in restaurant relief funding passed in the spring a "down payment," adding that the IRC "hopes that remains the case." Good afternoon and welcome to PI. What'd I miss over the holidays? Send tips: coprysko@politico.com. And be sure to follow me on Twitter: @caitlinoprysko. | | A message from Save Our Standards: Technical standards like 5G and Wi-Fi have the power to transform industries, fuel the economy, and create high-quality jobs. But that only happens if owners of patents essential to standards honor their commitments to license all innovators to use those patents on fair and reasonable terms. A new draft Administration statement restores the balance vital to standards adoption and job creation. Support the Administration to promote American manufacturing and limit product bans on standard-essential patents. | | | FIRST IN PI — LIBERAL GROUPS TARGET CORPORATIONS WHO DONATED TO OBJECTORS: Liberal government-reform and voting rights groups End Citizens United and Let America Vote are launching a nationwide ad campaign Thursday to mark the first anniversary of rioters storming the Capitol in a bid to prevent Congress from certifying the results of the 2020 presidential election. The groups are releasing the ad along with a memo highlighting corporations that have donated to the 147 lawmakers who voted against certifying the election results after the insurrection. — The 30-second spot argues that companies whose PACs resumed giving to those lawmakers engaged in "half-hearted PR stunts" when they condemned the attack last January, and notes that a number of companies have contributed to state legislators who penned new voting restrictions that pockets of corporate America have spoken out against, as well as groups that promoted the rally preceding the insurrection. "Corporations are sacrificing our democracy to buy influence," the ad argues, urging viewers to "hold them accountable." The mid-five-figure buy will include spots on Facebook, Google, YouTube and programmatic video. WHO'S LOBBYING ON NFTs: One of the largest companies in the non-fungible token, or NFT, space — Dapper Labs, Inc., based in Vancouver, British Columbia — has become the first to federally register to lobby on issues related to NFTs, our Hailey Fuchs reports. The company has hired a team from Crossroads Strategies to lobby on "policy related to NFTs, blockchain, and financial services," according to a disclosure filed Monday. — "While Congress has so far shied away from policy discussions regarding NFTs" — digital tokens representing a visual image that are distributed through a blockchain — "Dapper Labs' filing underscores how companies in the field are preparing for regulatory battles ahead. Other crypto groups have registered to lobby the government as well, though without listing NFTs specifically as a subject matter on which they would lobby." — "In addition to hiring Crossroads Strategies, the group also recruited Alison Kutler, a veteran of the Federal Communications Commission, who began as its head of government affairs in November. Kutler served as the FCC's chief of the consumer and government affairs bureau and special adviser to the chair between 2015 and 2017, according to her LinkedIn profile. Kutler also registered to lobby for Dapper Labs on issues related to NFT and blockchain, according to a disclosure posted on Tuesday." — Dapper Labs offered little explanation for its foray into Washington. In a statement, Rachel Rogers, a company spokesperson, said that the group intended to promote "education and mainstream adoption of Web3"—using a term that refers to a new version of the web based on blockchains — and champion "the benefits of this technology to society." Rogers added that "in this increasingly digital world, we believe in openness, transparency and equality of opportunity," but she did not provide any additional details regarding their advocacy. | | | | 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. | | | | | SUBJECT MATTER ADDS A REPUBLICAN: Rebecca Shaw is leaving the Hill after more than a decade to join Subject Matter's government relations team. She most recently served as chief of staff to freshman Rep. Trey Hollingsworth (R-Ind.) and before that was a top aide to former Rep. Chris Gibson (R-N.Y.). Shaw said in an interview she plans on registering to lobby, focusing mostly on the House and financial services issues. — Asked what prompted her to leave the Hill, Shaw pointed to Subject Matter's reputation in Washington. "There are a lot of firms in town, not a lot of firms that have the reputation that Subject Matter has," she said. "And it was important for me, just with the swinging of the Congress, particularly the House, to go to a bipartisan firm that truly is bipartisan." BARRACK IN COURT: Former Trump campaign adviser and investment banker Tom Barrack, who was arrested last year on charges of acting as a foreign agent of the United Arab Emirates, was in court today for a pre-trial hearing, per our Josh Gerstein. Jury selection for the case was set for Sept. 7, though litigation is expected between now and then over classified information that may be relevant to the case. Judge Brian Cogan U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York is going to meet privately with the defense to hear its theories before looking at the classified information to see whether the defense is entitled to it. — Barrack's attorney, Daniel Petrocelli, appeared at one point to imply that political factors are at play in the case, pointing to the delay between the end of the investigation into Barrack and his indictment in July. One FARA expert, however, told PI following Barrack's arrest that the non-FARA statute he was charged under, often referred to as "espionage lite," may have been an attempt to sidestep thorny political considerations that can accompany FARA indictments. — "Obviously, the time that has elapsed has taken an excruciating and devastating toll on Mr. Barrack and it's our desire to get to trial as soon as possible," he told Cogan. There was also discussion of a potential conflict of interest with Barrack's co-defendant and former aide Matthew Grimes over an arrangement for Barrack to advance Grimes' legal fees. WHEELER'S NEW GIG?: Virginia Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin has nominated Andrew Wheeler , a lobbyist-turned-EPA chief during the Trump administration, as his secretary of natural resources. Wheeler, who helped spearhead the administration's rollback of environmental and climate change regulations in his time as deputy, acting and confirmed EPA administrator, was previously a GOP Senate staffer and a lobbyist for Faegre Baker Daniels (now known as Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath) lobbying for clients including coal producer Murray Energy, Xcel Energy, Bear Head LNG and Energy Fuels Resources. — "As Virginia's top environmental official, he'd likely be charged with implementing Youngkin's pledge to remove the state from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a cap-and-trade market among states in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic that aims to reduce carbon emissions from the power sector," POLITICO's Josh Siegel reported in Morning Energy. He's "remained busy since leaving EPA, joining the pro-Trump Advancing American Freedom and the conservative Heritage Foundation. In his private capacity, he recently testified against a proposed 5-cent tax on disposable plastic bags in Fairfax County, Va." | | | | A message from Save Our Standards:   | | | | | | — Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck has promoted Greta Joynes, who also co-chairs the firm's technology and telecommunications practice, and David Reid to policy directors in the Washington office. — Tanuj Deora is joining the White House Council on Environmental Quality as director of clean energy and team leader for 24/7 carbon pollution-free electricity team. He was previously vice president of market innovation at Uplight. — Majority Group has added Anne Canfield and Erin Frederick Cline to its government relations team. Canfield was most recently a partner at Michael Best Strategies, leading the firm's financial services and community development advocacy practice, and Cline was most recently a consultant for Michael Best. Dan Archer has been promoted from principal to partner. — Dane Farrell has joined Cascade Associates as the director of government affairs. Farrell also serves as the legislative director of the Federal Performance Contracting Coalition and previously was a government affairs associate at Kent & O'Connor. — TechNet has added Dylan Hoffman as executive director for California and the Southwest, Ebbie Yazdani as federal policy director, Nancy Gabaldon as director of digital content, and Shalaka Joshi as state policy coordinator. — Nina Schwalbe is returning to Spark Street Advisors after her detail as director of USAID's Vaccine Access and Delivery Initiative ends today. — Anthony Pardal is now vice president for strategic engagement at the American Bankers Association. He previously was deputy federal affairs director for Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, and is an Evan Bayh alum. — RepresentUs co-founder Joshua Graham Lynn will take over as CEO, replacing fellow co-founder and CEO Josh Silver, the group announced Tuesday. — Putnam Partners has tapped Jenna Kruse as senior vice president, Cristina González and Bryan "Boo" Yuen as vice presidents, Isaac Walker as senior associate and Syeda "Hubbul" Rizvi as an associate. — Julia Jackson Bellinger is now director of government affairs at the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging. She most recently was at the International Hearing Society, and is a Smithbucklin, YMCA of the USA and Tim Penny alum. — Matt Pincus, formerly director of government affairs for the National Association of State Chief Information Officers, has joined Workday to lead federal government relations efforts. — Joe Kane has joined the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation as director of broadband and spectrum policy. — Amanda Munger is now a partner at Melwood Global, leading the D.C. public affairs and strategic comms work. She's an Obama DHS, DOI and Rick Larsen alum. — D'Seantè Parks is now a senior vice president in SKDK's New York office. She previously had an independent public affairs consulting practice and founded a civic empowerment app, 1000 MORE. — Alex Koehlke is now director of public affairs at the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors . He is a U.S. Department of Transportation alum, and most recently worked at the Partnership for Public Service. — John Perrino has joined the Stanford Internet Observatory as a policy analyst responsible for building up policy engagement on internet trust, safety and security issues. He was previously director at the Glen Echo Group, leading cybersecurity policy and public sector communications work. — Airports Council International – North America has promoted Annie Russo to the newly created role of chief political and congressional strategy officer. She was previously senior vice president of government and political affairs. The group also promoted AmyClaire Brusch to managing director for policy and regulatory affairs. — Miki Carver has joined IBM as an external relations professional for the company's D.C.-based government and regulatory affairs team. She previously held communications roles at the Bipartisan Policy Center and the Energy Department. — Bill Parsons is joining the American Clean Power Association as vice president for federal and state affairs, a newly created role. Parsons joins ACP from the American Council on Renewable Energy, where he was chief operating officer. Prior to that, he was chief of staff and legislative director to then-Rep. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland. — Former Columbia, S.C., Mayor Steve Benjamin has been named co-chair of the advisory board at BGR Group. | | | | 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. | | | | | | | | RETIRE OR LOSE (Tom Emmer, NRCC) | | | Alliance for Care at the End of Life d/b/a Hospice Action Network PAC (HAN PAC) (PAC)
American Democracy Not Autocracy (Super PAC)
Chicago Black Social Workers Political Action Committee (PAC)
Elder for America (Hybrid PAC)
IEC Corporation PAC (PAC) | | New Lobbying Registrations | | Alcalde & Fay: Applied Research Associates, Inc.
Alignment Government Strategies: Markel Corporation
Ats Communications, Inc.: Regent Craft, Inc.
Ballard Partners: Arel Trucking Inc.
Ballard Partners: Eastern Salt Company, Inc.
Bc Consulting, LLC: National Motor Freight Traffic Association
Dapper Labs, Inc.: Dapper Labs, Inc.
Diroma Eck & Co. LLP: Marathon Digital Holdings, Inc.
Lincoln Park Group L.L.C.: K&L Gates LLP On Behalf Of Cyanco International
Miller & Chevalier Chartered: Akj Steel Industries, Inc.
New Century Government Affairs (F/K/A Terrence C. Wolfe): M&S Media, Inc.
Peter Damon Group LLC: Heat And Frost Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust
State Federal Strategies: Heat And Frost Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust
Strathmore Health Strategy: Giskit Pharma
Van Scoyoc Associates: Delaware River Basin Commission
Washington Advocacy Group: Blackstone Construction LLC | | New Lobbying Terminations | | Adams And Reese, LLP: Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority
Bousum Consulting LLC: Metro Aviation
Fourth Street Advocacy (Corsa Potomac, LLC): Ksa Industries, Inc.
Nexxus Consulting, LLC: Delaware North Corporation
Nexxus Consulting, LLC: Lowell Observatory
The Kutler Group: Harman International
The Kutler Group: Navient Solutions
The Kutler Group: Prime Therapeutics | | A message from Save Our Standards: Support US Jobs. Stop SEP Abuse.
A new draft policy statement on standard-essential patents (SEPs) committed for licensing on fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory terms was released jointly by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the Department of Justice. The draft statement provides guidance on appropriate remedies in cases involving the use of these patents, and presents an approach to SEPs that strives to balance the interests of patent holders with the broad range of U.S. industries that use standards to protect the future of innovation.
Save Our Standards is a broad-based coalition working to end abusive practices in SEP licensing. We welcome the draft statement and support the Biden Administration for their leadership protecting U.S. competitiveness in charting out this balanced approach. Comments are being accepted through February 4. Support the Biden Administration to stop SEP abuse. | | | | | | | Follow us | | | | |
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