| | | | |  | | By Caitlin Oprysko | Presented by U.S. Travel Association | With Daniel Lippman SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF BILL HEADS TO SENATE: Advocates and lobbyists for the restaurant and fitness industries are pivoting their attention to the Senate for one last shot at winning relief for industries still struggling to recover from the pandemic, after the House voted today to approve a $55 billion relief package. — The package includes $42 billion to replenish the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, the grant program for the industry that quickly ran out of its first tranche of money last spring, and includes a last-minute provision pushed for by progressives that would prevent any business that "has a wage violation at the time of application" from receiving funds, our Eleanor Mueller reported Wednesday. — It also includes $13 billion for other "hard hit" industries that weren't able to reap the benefits of past Covid aid packages, like fitness studios and entertainment venues. Gyms backed an amendment that would dedicate $2 billion of that funding to the industry, and though it was not included in the House version, a Senate version does include that language. — Though lawmakers and supporters of the Independent Restaurant Coalition said during a press call today that the industry does not have time to spare in getting additional assistance, the Senate is leaving today for a two-week recess before taking up the companion legislation from Sens. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), which still does not have vocal support from the 60 senators needed to overcome the filibuster. — But just having legislative text and concrete details on the package has aided in discussions on the Hill, Jeff Perkins, the vice president of government relations at IHRSA, The Global Health & Fitness Association , told PI. "Whereas, you know, before, I think we had an idea of what a package might look like, but having an actual package, I think, gives you something concrete to really go and talk to offices about as we look to sort of shore up and build support," he said. — Erika Polmar, the head of the IRC, said the group plans to focus its efforts in the upper chamber at least partially on the senators from the same state delegations that supported the package in the House today, while Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), one of the bill's key backers in the House, offered to lobby swing votes in the Senate. "If there are potential votes you think are up for grabs, you know, obviously, their constituents should reach out to them, but please let our offices know as well, [so] we can advocate from a different angle," Fitzpatrick said on the group's press call celebrating the House vote. — "We will engage you fully — you are not rid of us yet," Polmar responded. "Nearly 200,000 restaurants and bars have waited over a year for Congress to deliver the relief they need, and they can't hang on much longer," she told reporters. Sean Kennedy, the chief lobbyist for the National Restaurant Association , said in a statement after the vote that "the momentum of the last few days has been overwhelming for the restaurant industry," vowing to press senators to "complete the mission of the RRF." — The Economic Bridge Coalition, whose members comprise 17 trade associations representing a wide variety of small businesses and industries that could benefit from the legislation, cheered its House passage, saying the bill "would save small businesses in every state." Good afternoon and welcome to PI, where your host is still celebrating the return of baseball today even though the team that matters doesn't play 'til tomorrow. Send tips: coprysko@politico.com. And be sure to follow me on Twitter: @caitlinoprysko.
| | A message from U.S. Travel Association: The travel industry was disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. Domestic business travel spending remains 56% below 2019 levels and international travel spending remains down 78%. This week at the U.S. travel industry's annual legislative fly-in, we will call on Congress to help rebuild the workforce, reignite in-person meetings and events, and push to restore international inbound travel. The travel industry is critical to the United States' global competitiveness. When travel thrives, so does America. | | | GARDNER JOINS CRYPTO LOBBYING GROUP: The Crypto Council for Innovation, a trade association representing several major names in the cryptocurrency space, has brought on former Sen. Cory Gardner as its chief strategist of political affairs as the industry continues to build a foothold in Washington. The council formed just over a year ago, and though its ranks are smaller than crypto lobbying groups like the Blockchain Association, its membership includes some of the largest names in the industry, such as Coinbase, Block, Fidelity Digital Assets, Gemini, Paradigm and Ribbit Capital. — And though the industry has quickly ramped up its lobbying footprint over the past year as the Biden administration and Democrats in Congress have sought to rein in the digital asset sector, CCI thus far retains only one outside lobbying firm — though Denver-based Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck is likely familiar with the the Colorado Republican. — In addition to Gardner, who lost reelection in 2020, the council has also added Amanda Russo of the World Economic Forum as communications director, Annie Dizon of nonprofit TechSoup as director of operations, and Sean Lee of the Algorand Foundation and Katherine Wu of venture capital firm Archetype. SCHUMER AIDE HEADS DOWNTOWN: Sean Byrne has left Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer 's office, where he has worked over the past decade, to head to K Street. Byrne, who served as a senior adviser to Schumer on agriculture, environment, energy and natural resources, public land management, and NASA issues, has joined ACG Advocacy as a partner. In a statement, ACG founder and managing partner Shawn Smeallie said Byrne will help the firm build out its energy, ag and natural resources practices, adding that "his knowledge of Senate rules and process is unmatched."
| | | | INTRODUCING DIGITAL FUTURE DAILY - OUR MORNING TECHNOLOGY NEWSLETTER, RE-IMAGINED: Technology is always evolving, and our new tech-obsessed newsletter is too! Digital Future Daily unlocks the most important stories determining the future of technology, from Washington to Silicon Valley and innovation power centers around the world. Readers get an in-depth look at how the next wave of tech will reshape civic and political life, including activism, fundraising, lobbying and legislating. Go inside the minds of the biggest tech players, policymakers and regulators to learn how their decisions affect our lives. Don't miss out, subscribe today. | | | | | FORMER LAWMAKERS BACK CONGRESSIONAL STOCK BAN: "Thirty-seven former members of Congress are asking current congressional lawmakers to ban themselves — and their immediate family members — from trading individual stocks while in office," Insider's Dave Levinthal reports. — "'Congress has a unique opportunity right now to help restore public trust,' the group of 25 Democrats and 12 Republicans wrote in a letter sent Wednesday to every congressional office. 'Members on both sides of the aisle, along with the American public, share concern over members holding financial securities in companies that are directly affected by legislation under their control.'" — The signatories included former Sens. Gary Hart, Russ Feingold and Carol Moseley-Braun and former Reps. Charles Boustany, Sue Myrick, Chris Shays, Zach Wamp and Tim Roemer , and the letter came a day before the Committee on House Administration held a hearing on whether to ban or place new restrictions on stock trades by members of Congress. — "'As times change, so must the laws that govern oversight of Members in order to reduce the appearance of corruption,' the group of former lawmakers wrote. 'The moment has come to close loopholes and ensure Americans know their members are working for them. The onus now rests on Members of both parties to come together and find the best possible solutions.' In late March, a coalition of 19 advocacy and watchdog groups similarly called on House leadership to support legislation that would bar members of Congress, as well as their spouses and dependent children, from trading individual stocks." SPOTTED at a trade policy event at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld's Capitol Hill office, per a PI tipster: House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee ranking member Adrian Smith (R-Neb.), Reps. Jodey Arrington (R-Texas), Ron Estes (R-Kan.), Carol Miller (R-W.Va.), Darin LaHood (R-Ill.) and Lloyd Smucker (R-Pa.), John Lepore of Moderna, Chris Wenk of Kia, Ari Giovenco of Amazon, David Thomas of the U.S.-China Business Council, Cameron Bishop of J.R. Simplot Company, Lila Nieves-Lee and Margaret Simmons of Visa, David Lachmann of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization, Ivanna Yang of Genomatica, Akin Gump's Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Justin McCarthy, Clete Willems, Casey Higgins, Joe Fawkner, Geoff Verhoff, Jamie Tucker, Hans Rickhoff, Zach Rudisill and other Akin Gump clients and friends of the firm.
| | | | DON'T MISS ANYTHING FROM THE 2022 MILKEN INSTITUTE GLOBAL CONFERENCE: POLITICO is excited to partner with the Milken Institute to produce a special edition "Global Insider" newsletter featuring exclusive coverage and insights from the 25th annual Global Conference. This year's event, May 1-4, brings together more than 3,000 of the world's most influential leaders, including 700+ speakers representing more than 80 countries. "Celebrating the Power of Connection" is this year's theme, setting the stage to connect influencers with the resources to change the world with leading experts and thinkers whose insight and creativity can implement that change. Whether you're attending in person or following along from somewhere else in the world, keep up with this year's conference with POLITICO's special edition "Global Insider" so you don't miss a beat. Subscribe today. | | | | | | | | — Rachel Goldberg has been promoted to global head of external affairs at TransUnion, which has also added Allison Shuster as senior director, head of U.S. government relations. — The American Trucking Associations has hired Megan Masitto as the organization's new chief financial officer. She was most recently senior director of finance operations at NRECA. — James Sullivan is joining DLA Piper as partner in the firm's regulatory and government affairs practice in Washington. Sullivan most recently served as the assistant secretary for industry and analysis and as the deputy assistant secretary for services in the International Trade Administration at the Commerce Department. — Rebecca Good has joined the American Enterprise Institute to support new initiatives strengthening Black uplift, campus engagement and policy traction, Playbook reports. She is a former McKinsey analyst, Harvard chaplain and K-8 school founder. — Michael Horowitz is now director of the Defense Department's Office of Emerging Capabilities Policy, per Playbook. He previously was director of the University of Pennsylvania's Perry World House. — Carson Steelman is now press secretary for Heritage Action. She previously was a senior account executive at Athos PR and is a Greg Steube alum. — Sakshi Mahajan is now senior coordinator of legal talent, recruiting and training at Sullivan & Cromwell. She previously was director of research and communication at HHQ Ventures.
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| | | | A message from U.S. Travel Association:   | | | | | | Defend American Values Ideals and Destiny (DAVID PAC) (Leadership PAC: David Giglio)
Democracy Defense Fund (Hybrid PAC)
Desert Stonewall Democrats (PAC)
Opportunity for Tomorrow (Super PAC)
Pacific Northwest Political Action Committee (Super PAC)
Revere Federal PAC (PAC)
See Russia From My House PAC (Super PAC)
We Vote Values (Super PAC)
| | New Lobbying Registrations | | Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld: Mainstay Medical, Ltd.
Alb Solutions: Olive Ai
American Defense International, Inc.: Giant Oak, Inc.
American Public Education, Inc.: American Public Education, Inc.
Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP: Complete College America
Bernstein Strategy Group: National Association Of Federally Impacted Schools
Clark Hill, Plc: Spacelink Corporation
D&P Creative Strategies, LLC: Exelon Corporation
Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP: Stericycle
Forbes-Tate: Blockchain Association
Forbes-Tate: Exelon Corporation
Greenberg Traurig, LLP: Blue Wolf Capital Partners LLC
Hettinger Strategy Group LLC: Telesto Group LLC
Hsa Strategies: Amazon.Com Services LLC
Hsa Strategies: Centene Corporation
Kelley Drye & Warren LLP: Blue Ocean Mariculture
Key Advocates, Inc.: Anthura B.V.
Michael Ryan: The Good Food Institute
Miller Strategies, LLC: Datavault Holdings
Mr. Daniel Weiss: The Cormac Group Obo Americans For Puerto Rico Self Determination
Offensive Security Services, LLC: Offensive Security Services, LLC
Providence Strategies, LLC: Chesapeake Real Estate Development
Republic Consulting, LLC: Workhorse
Skog Rasmussen LLC: County Of Hawaii, Department Of Water Supply
Skog Rasmussen LLC: Hawaii Alliance Of Nonprofit Organizations
Tonio Burgos & Associates, Inc.: Rmour LLC
Urology Care Foundation: Urology Care Foundation
| | New Lobbying Terminations | | Card & Associates, LLC: Inner State
Covington & Burling LLP: Flexion Therapeutics, Inc.
Haley & Associates: California Walnut Commission
Jeff Miller Group: Veterans Evaluation Services, Inc.
Odney, Inc.: Clark Equipment Company
Stonington Global: Nostrum Pharmaceuticals LLC
The Harris Firm: Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.
| | A message from U.S. Travel Association: Reignite in-person professional meetings and events. Business travel came to a halt at the start of the pandemic and is still 56% below pre-pandemic levels, which is having a disproportionate impact on the overall travel industry's recovery. In a year-end tax package, Congress can spur a recovery of business travel spending at restaurants and entertainment venues by extending the full expensing of business meals beyond 2022 and restoring the deductibility of entertainment business expenses. In-person business meetings are essential to building relationships, conducting productive meetings and increasing profitability—not to mention there is a positive economic impact for the overall U.S. economy. | | | | | | | Follow us | | | | |
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