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Politico
6 days ago
- Business
- Politico
An explosion of AI lobbying
With Daniel Lippman LOBBYING BY AI STARTUPS STILL GROWING: Some of the biggest players in artificial intelligence continued to ramp up their spending on federal lobbying last quarter, ahead of the sweeping federal AI blueprint released by the White House today. — The roadmap hands the tech sector a massive win by slashing red tape in order to cement the U.S. as a global AI leader, including by reviving a version of the state and local AI moratorium that was dropped by Republicans in their reconciliation bill earlier this month. It also calls for expedited approvals to speed up the construction of data centers and other infrastructure to support AI technology, POLITICO's Mohar Chatterjee reports. It also calls for AI models to root out 'ideological bias' if they want to contract with the federal government. — Ahead of today's rollout, ChatGPT maker OpenAI spent $620,000 on lobbying in Q2, up 30 percent from the same period a year ago, and up 11 percent from the first three months of this year, according to a PI analysis of lobbying disclosures. OpenAI also picked up a new outside lobbying firm during Q2. It retained former Rep. Cheri Bustos of Mercury Public Affairs beginning in May to lobby the House, Senate and White House Office of Administration on AI policy, according to a disclosure. — Anthropic, the startup behind AI chatbot Claude, dropped $910,000 on lobbying last quarter — a massive spike from the beginning of the year (when Anthropic reported $360,000 in lobbying outlays) and the same period last year, when the firm spent just $150,000 lobbying Washington. — Anthropic also added a new outside lobbying firm, Continental Strategy, at the beginning of the quarter. Anthropic paid Continental $90,000 to lobby the House, Senate, Treasury and Executive Office of the President on issues related to AI and national security, according to a disclosure filing. — Anthropic and OpenAI's lobbying expenditures still pale in comparison to their more established Silicon Valley peers like Meta, whose $5.8 million in lobbying spending last quarter led the tech industry, or Amazon, which spent $4.5 million in Q2. (Both companies reported lobbying on a wide range of issues last quarter, and it's impossible to tell how much of their total spending went toward advocacy on AI.) — In all, nearly 500 different entities reported lobbying Washington on AI policy last quarter, according to a PI analysis, including other giant tech companies like Microsoft, Google, Oracle, IBM, Qualcomm and Nvidia. — Trade groups representing Silicon Valley and beyond — such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, American Medical Association, PhRMA, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, Edison Electric Institute and the National Association of Realtors — also dropped tens of millions of dollars lobbying on issues that included AI policy, as did major corporations from a broad cross section of industries, civil liberties and labor groups, and universities. Happy Wednesday and welcome to PI. Send tips. Add me on Signal at caitlinoprysko.17, email me at coprysko@ and be sure to follow me on X: @caitlinoprysko. SPEAKING OF: The New York Times, which resumed federal lobbying in April for the first time in a decade — in part to engage on the intellectual property issues posed to news outlets by the explosion of AI use — has joined the Copyright Alliance. The coalition includes individual creators and other stakeholders affected by copyright issues, such as professional athletes, photographers, musicians, actors, authors, movie studios and more. — 'In a time when many tech companies are routinely violating copyright protections to boost their valuations by billions, the work of the Copyright Alliance couldn't be more crucial,' Diane Brayton, the Times' executive vice president and chief legal officer, said in a statement. MORE NOTES FROM THE LOBBYING DEADLINE: 'Renewable energy lobbyists dumped millions of dollars over the past few months in a frenzied push to save green energy priorities,' E&E News' Timothy Cama and Kelsey Brugger report. But 'in the end, they didn't get much bang for their buck.' — 'As Republicans ramped up their efforts to roll back tax credits, the top renewable energy advocacy organization in the country, the American Clean Power Association, spent a record $3.8 million lobbying federal officials for the second quarter that ended in June. That's more than six times as much that they spent a year ago in the same time period, new disclosures show.' — 'ACP was far from the only group that significantly boosted its advocacy work' last quarter, with groups like the Solar Energy Industries Association and the Zero Emission Transportation Association reporting big increases as well. — The health care industry also spent record sums last quarter, as hospitals, insurers, and drugmakers worked to fend off Republicans' proposed Medicaid cuts and anti-vaccine rhetoric from officials like HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., per POLITICO's Amanda Chu. PhRMA 'spent $7.58 million on lobbying in the second quarter, its highest for the period,' Amanda writes, while two of its members, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Merck, 'recorded their highest spending for any quarter.' — 'Insurance companies have also boosted their spending. AHIP, the health insurance industry group, spent $4.05 million in the second quarter, its highest for the period on record, while United Healthcare and Centene reported their second- and third-highest lobbying expenditures for any quarter, respectively. The American Hospital Association, meanwhile, reported $6.15 million, its second-highest for the period.' NEWS FROM THE THINK TANK WORLD: 'A South Korean nonprofit affiliated with Seoul's foreign ministry has funneled at least $9.4 million to U.S. think tanks in recent years … making it one of the top global funders of American policy research despite avoiding registration under foreign agent laws,' according to a new investigation from Korea Pro's Chad O'Carroll and Ifang Bremer. — 'The findings show that the Korea Foundation (KF), which maintains offices in Washington and Los Angeles, provided grants to at least 31 different organizations from 2019 to 2023. But while KF claims to be a non-governmental body and a 'nonprofit public institution,' Korea Pro's findings show that the foundation is closely tied to the South Korean government and explicitly seeks to advance Seoul's interests, at times pressuring scholars to promote the positions of the administration in power.' — 'KF's activities reportedly caught the attention of U.S. authorities before, and last year's indictment of Korea expert Sue Mi Terry, a former CIA analyst accused of failing to register as a foreign agent for Seoul, has exacerbated KF's fears of being seen as a foreign agent itself, Korea Pro's investigation found.' A spokesperson for the foundation told Korea Pro that it is 'not a government entity,' but a ''non-classified public institution' that provides academic, cultural and policy research grant programs.' Jobs report — Allyson Jones-Brimmer has been appointed executive director of the Northeast Dairy Producers Association, per Morning Agriculture. She has served as the group's vice president of regulatory and legislative affairs since November 2023. — Joe Murphy and Christine Ravold are now directors of strategic communications at the National Association of Manufacturers. Murphy was previously NAM's director of rapid response and Ravold was previously regional communications manager at Stand Together, managing day-to-day media relations for Americans for Prosperity. — Geoffrey Pyatt has joined the Partnership to Address Global Emissions as an advisory council member. He most recently served as assistant secretary of State for energy resources and is a former U.S. ambassador to Greece and Ukraine. — Binance CEO Richard Teng has joined the advisory board at The Digital Chamber. — Cecili Wake, Anna Dardick, Melody Mohebi and Ade Salami have joined Democracy 2076. Wake, now the group's deputy director, was previously a strategy consultant at NTI. Dardick, now program director of A Constitution for 2076, was previously a campaign strategist at the ACLU. Mohebi, now program director of Imagining 2076, was previously the director of social impact, measurement and insights at Participant Media. Salami, now program director of Pro-Democracy Political Coalitions in 2076, was previously a senior policy aide for the City of Minneapolis. — Joel Graham is now associate administrator for the Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs at NASA. He previously was a partner at Meeks, Butera and Israel. — Avery Blank is joining Qualcomm's AI legal team as senior legal counsel. She was previously counsel for the Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee. — Mary Springer Sforza is now senior vice president of government relations for Rolls-Royce. She previously was director of legislative affairs at Lockheed Martin. New Joint Fundraisers None. New PACs Battleground Alliance PAC (Super PAC) Democratic Action Network (Hybrid PAC) LONE STAR PAC (Super PAC) PAC (Super PAC) NATIONAL OILSEED PROCESSORS ASSOCIATION PAC (NOPA PAC) (PAC) South Dakota Values PAC (Super PAC) A STRONG AMERICA PAC (Super PAC) New Lobbying REGISTRATIONS Banner Public Affairs, LLC: The P3I Group Batie & Associates, LLC: Franklin County Government - Ohio Bracewell LLP: Aquestive Therapeutics Cassidy & Associates, Inc.: Gfs LLC Cassidy & Associates, Inc.: Sacramento County Department Of Airports Db3, LLC (Fka The Daschle Group): Bwc Consulting (On Behalf Of Moca Financial, Inc.) Foley & Lardner LLP: Par Health USa, LLC Frontera Group: Crow Industries Fs Vector LLC: Smartcontract Inc. Fulcrum Public Affairs LLC: Reproductive Freedom For All Hall Booth Smith P.C.: Scout LLC Hance Scarborough: Packsize International, LLC Holly Strategies Incorporated: 202 Group Bluevoyant Mr. Michael R. Pawlowski: Capitol Counsel, LLC On Behalf Of Share Our Strength Ms. Amelia Kegan: C Street Navigators Global LLC (Formerly Dc Navigators, LLC): Csmi, LLC Navigators Global LLC (Formerly Dc Navigators, LLC): International Association Of Plumbing & Mechanical Officials Oculus Strategies, LLC: Quantum Knight Orica Australia Pty Ltd: Orica Australia Pty Ltd Policy Integration Partners, LLC: Ser Capital Polsinelli Pc: American Glaucoma Society Polsinelli Pc: Cerapedics, Inc. Polsinelli Pc: National Board For Health And Wellness Coaching Polsinelli Pc: Procept Biorobotics Polsinelli Pc: Sonex Health, Inc. Prime Policy Group: Bleu Garde Prime Policy Group: Kedrion Biopharma Sirona Strategies LLC: Remote Monitoring Leadership Council The Consilio Group: N Brereton Medical Technologies The Raben Group: Tides Network Think Policy Consulting, LLC: Todd Strategy Group: Bridgebio Pharma Todd Strategy Group: Vaxart Inc. New Lobbying Terminations Banner Public Affairs, LLC: Stakeholder Labs Blank Rome Government Relations: Delfin Midstream Inc. Blank Rome Government Relations: International Group Of P&I Clubs Blank Rome Government Relations: Municipality Of Anchorage Davenport Policy: Meridian Implementation Fund Federal Business Group: Nextgen Federal Systems Fs Vector LLC: Audenzia Advisors LLC Fs Vector LLC: Sf Operations, Inc Jtr Strategies LLC: Aero Technologies, Inc. Kilpatrick Townsend And Stockton: Danimer Scientific Kilpatrick Townsend And Stockton: Freeman Capital Kpmg LLP: Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation Merchant Mcintyre & Associates, LLC: Citizens Medical Center Merchant Mcintyre & Associates, LLC: Jefferson Community Health & Life Merchant Mcintyre & Associates, LLC: Mcalester Regional Health Center Merchant Mcintyre & Associates, LLC: United Way Of Tarrant County Mwmurray Consulting LLC: Unicef USa Onmessage Public Strategies: The Hague Initiative For International Cooperation (Thinc.) Platinum Advisors Dc, LLC: Glydways, Inc Platinum Advisors Dc, LLC: Shaolin Capital Management, LLC Strategic Health Care: Paragonix Technologies Terrapin Strategy, Inc: Satoshi Action Fund
Politico
22-07-2025
- Business
- Politico
Ballard dethrones Brownstein
With Katherine Long, Daniel Lippman Here are your Lobbying Disclosure Act revenue rankings for the second quarter of 2025: TOP FIRMS OTHER NOTABLE FIRMS — K&L Gates: $5.5 million (versus $4.7 million in Q1 2025 and $4.4 million in Q2 2024) — Van Scoyoc Associates: $5.3 million (versus $4.5 million in Q1 2025 and $5.2 million in Q2 2024) — Alpine Group: $5.1 million (versus $4.9 million in Q1 2025 and $4.8 million in Q2 2024) — Checkmate Government Relations: $4.5 million (versus $910,000* in Q1 2025 and $0 in Q2 2024) — Mindset Advocacy: $4.5 million (versus $3.8 million in Q1 2025 and $3.5 million in Q2 2024) — Vogel Group: $4.2 million (versus $3.3 million in Q1 2025 and $2.9 million in Q2 2024) — Hogan Lovells: $4 million (versus $3.3 million in Q1 2025 and $3.1 million in Q2 2024) — Monument Advocacy: $3.7 million (versus $3.7 million in Q1 2025 and $3.6 million in Q2 2024) *Estimated based on Senate disclosure filings. All other figures have been verified with the firms. TOP SPENDERS BIGGEST CONTRACTS: Happy Tuesday and welcome to PI. What are you watching for in tonight's LDA filing deadline? Add me on Signal at caitlinoprysko.17, email me at coprysko@ and be sure to follow me on X: @caitlinoprysko. WHAT THE NUMBERS MEAN: Six months into President Donald Trump's second term was all it took for a handful of newer firms with ties to the president or his administration to overtake many of the more established firms on K Street. Ballard Partners vaulted all the way to the top of the revenue rankings in the second quarter with an astonishing haul of $20.6 million — up from $14 million in Q1 and more than four times what the firm brought in during the same period a year ago. — Miller Strategies and Mercury Public Affairs, meanwhile, jumped into the top 10 earners on K Street last quarter, while Continental Strategy debuted at No. 15 in the rankings in Q2. — More broadly, the second Trump administration has ushered in a gold rush across K Street, as haggling over the GOP megabill, tariff and trade whiplash and more drove record-breaking business to firms around town. — 'There's certainly a hunger for information, and then analysis to help predict and plan for the future,' Will Moschella, who co-leads the Brownstein's lobbying practice, told PI. Though the firm lost the top spot in the rankings to Ballard, Brownstein's $18.5 million in lobbying revenues last quarter broke the firm's previous quarterly record set in Q2 of 2024. — BGR Group, meanwhile, leapfrogged Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld en route to the firm's own quarterly record of $17.7 million in Q2. 'We're sort of looking through all the numbers and trying to make some observations about it and the wild thing is … there's no one single issue that drove our growth,' Loren Monroe, the co-head of BGR's lobbying practice, told PI. 'It's across the board with multiple issues at the same time.' FARA FRIDAY, ON TUESDAY: Testimony from David Weiss, the former U.S. attorney tasked with investigating and prosecuting Hunter Biden, revealed prosecutors lacked the evidence needed to bring charges against the former first son under FARA, the New York Post's Josh Christenson writes. — Weiss admitted to House Judiciary Committee members June 6 that he 'personally' considered bringing charges that Biden acted as a foreign agent, but was unable to back up the charges, according to a transcript released by House Republicans Monday. — Biden's foreign business deals were uncovered amid House Republicans' efforts to impeach Joe Biden. They found that Hunter Biden would often invoke his father's name to secure deals with clients in Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Russia and China. Weiss had previously hinted at FARA violations last August, citing an instance in which Biden attempted to lobby State Department officials amidst a probe of Romanian businessperson Gabriel Popoviciu during his father's vice presidency. ON THE AIRWAVES: MAHA Action, a 501(c)(4) organization, is launching an ad campaign in support of the Trump administration's MAHA agenda. The campaign, which begins Tuesday and runs through Aug. 12, features an ad titled 'A New Day in America' focused on the 'health revolution' enacted by President Donald Trump and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The ad will run on cable outlets and online in the D.C. area and nationwide. — A spokesperson for MAHA Action told PI that while there are no specific markets for nationwide buys, the ad buy is in the high six figures. — The campaign seeks to highlight the growing public support behind Trump and Kennedy's MAHA agenda, specifically citing Kennedy's push to reform the food industry and dietary guidelines. — 'MAHA Action will amplify the voices demanding an end to the corruption that has led to the chronic disease epidemic, to an existential health crisis,' MAHA Action President Tony Lyons said in a news release. ALL IN ON ALL IN: 'The four tech investors and entrepreneurs who debate economics and tech on 'All-In' have amassed outsize influence, first in Silicon Valley and more recently in Washington,' The Wall Street Journal's Katherine Sayre and Isabella Simonetti write of the podcast hosted by David Friedberg, David Sacks, Chamath Palihapitiya and Jason Calacanis. —'Their mix of wonky policy talk and mentions of their affluent lifestyles has gained so much cachet that cabinet secretaries and senators now frequently join. On Wednesday, President Trump is expected to deliver a major address at a summit on 'winning the AI race' that 'All-In' is co-hosting with bipartisan group Hill & Valley Forum.' — 'The foursome are in some ways a media manifestation of the MAGA movement's ties to tech—a place where DOGE cuts, AI and crypto are celebrated. The hosts' proximity to power can draw big-name guests such as Jared Isaacman, whose nomination as NASA administrator Trump had withdrawn, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.' Jobs report — Ian Banks is joining the Foundation for American Innovation to run its new Science Policy Program, focused on reforms to restore the U.S.' scientific enterprise and competitive edge. He previously was at the Conservative Coalition for Climate Solutions. — Christian Morgan will be head of government relations at BJC HealthCare. He currently is managing principal at HB Strategies and is an Ann Wagner alum. — Ben Friedmann is now vice president of external affairs at the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation. He previously was deputy assistant secretary of state for global public affairs in the first Trump administration and is a RGA, NRSC and Google alum. — Freya Charlesworth is joining Frontline Strategies as a digital account director. She most recently was an email marketing specialist at Push Digital Group. New Joint Fundraisers Duckworth Kim Victory Fund (Sens. Tammy Duckworth, Andy Kim) New PACs Clear Voice Minnesota (Super PAC) OHIO FLYER PAC (Super PAC) Ready to Fight PAC (Leadership PAC: James Walkinshaw) New Lobbying REGISTRATIONS Acg Advocacy: Abbvie Acg Advocacy: Danone North America Acg Advocacy: Daric Technologies Alpine Group Partners, LLC.: Vertanical Gmbh American Defense International, Inc.: Almonty Industries American Defense International, Inc.: Autocar LLC American Defense International, Inc.: Bitdeer Technologies Group American Defense International, Inc.: Code Metal, Inc. American Defense International, Inc.: Kfi Engineering, Pc American Defense International, Inc.: Onmed LLC American Defense International, Inc.: Tectraum Inc. American Defense International, Inc.: The Lincoln Electric Company Arentfox Schiff LLP: Amrize North America Inc. Avenue Solutions: Maryland Hospital Association Axadvocacy Government Relations: Br Building Resources Company Axadvocacy Government Relations: Thalrix, LLC Az Dc Consulting, LLC: Sustainable Home Improvement Loans Of Arizona Baker & Hostetler LLP: Blackbird Laboratories Barnes & Thornburg, LLP: Riverview Health Becker & Poliakoff, P.A.: Griffin Capital Company, LLC Bell & Lindsay, Inc. (Formerly White House Consulting Inc.): Gov Biz Advantage, Inc. (For Fortress Wildfire Insurance Group) Best Best & Krieger LLP: City Of Lake Forest Bgr Government Affairs: 160 Driving Academy Bgr Government Affairs: Association For Responsible Healthcare Investment Bgr Government Affairs: Kraft Heinz Company B Hall Strategies, LLC: Tiber Creek Group Obo Siemens Healthineers Black Diamond Strategies LLC: On Demand Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Bose Public Affairs Group: American Camp Association Bose Public Affairs Group: Security Industry Association Bracewell LLP: Dt Midstream, Inc. Bracewell LLP: Johnson Health Tech Retail Inc. Bracewell LLP: Targa Resources Corporation Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP: Engelstad Foundation Capitol Connections, LLC: National Fireworks Association Capitol Counsel LLC: L'Oreal USa S/D, Inc. Cassidy & Associates, Inc.: Johnstown-Cambria County Airport Authority & Cambrian Hills Development Group Cassidy & Associates, Inc.: Tonopah Solar Energy Cgcn Group, LLC: Manus Bio Inc. Cleancapital Holdings LLC: Cleancapital Holdings LLC Co2Efficient LLC: Ai Supply Chain Alliance (Informal Coalition) Db3, LLC (Fka The Daschle Group): 5E Advanced Materials, Inc Db3, LLC (Fka The Daschle Group): Allegiant Air, LLC Db3, LLC (Fka The Daschle Group): Arq, Inc. Db3, LLC (Fka The Daschle Group): Assured Information Security Db3, LLC (Fka The Daschle Group): Bush Brothers & Company Db3, LLC (Fka The Daschle Group): Celiac Disease Foundation Db3, LLC (Fka The Daschle Group): Consortium Management Group Db3, LLC (Fka The Daschle Group): General Dynamics Db3, LLC (Fka The Daschle Group): Icd Group Db3, LLC (Fka The Daschle Group): Martin Baker Aircraft Co., Ltd. Db3, LLC (Fka The Daschle Group): Micro-X, Inc. Db3, LLC (Fka The Daschle Group): Nextflex Db3, LLC (Fka The Daschle Group): Pmb Defense Db3, LLC (Fka The Daschle Group): Prichard Water Works & Sewer Board Db3, LLC (Fka The Daschle Group): Rails-To-Trails Conservancy Db3, LLC (Fka The Daschle Group): Seven States Power Corporation Db3, LLC (Fka The Daschle Group): World Forestry Center Delta Development Group, Inc.: Alleghany College Public Funding - Alic Delta Development Group, Inc.: Rio Hondo College/ Lincoln Concepts Dgsr LLC: Patriot Voices Dla Piper LLP (US): Aerovironment, Inc. Dorsey & Whitney LLP: Campbell Scientific Eis Solutions: Arizona Rock Products Association Eis Solutions: Axon Enterprise, Inc. Eis Solutions: Highland Digital Eis Solutions: University Of Arizona Elevate Government Affairs, LLC: No Surprise Bill, LLC Enact Consulting, LLC: Drug Policy Alliance Foley & Lardner LLP: Cgi Federal Foley & Lardner LLP: Coherus Biosciences Foley & Lardner LLP: Kern County Medical Foley & Lardner LLP: Knowles Corporation Foresight Law + Policy Pllc: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Company Fs Vector: Smartcontract Inc. Groundswell Strategy LLC: Corn Refiners Association Groundswell Strategy LLC: Link Snacks, Inc. Groundswell Strategy LLC: National Milk Producers Federation Groundswell Strategy LLC: Regenified Guidepoststrategies, LLC: Lithium Americas Corp. Guidepoststrategies, LLC: Whirlpool Corporation Hbw Resources: Jicarilla Apache Nation Health Equality Campaign Inc.: Health Equality Campaign Inc. Icebreaker Strategies, LLC: Health Supply US Invoke LLC: Adyton Pbc Inc J.A. Green And Company: Gartner, Inc. J.A. Green And Company: Westwin Elements James P. Keese: National Organization Of Rare Disorders, Inc Javelin Advisors LLC: Logical Strategies LLC Jeffrey J. Kimbell & Associates, Inc.: Microtransponder Jim Massie & Partners, LLC: Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. Jim Massie & Partners, LLC: Lower Colorado River Authority J M Burkman & Associates: Aclipse Therapeutics Kelley Drye & Warren LLP: Pet Resin Coalition (Informal Coalition) Kiley & Associates: Coachella Valley Public Cemetery District Kiley & Associates: Resource Conservation District Of Tehama County Lilette Advisors: Apple Inc. Lne Group: Hatfield-Mccoy Regional Recreational Authority Mcallister & Quinn, LLC: Frontier Pharmaceuticals Mcguirewoods Consulting (A Subsidiary Of Mcguirewoods LLP): Prime Healthcare Michael R. Pawlowski: Capitol Counsel, LLC On Behalf Of Share Our Strength Monument Advocacy: Coupang Mo Strategies, Inc.: Burkhan World Investments LLC On Behalf Of Fairchild Gold Corp. Mr. Brian Kelly: Salt River Project Mr. Gregory Cohen: American Automotive Leasing Association Mr. Gregory Cohen: Truck Trailer Manufacturers Association, Inc. Ms. Elizabeth Lavach: Forward Photonics Navigators Global LLC (Formerly Dc Navigators, LLC): Agua Caliente Band Of Cahuilla Indians Navigators Global LLC (Formerly Dc Navigators, LLC): Akwesasne Convenience Store Association Navigators Global LLC (Formerly Dc Navigators, LLC): Celonis, Inc. Navigators Global LLC (Formerly Dc Navigators, LLC): Covington & Burling LLP On Behalf Of The Shortwave Modernization Coalition Navigators Global LLC (Formerly Dc Navigators, LLC): Csi Aviation Inc. Navigators Global LLC (Formerly Dc Navigators, LLC): Niocorp Developments Ltd Navigators Global LLC (Formerly Dc Navigators, LLC): Shi International Corp. Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough: Viasat, Inc. New Front Strategies Group, LLC: Absorbits, Inc. Dba Dryout Onmessage Public Strategies: International Legal Finance Association Onmessage Public Strategies: Press Ganey Associates LLC Pirelli Tire LLC: Pirelli Tire LLC Porter Group, LLC: Mark Iv Capital Prime Policy Group: Seneca Nation Of Indians S2R, LLC: Cencore Group Second Curve Strategies LLC: Montana Renewables, LLC Second Curve Strategies LLC: Woodside Energy Sobba Public, LLC: Crossover Markets Group, Inc Squire Patton Boggs: Consumer Healthcare Products Association Standard Chartered Bank: Standard Chartered Bank Tarplin, Downs & Young, LLC: American College Of Physicians Tarplin, Downs & Young, LLC: Local Health Plans Of California Tarplin, Downs & Young, LLC: Mathematica, Inc Tarplin, Downs & Young, LLC: National Association Of Accountable Care Organizations Tarplin, Downs & Young, LLC: Priority On Demand Tarplin, Downs & Young, LLC: Whoop Tenagrity Solutions, LLC: Emit Corporation The Artemis Group, LLC (Oklahoma): Ansys, Inc. The Bishop Consulting Group: Croplife America The Vogel Group: Aircraft Transport Service (Ats) The Vogel Group: Myland Company, Inc. The Vogel Group: Plz Corp The Vogel Group: Tabletrust Brands, LLC Todd Strategy Group: Insulet Corporation Todd Strategy Group: Ncta - The Internet & Television Association Todd Strategy Group: Valisure Todd Strategy Group: Wine & Spirits Wholesalers Of America Venable LLP: Cvp Corporation Victory Coalition Strategies LLC: Fahmy Hudome Intl., Inc. On Behalf Of Human Rights And Democracy Foundation Victory Coalition Strategies LLC: Fahmy Hudome Intl., Inc. On Behalf Of Richard Scrushy Victory Coalition Strategies LLC: Fahmy Hudome Intl., Inc. On Behalf Of The Population Council Victory Coalition Strategies LLC: Fahmy Hudome Intl., Inc. On Behalf Of The W Investor Group (Fka Veratis Limited) Victory Coalition Strategies LLC: Fahmy Hudome Intl., Inc. On Behalf Of Wellspring Capital Group Washington Navigators: Aero-Flite, Inc. New Lobbying Terminations Acg Advocacy: Ambac Assurance Corporation Acg Advocacy: Common Sense Media Acg Advocacy: Team Placement Incorporated Actum I, LLC: Board Of Regents Of The University Of Oklahoma Ajw, Inc.: Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. Ajw, Inc.: International Liquid Terminal Association Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld: Attentive Mobile, Inc. Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld: Black Moon Energy Corporation Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld: Center For Sportfishing Policy Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld: Central Romana Corporation, Ltd. Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld: Dronedeploy Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld: Fortenova Grupa D.D. Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld: Jcb Inc. Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld: Lion Elastomers, LLC Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld: Sustana Group Inc. Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld: The United States Fund For Unicef Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld: US Chamber Of Commerce Alcalde & Fay: Midwest Refrigerants LLC Alston & Bird LLP: Tivity Health, Inc. American Defense International, Inc.: Homeplate Solutions Group, Inc. American Defense International, Inc.: Limestone University American Defense International, Inc.: Skyfi Arentfox Schiff LLP: American Pharmacy Cooperative, Inc. Arentfox Schiff LLP: Monday Properties Arentfox Schiff LLP: Woodward Pharma Services LLC Assurant, Inc.: Assurant Inc Avenue Solutions: Omeros Corporation Avoq, LLC: Enstructure LLC Avoq, LLC: Epic Games, Inc. Avoq, LLC: Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. Avoq, LLC: Samsung Electronics America, Inc. Axadvocacy Government Relations: Professional Hospital Guaynabo Backstop Strategies, LLC: The Fideo Group, LLC Ballard Partners: Brain Aneurysm Foundation Ballard Partners: Fmg Procurement Services Pty Ltd Ballard Partners: Jacksonville Port Authority (Previously Through Alcalde & Fay) Ballard Partners: Servicenow, Inc. Banner Public Affairs, LLC: Carbon Advocacy Project Banner Public Affairs, LLC: First Bank Of The Lake Banner Public Affairs, LLC: Nerdy Inc. (Formerly Known As Varsity Tutors LLC) Batie & Associates, LLC: Coinbase Global, Inc. Batie & Associates, LLC: Dignitymoves Batie & Associates, LLC: Project On Predatory Student Lending Bgr Government Affairs: Biomerieux, Inc. Bgr Government Affairs: Embassy Of The Republic Of Azerbaijan Black Diamond Strategies LLC: Cintra US Blue Ridge Law & Policy, P.C.: Securitize, Inc. Bose Public Affairs Group: Pennsylvania School Boards Association Boundary Stone Partners: 280 Earth Boundary Stone Partners: Epc Power Boundary Stone Partners: Equatic Tech Boundary Stone Partners: Harbinger Motors Inc. Boundary Stone Partners: Natron Energy Boundary Stone Partners: Terawatt Infrastructure Boundary Stone Partners: The Coalition For Reimagined Mobility, A Project Of Safe Bracewell LLP: Cessation Therapeutics Bracewell LLP: Energy Vault Bracewell LLP: Range Resources Corporation Bracewell LLP: Steel Reef Infrastructure Corp Bracewell LLP: Yuga Labs, Inc. Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP: Dialysis Clinic, Inc. Capitol Alliance Group, Inc: Redwire Space Capitol Alliance Group, Inc: Space Exploration Technologies Corp Capitol Counsel LLC: California Dental Association Capitol Counsel LLC: Food Fix Campaign Action, Inc. Capitol Counsel LLC: Physicians Advocacy Institute C.A.R. Consulting Services: Alliance For America'S Promise, Inc. C.A.R. Consulting Services: Food Fix Campaign Action Inc (F/K/A Food Fix Campaign) C.A.R. Consulting Services: Liberty Partners Group O/B/O Aptqi-Hschein-Pds-Santafe-Sound-Rccs-Afhc-Wellvana Carpi & Clay, Inc: City Of Vista Carpi & Clay, Inc: Women'S Transportation Seminar Cassidy & Associates, Inc.: Fortescue Future Industries Center Road Solutions: Debbie Haine Center Road Solutions: Georgetown University Cgcn Group, LLC: Hazmat Tsdf Inc Cgcn Group, LLC: Investment Company Institute Cj Lake, LLC: Hb Strategies (Formerly Husch Blackwell Strategies) Obo County Of Merced Clark Hill Public Strategies LLC: Employ, Inc. Co2Efficient LLC: Digital Climate Alliance Colton Street Group: Harbinger Strategies, LLC On Behalf Of Cencora, Inc. Colton Street Group: Harbinger Strategies, LLC On Behalf Of Hilton Worldwide Colton Street Group: Harbinger Strategies, LLC On Behalf Of Principal Financial Group Commonwealth Research Associates, LLC: Atlanta Regional Commission Confluence Government Relations: Linde, Inc. Continental Strategy, LLC: Honduras Prospera Inc Continental Strategy, LLC: Ses Corporation Continental Strategy, LLC: The Gb Group S.A. Continental Strategy, LLC: Vorex LLC Corcoran & Associates, Inc. Dba Corcoran Partners: Vaya Space, Inc. Covington & Burling LLP: Bp America, Inc. Crowell & Moring LLP: 21 Air, LLC Crowell & Moring LLP: Cresco Labs Crowell & Moring LLP: Lonza Group Ag Crowell & Moring LLP: Sonova USa, Inc. Debrunner & Associates, Inc.: Jefferson Health - Northeast (Formerly Known As Aria Health) Dga Group Government Relations LLC: Cencora Inc. (Formerly Known As Amerisourcebergen) Dga Group Government Relations LLC: Nlx Railroad Dga Group Government Relations LLC: Prologium Dga Group Government Relations LLC: Supernal Dinino Associates, LLC: Cornerstone Government Affairs Obo Heliogen Holdings, Inc. Dinino Associates, LLC: Cornerstone Government Affairs Obo Yayasan Berbakti Semangat Indonesia Dla Piper LLP (US): Adp LLC Dla Piper LLP (US): Astroscale U.S., Inc. Dla Piper LLP (US): Aura Sub, LLC Dla Piper LLP (US): Bluehalo Corporation Dla Piper LLP (US): Independent Fuel Terminal Operators Association Dla Piper LLP (US): Rtx Corporation And Affiliates Dla Piper LLP (US): University Of St. Augustine For Health Sciences Echelon Government Affairs: Reciprocity Health Elevate Government Affairs, LLC: City Of Moses Lake Elevate Government Affairs, LLC: Cooley, LLP On Behalf Of East Hampton Elevate Government Affairs, LLC: Ssab Enterprises, LLC Elevate Government Affairs, LLC: The Donohoe Companies, Inc. Farragut Partners LLP: Live Nation Entertainment Federal Hall Policy Advisors, LLC: Bipartisan Policy Center Action Federal Hall Policy Advisors, LLC: Mr. Cooper Federal Hall Policy Advisors, LLC: San Diego Housing Commission Federal Hall Policy Advisors, LLC: U.S. Mortgage Insurers Fierce Government Relations: Information Technology Industry Council Fierce Government Relations: Moorehouse School Of Medicine Fierce Government Relations: Oracle Corporation Fierce Government Relations: Traeger Pellet Grills, LLC Fierce Government Relations: Tsmc Arizona Forward Global: Economic Innovation Group Forward Global: Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association Frost Brown Todd LLC: Armr Sciences Frost Brown Todd LLC: Law Enforcement Against Drugs (L.E.A.D.) Frost Brown Todd LLC: Northwest Registered Agent Fs Vector: Audenzia Advisors LLC Fs Vector: Sf Operations, Inc Galileo Consulting Group, Inc.: Sonosite, A Subsidiary Of Fujifilm (Formerly Sonosite, Inc.) Geoffrey P. Gray: Consumer Data Industry Association Gephardt Group Government Affairs: Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld (On Behalf Of Nippon Steel Corporation) Golden Group, LLC: Burnbot, Inc. Green Mountain Strategies LLC Dc: Compassus Hb Strategies: Advanced Thermovoltaic Systems Inc. (Formerly Berken Energy LLC) Health And Medicine Counsel: Pf Carrus Careers, LLC Hill East Group, LLC: Northeast Uas Airspace Integration Research Alliance, Inc. J.A. Green And Company: Adaptive Surface Technologies, Inc. J.A. Green And Company: Biolargo, Inc J.A. Green And Company: Consortium Management Group J.A. Green And Company: Deepsig Inc. J.A. Green And Company: Meta Logic Corporation J.A. Green And Company: Westwin Elements Jenner & Block LLP: County Of San Bernardino Jim Massie & Partners, LLC: Biotechnology Innovation Organization (Bio) John Napier: Burroughs And Chapin Company Inc Jose Fuentes: Empresas Fonalledas, Inc. Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton: Danimer Scientific Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton: Freeman Capital King & Spalding LLP: Amarin Pharma, Inc. King & Spalding LLP: Atara Biotherapeutics, Inc. King & Spalding LLP: Becton, Dickinson And Company King & Spalding LLP: Bone Growth Stimulator Coalition (Informal Coalition) King & Spalding LLP: Solace Health King & Spalding LLP: United Cdpap, Inc. Klein/Johnson Group: Metropolitan New York Coordinating Council On Jewish Poverty K&L Gates, LLP: Equinix, Inc. Liberty Partners Group, LLC: Bayada Hearts For Home Care, Inc. (Fka Bayada Home Health Care) Lne Group: Discovery Therapeutics Caribe Lykos Therapeutics: Lykos Therapeutics Mcallister & Quinn, LLC: Chautauqua Institution Mcallister & Quinn, LLC: Japanese American National Museum Mccaulley&Company: Lorain County Agricultural Society Mcguirewoods Consulting (A Subsidiary Of Mcguirewoods LLP): Henrico County Economic Development Authority, Virginia Mcguirewoods Consulting (A Subsidiary Of Mcguirewoods LLP): Perdue Foods LLC Mcguirewoods Consulting (A Subsidiary Of Mcguirewoods LLP): Village Of Evergreen Park Mclarty Inbound LLC: Maha Energy Md Eastport Strategies LLC: Puerto Rico Statehood Council Mehlman Consulting, Inc.: Intuit, Inc. And Affiliates Meyers And Associates: Aker Arctic Oy Michael Best Strategies LLC: Adobe Michael Best Strategies LLC: Cais Af (Center For Ai Safety Action Fund) Michael Best Strategies LLC: Colosseum Rare Metals, Inc. Miller Strategies, LLC: Andretti Formula Racing LLC Miller Strategies, LLC: Drw Holdings, LLC Monument Advocacy: Bipartisan Policy Center Action Monument Advocacy: Monolith Materials Moran Global Strategies, Inc.: Global Heritage Alliance Moran Global Strategies, Inc.: Ideal Innovations Incorporated Ms. Erin Moffet: The Liaison Group On Behalf Of The National Cannabis Roundtable Navigators Global LLC (Formerly Dc Navigators, LLC): Boston Engineering Corporation Navigators Global LLC (Formerly Dc Navigators, LLC): Klas Government, Inc. Navigators Global LLC (Formerly Dc Navigators, LLC): Seminole Nation Of Oklahoma Navigators Global LLC (Formerly Dc Navigators, LLC): Unleash Prosperity, Inc. Nawar Strategy: Americas Voice Nawar Strategy: Casa, Inc. Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough: Inmarsat D/B/A Inmarsat Aviation Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough: Tidelands Health O'Neill And Associates: Caribbean Connections Equitable Research O'Neill And Associates: Educational Partners International O'Neill And Associates: Sublime Systems Open Society Action Fund: Open Society Action Fund Passage Consulting Group LLC: Computer Access Technologies, LLC Passage Consulting Group LLC: Mcwane, Inc Passage Consulting Group LLC: Olin Corporation Passage Consulting Group LLC: Reliable Robotics Corporation Passage Consulting Group LLC: Spartan Corp. Passage Consulting Group LLC: Tamarack Aerospace Group Perry, White, Ross & Jacobson, LLC: B&O Railroad Museum Perry, White, Ross & Jacobson, LLC: Firstenergy Perry, White, Ross & Jacobson, LLC: Firstenergy Peyser Associates LLC: Hudson Yards Gen-Par, LLC Peyser Associates LLC: Trifiletti Consulting On Behalf Of City Of Inglewood, Ca Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP: Rivulis North America Porterfield, Fettig & Sears, LLC: Workiva, Inc. Portfolio Strategies LLC: Burd Health LLC Primacy Strategy Group: Alliant Insurance Services, Inc. (Fka Allianz Insurance Services, Inc.) Randall Davis Associates LLC: Bp America, Inc. Reyes Kurson Ltd.: Insight Institute Of Neurosurgery & Neuroscience Reyes Kurson Ltd.: Vantage Specialty Chemicals Ricchetti Incorporated: Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. Roberti Global (F/K/A Roberti White, LLC): General Motors, LLC Roberti Global (F/K/A Roberti White, LLC): Green Lowe Gsa Roberti Global (F/K/A Roberti White, LLC): Performance Based Building Coalition Roberti Global (F/K/A Roberti White, LLC): Tracfone Wireless, Inc. Roberti Global (F/K/A Roberti White, LLC): United Safety Technology Inc. Rowland Strategy Group LLC: American Property & Casualty Insurance Association Rubin, Turnbull & Associates: Astrawatt Solar Rubin, Turnbull & Associates: Mastec, Inc. Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A.: Expoflores Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A.: Provefrut Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A.: Syscend, Inc Dba Guardian Bikes Saxa Innovation LLC: Microsurgeonbot Inc. Dba Seward Square Group: Rite Aid Corporation Sexuality Information And Education Council Of The United States (Siecus): Sexuality Information And Education Council Of The United States (Siecus) Sideprize LLC D/B/A Prizepicks: Sideprize LLC D/B/A Prizepicks Smithbucklin Corporation: National Certification Commission For Acupuncture And Oriental Medicine Smith Garson Fka Smith Dawson & Andrews: 6K, Inc. Smith Garson Fka Smith Dawson & Andrews: E-Com 9-1-1 Dispatch Center Spark Therapeutics, Inc.: Spark Therapeutics, Inc. Stanton Park Group: Vertical Health Services Stellar Development Foundation: Stellar Development Foundation Steptoe LLP: Aquestive Therapeutics, Inc. Steptoe LLP: Exxonmobil Steptoe LLP: Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. Steptoe LLP: Xb Fulfillment Sullivan Strategies LLC (Fka Sb Capitol Solutions): Skysafe, Inc Tai Ginsberg & Associates, LLC: City Of Lockport, Il The Artemis Group, LLC (Oklahoma): Choctaw Nation Of Oklahoma The Artemis Group, LLC (Oklahoma): Special Aerospace Services (Sas) The Bishop Consulting Group: Croplife America The Duberstein Group Inc.: Bp America Inc The Vogel Group: Cormint Data Systems The Vogel Group: Magma Power LLC The Vogel Group: Mitsubishi Electric US, Inc. Thompson Coburn LLP: Invest America Ventures, Inc. Thompson Consulting Group: Northwest Marine Technologies Tiber Creek Group: Biotechnology Innovation Organization (Bio) Tonio Burgos & Associates, Inc.: Twin Rivers Paper Company Townsend Public Affairs: Beaumont-Cherry Valley Water District Van Ness Feldman, LLP: Little Pine Island Limited Partnership Victory Coalition Strategies LLC: Fahmy Hudome Intl., Inc. On Behalf Of Human Rights And Democracy Foundation Victory Coalition Strategies LLC: Fahmy Hudome Intl., Inc. On Behalf Of The W Investor Group (Fka Veratis Limited) Victory Coalition Strategies LLC: Fahmy Hudome Intl., Inc. On Behalf Of Wellspring Capital Group Washington Navigators: Valparaiso University Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale And Dorr LLP: Kia Corporation (Formerly Known As Kia Motors Corporation)
Politico
21-07-2025
- Business
- Politico
FS Vector lobbyist jumps into Georgia House primary
With Daniel Lippman FIRST IN PI: The crowded Democratic primary to unseat longtime Georgia Rep. David Scott just gained a new contender who hails from K Street. Pierre Whatley, a former Democratic Hill aide who now works as a principal at the financial services-focused lobbying firm FS Vector, filed paperwork over the weekend to run for the safe blue seat in east metro Atlanta. He will launch his campaign officially tomorrow. — Whatley joins eight other Democrats challenging the 80-year-old, 12-term incumbent, who lost his post as the top Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee last year amid concerns about his health and a wider Democratic reckoning over age. — Whatley joined FS Vector in 2021 after working for the House Financial Services Committee and as an economic policy aide to Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.). His lobbying clients last quarter included Navy Federal Credit Union, Intuit, the Investment Company Institute, the Digital Energy Council, Stellar Development Foundation and Citizens Bank, according to disclosure filings. Whatley also works for the Free Speech Coalition, a trade group representing the adult entertainment industry that was at the center of this year's Supreme Court case challenging Texas' age restrictions on porn sites. — Whatley told PI he joined the race because, while he respects Scott and has worked with him on the Hill, it's 'time for more engaged, more present leadership' in Washington. 'I think there's a duty of service to do more [for the community] when it's such a safe blue seat,' he said. — Whatley argued that his understanding of how Congress works as a former Hill staffer distinguishes him from the other challengers. He said he won't hide from his work as a lobbyist. — 'Everyone deserves an advocate, No. 1,' he said. But Whatley also defended his clients as entities helping underrepresented communities — whether they're racial minorities, small businesses or those working in the adult entertainment industry — maintain access to financial services. — Before his time on the Hill, Whatley also worked for Deloitte, Buckley Sandler, the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, the CFPB and the SEC. — Whatley isn't the only K Streeter with an eye on joining Congress. Zoe Cadore, a former director of federal and regulatory affairs for energy company Calpine, announced a run this year for the Houston-area seat opened up by the death of Democratic Rep. Sylvester Turner in March. Happy Monday and welcome to PI. What are you watching for in tonight's LDA filing deadline? Add me on Signal at caitlinoprysko.17, email me at coprysko@ and be sure to follow me on X: @caitlinoprysko. WHAT WALL STREET IS READING: 'In late January, the CEO of the pro-business American Legislative Exchange Council told right-wing operatives and officials that they need a 'scalp' from one of two supposedly woke CEOs of major Wall Street firms,' per Rolling Stone's Lauren Windsor. — 'Lisa Nelson, who leads ALEC, was discussing Larry Fink of BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager, and Brian Moynihan of Bank of America, the second largest bank in the country. She appeared to be speaking metaphorically, as she struggled to refer to an unknown movie. Nelson made the comments at the Consumers' Research Summit in Sea Island, Georgia' from which Rolling Stone obtained audio and documents. — 'Nelson noted she had spoken about this at breakfast. 'Whether it's Larry Fink or Brian Moynihan, we have got to take one of these guys out,' she said, presumably another metaphor. She added, 'Brian Moynihan is the guy, or Larry Fink is the guy that we should have their scalp.'' — 'ALEC is a powerful 'bill mill' that brings corporations, conservative advocates, and state legislators together to hash out right-wing, pro-business legislation that is then introduced nationwide, with a focus on red states.' — While the organization doesn't disclose a full list of its members (or its donors), ALEC's Private Enterprise Advisory Council includes operatives with ties to Leonard Leo as well as executives from the American Bankers Association and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Bank of America cut ties with ALEC in 2012, but a source told Rolling Stone that the bank was represented at ALEC's annual meeting last week. A spokesperson for ALEC declined to comment on Nelson's remarks, while a BlackRock spokesperson defended the company. MORE CROWELL LOBBYISTS JOIN BROWNSTEIN: Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck has hired away three more members of Crowell & Moring's government affairs practice after bagging half a dozen of the firm's lobbyists earlier this month, including the former head of Crowell's lobbying shop, Jim Flood. — Energy and environmental lobbyist Tracy Tolk is coming over to Brownstein as a policy director, while health care experts Tim Shadyac and Stephen Holland are joining the firm as a senior policy adviser and senior counsel, respectively. — Tolk previously spent 16 years at Van Ness Feldman before moving to Crowell, and is a Jay Inslee and Jim Davis alum. Shadyac was a lobbyist for Avalere Health and Sanofi before joining Crowell, while Holland previously spent more than a decade on the Hill, including as senior health counsel for the House Energy and Commerce Committee. SIGNAL GROUP DECODES CONSERVATIVE MEDIA: Signal Group is building out its resources for helping clients break through a fractured media environment in the age of Donald Trump with a new service focused on paid media campaigns in conservative media. — 'The world of conservative media, especially conservative opinion, is complex and vast,' Signal's Rob Bole writes in a new tipsheet on the topic, with 'dozens of viable radio programs, hundreds of relevant podcasts, and thousands of video commentators and social influencers with significant audiences' that clients can use to reach key decisionmakers with their messages. — 'We are living through a moment in time where effective paid media and messaging tactics are integral to break through the noise, reach new audiences, communicate concisely with clarity, and drive real change in Washington,' Bole, who leads Signal Group's innovation and strategy teams, said in a statement. The new offering builds off a master conservative media map and master conservative messaging guide Signal Group released earlier this year. — Signal has also added a slate of new staffers, including bringing on Allison Kimble as senior vice president of digital. Kimble previously led digital strategy and content creation at Weber Shandwick and Rational 360. The firm has also added Emmy Keene as creative content manager, Preethi Murthy as health care manager and Rachel Martin as health care senior associate and promoted Mary Lieb to director. PHRMA ADDS 4: PhRMA's public affairs team has added Elise Shutzer as vice president, Mark Allen as deputy vice president, Cait DeBaun as chief of staff and Kristen Booze as senior director. Shutzer was previously at ExxonMobil, Allen was previously at Purple Strategies, DeBaun was previously at the American Beverage Association and Booze was previously at FDA. A SHOT ACROSS THE BOW: 'For decades, the prices Medicare pays doctors for different medical services have been largely decided not by Medicare itself, but by a powerful industry group, the American Medical Association,' The New York Times' Reed Abelson and Margot Sanger-Katz write. — 'And for decades, critics have complained that this process unfairly rewards surgeons and other specialists, at the expense of primary care physicians and other generalists. … But a change buried inside a 1,803-page proposed regulation published last Monday suggests the Trump administration would like to move away from this longstanding system. If finalized, it could begin overturning a process that has entrenched pay advantages for certain kinds of doctors.' — The proposal, which a CMS official told the Times would improve Medicare 'by correcting outdated assumptions,' has already sparked backlash from the AMA, which said it would 'ultimately harm patients.' BUTLER'S NEW CLIENT: 'Former Sen. Laphonza Butler is now advising OpenAI, her first known client since the California Democrat left Congress and landed at the global public affairs firm Actum,' POLITICO's Christine Mui reports. — 'Tapped by Gov. Gavin Newsom to fill the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein's seat, Butler served just over a year in the Senate to complete the term before returning to her roots as a behind-the-scenes power broker and becoming a partner at Actum. The California Democrat is barred from lobbying for a year as a former member of Congress.' — 'It's not clear what issues Butler will be providing guidance on for the AI developer,' but the former labor leader and EMILY's List head's work with OpenAI comes as the firm 'is facing an inflection point in its plans for future growth, hoping contentious changes to a more conventional corporate structure will help the company raise money to keep ahead of cash-slinging competitors.' This isn't Butler's first time advising a tech startup, having previously consulted for Uber and Airbnb at the California firm now known as Bearstar Strategies. IN MEMORIAM: Ed Feulner, a founder, trustee and the longest serving president of The Heritage Foundation, has died, Heritage President Kevin Roberts announced. After founding the organization in 1973, Feulner served as president for 37 years, and 'what started as a small outpost for conservative ideas became — under Ed's tireless leadership — the intellectual arsenal for the Reagan Revolution and the modern conservative movement,' Roberts said in a statement, adding: 'His legacy is not just the institution he built, but the movement he helped grow — a movement rooted in faith, family, freedom, and the founding.' Jobs report — Ashley Simmons has been named vice president of policy and external affairs at PrePass Safety Alliance. Previously, she served as deputy director of the Coalition for Reimagined Mobility at the SAFE Foundation. — David Johnson has joined Holtzman Vogel as partner in the D.C. office. He previously served as policy director and general counsel at the Republican Attorneys General Association. — Fernando Brigidi De Mello is now senior campaign strategist for ACLU's new Abuse of Power team. He was previously with Vice President Kamala Harris' White House office and 2024 campaign, and is a Pete Buttigieg alum. — Loughlin Cleary has rejoined the Independent Community Bankers of America as executive vice president for member relations. He most recently was president and national sales director for Lenders Cooperative. — Kristin Ford is now vice president for global strategy and engagement and professor of practice at Arizona State University. She previously was president and CEO of IREX. — Evan Sekeris and Daniel Grodzicki are both joining the Bank Policy Institute as senior vice president and senior economist and Laurie Bristow is joining as a vice president and research associate. Sekeris was most recently at Capital One, Grodzicki was most recently at the Federal Housing Finance Agency and Bristow was most recently with the Reserve Bank of Australia. — Morgan Adamski has joined PwC as a U.S. leader in its cyber, data and technology risk business. She previously was executive director and the highest-ranking civilian at U.S. Cyber Command. — Kara Lynum has launched KML Strategies, a law firm helping other firms, organizations, and individuals navigate immigration policy changes. Lynum previously served as the DHS' acting general counsel and deputy general counsel and is a Senate Judiciary Committee alum. — Frank Micciche is now vice president of health at the Bipartisan Policy Center. He previously was a senior adviser at the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. — Adham Sahloul is now senior adviser and coordinator of the newly launched North Star Policy Initiative. Sahloul previously was a special adviser at the Pentagon and USAID under President Joe Biden. — Frederick Bell is joining the Center for American Progress as associate director of state climate policy. He most recently served as state director for the Delaware Democratic Coordinated Campaign during the 2024 cycle and was also a Climatebase fellow, focusing on the intersection of venture capital, democracy, and climate solutions. New Joint Fundraisers None. New PACs Accountable Care PAC (Hybrid PAC) Fight PAC (Leadership PAC: Elizabeth Warren) FRIENDS OF MARY JANE (PAC) InkIt, Inc Political Action Committee (PAC) MIMS (PAC) The Ninth Project (Super PAC) Schneider Electric USA, Inc. PAC (Schneider Electric USA PAC) (PAC) New Lobbying REGISTRATIONS Alston & Bird LLP: Biomerieux, Inc. Amelia Kegan: C Street American Defense International: Almonty Industries American Defense International: Autocar LLC American Defense International: Bitdeer Technologies Group American Defense International: Code Metal, Inc. American Defense International: Kerecis, LLC American Defense International: Kfi Engineering, Pc American Defense International: Onmed LLC American Defense International: Tectraum Inc. American Defense International: The Lincoln Electric Company Atlas Crossing LLC: National Drug And Alcohol Screening Association Atlas Crossing LLC: Novozymes North America Inc. Atrio Consulting Group, LLC: Teladoc Health, Inc. Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz /The Daschle Group: Bwc Consulting (On Behalf Of Moca Financial, Inc.) Ballard Partners: Ntt Data Services Federal Government, LLC Ballard Partners: Suffolk Construction Boundary Stone Partners: The Nuclear Company Brian Glackin & Associates LLC: Capitol Advocacy & Government Affairs, LLC (On Behalf Of Sensus Healthcare) Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP: Spector Roseman & Kodroff, P.C. Capitaledge Strategies, LLC: Borough Of Metuchen Carpi & Clay, Inc: Transportation Corridor Agencies Catalyst Global Strategies, LLC: The Roosevelt Group (On Behalf Of Nova Minerals Limited) Dla Piper LLP (US): California Apartment Association Dla Piper LLP (US): Head Start California Easterseals New Jersey: Eastereals New Jersey Elevate Government Affairs, LLC: Piasecki Aircraft Corporation Elizabeth Murphy: Weston A. Price Foundation Forbes-Tate: Register America Gregory Cohen: American Automotive Leasing Association Gregory Cohen: Truck Trailer Manufacturers Association, Inc. Guidepoststrategies, LLC: Ge Precision Healthcare, LLC Heartflow, Inc.: Heartflow, Inc. Jeffrey J. Kimbell & Associates, Inc.: Avita Medical, Inc. Jeffrey J. Kimbell & Associates, Inc.: Capricor K&L Gates, LLP: Mackinac Technology Company La28: La28 Linchpin Strategies, LLC: California Head Start Association (Aka Head Start California) Linchpin Strategies, LLC: Charter School Lenders Coalition (Informal Coalition) Marcus G. Faust, Pc: Central Valley Water Reclamation Facility Marcus G. Faust, Pc: Estuary Development Partners LLC Mccarter & English, LLP: Delfin Lng, LLC Mccarter & English, LLP: Veregy Mo Strategies, Inc.: Stonington Global, LLC On Behalf Of Akkuyu Nuclear Jsc Ms. Elizabeth Lavach: Babylon Telecommunications, Inc. Dba Babtel Northern Compass Group LLC: Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck LLP Obo Chspsc LLC Northern Compass Group LLC: Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck LLP Obo Tenet Business Services Corporation Nvg, LLC: The Food Trust Onmessage Public Strategies: New Pco Ii Investments Ltd. Owen Evans Ingols: Federation Of Electric Power Companies Of Japan Phronesisdc, LLC: Electronic Payments Coalition Porterfield, Fettig & Sears, LLC: Children'S Hospital Association Porterfield, Fettig & Sears, LLC: H&R Block Porterfield, Fettig & Sears, LLC: Pello Companies Portland State University: Portland State University Primacy Strategy Group: Grand Rapids Economic Development Authority Puzzle Box Government Relations: Avalanche Energy Puzzle Box Government Relations: Stoke Space Ragnar Group LLC: Chukchansi Tribe Ragnar Group LLC: Colusa Indian Energy Ragnar Group LLC: Cook Inlet Tribal Council Ragnar Group LLC: Trafigura Pte Ltd Robertson, Monagle & Eastaugh LLC (Fka Robertson, Monagle & Eastaugh Pc): Institue For Cetacean Research Robertson, Monagle & Eastaugh LLC (Fka Robertson, Monagle & Eastaugh Pc): Opes Oceani LLC Sobba Public, LLC: Citizens For Responsible Energy Policy Stapleton & Associates, LLC: Bg Workforce Steptoe LLP: Therabody, Inc. Stinson LLP: Axle Of Dearborn Inc. Stinson LLP: Rwr1911, LLC St Shared Services LLC Dba Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals: St Shared Services LLC Dba Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals Summit Strategies Government Affairs LLC: Council Of Infrastructure Financing Authorities (Cifa) Summit Strategies Government Affairs LLC: National Utility Contractors Association (Nuca The Ferguson Group, LLC: Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority (Enmwua) Tiber Creek Group: Coalition For International Broadcasting Torridon Law Pllc: Barry Road LLC Townsend Public Affairs: City Of Coalinga Townsend Public Affairs: Monterey County Regional Fire District Townsend Public Affairs: Santa Clarita Community College District Varyag LLC: Aintel Victory Coalition Strategies LLC: Orion Power New Lobbying Terminations A10 Associates, LLC: Americus Energy LLC A10 Associates, LLC: Blackteal Energy A10 Associates, LLC: Cambridge College A10 Associates, LLC: Carbon Rivers, Inc. A10 Associates, LLC: Cleanlight A10 Associates, LLC: Edgeenergy A10 Associates, LLC: E-Force Marine A10 Associates, LLC: Flamingo Air, Inc. A10 Associates, LLC: Greyscan Australia Pty Ltd. A10 Associates, LLC: Indigov Corporation A10 Associates, LLC: Knobelsdorff Enterprises, Inc. A10 Associates, LLC: Lemma Holdings Inc. A10 Associates, LLC: Momentum Charter Solutions Inc. A10 Associates, LLC: Salisbury Beach Partnership A10 Associates, LLC: Solartech Energy Systems, Inc. A10 Associates, LLC: Wndr Global, Inc. Actum I, LLC: Caredx, Inc. Akerman LLP: Port Of Palm Beach Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld: Transportation Corridor Agencies Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld: Vision Management Services, LLC (Fka Green Thumb Industries, Inc.) Alpine Group Partners, LLC.: Council For Responsible Nutrition Alpine Group Partners, LLC.: Manageyourid Alpine Group Partners, LLC.: Nextdecade Corporation Alston & Bird LLP: Apprise Health Insights Alston & Bird LLP: Commonwealth Care Alliance American Capitol Group: Specialist Direct American Defense International: Homeplate Solutions Group, Inc. American Defense International: Limestone University American Defense International: Skyfi Arentfox Schiff LLP: Holcim (US) Inc. Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP: Claros, Inc. Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP: San Francisco General Hospital Foundation Atlas Crossing LLC: R2P Innovations Axadvocacy Government Relations: Ameresco Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz /The Daschle Group: Allegiant Air, LLC Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz /The Daschle Group: Arq, Inc. Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz /The Daschle Group: Assured Information Security Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz /The Daschle Group: Bush Brothers & Company Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz /The Daschle Group: Bwc Consulting (On Behalf Of Moca Financial, Inc.) Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz /The Daschle Group: Celiac Disease Foundation Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz /The Daschle Group: Centerstone Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz /The Daschle Group: Consortium Management Group Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz /The Daschle Group: Fleet Space Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz /The Daschle Group: Flextech Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz /The Daschle Group: General Dynamics Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz /The Daschle Group: Icd Group Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz /The Daschle Group: Icd Group Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz /The Daschle Group: Martin Baker Aircraft Co., Ltd. Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz /The Daschle Group: Micro-X, Inc. Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz /The Daschle Group: Pmb Defence Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz /The Daschle Group: Prichard Water Works & Sewer Board Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz /The Daschle Group: Prichard Water Works & Sewer Board Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz /The Daschle Group: Rails-To-Trails Conservancy Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz /The Daschle Group: Rails-To-Trails Conservancy Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz /The Daschle Group: Semi (Formerly Flextech Alliance) Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz /The Daschle Group: Seven States Power Corporation Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz /The Daschle Group: World Forestry Center Ballard Partners: Advance Financial Administration, LLC Ballard Partners: Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld (On Behalf Of Nippon Steel Corporation) Biscayne Strategies, LLC: Blue Missions Group Blank Rome Government Relations: Bird Advocacy And Consulting Blank Rome Government Relations: Canadian National Railway Blank Rome Government Relations: Fugro USa Marine, Inc. Bl Partners Group, LLC: Albertsons Companies, Inc. Bridge Public Affairs, LLC: One To One Health Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP: American Exploration And Production Council Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP: Itw Systems Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP: J.R. Simplot Company Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP: Kraft Heinz Foods Company Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP: Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP: Marubeni Oil & Gas (USa) Inc. Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP: Merck & Co., Inc. Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP: Norton Rose Fullbright Obo Ateliere Creative Technologies Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP: Ovintiv Inc. Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP: Valhalla Metals Inc Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney Pc: Carnegie Institute Dba Carnegie Museums Of Pittsburgh C2 Strategies: Ubiq Aerospace Capital Park Partners LLC: Beryllium Infosec, Inc. Capitol Consulting & Public Affairs LLC: California State University, Sacramento Capitol Counsel LLC: National Football League Capitoline Consulting, LLC: Marss Sam Capitol South, LLC: Food Solutions Action Cardinal Point Partners: Mosaic Life Care (Formerly Heartland Health) Clark Street Associates: Pacific Fusion Corporation Continental Strategy, LLC: American Beverage Association Continental Strategy, LLC: Doma Technology, LLC Corbin Strategies LLC: Zipongo, Inc. Dba Foodsmart Cornerstone Government Affairs, Inc.: Frontera Resources Corporation Cornerstone Government Affairs, Inc.: The Center For Planning Excellence, Inc. Covington & Burling LLP: Bentley Systems, Incorporated Covington & Burling LLP: The Lincoln Electric Company Crossroads Strategies, LLC: Alpha Facilities Solutions, LLC Crossroads Strategies, LLC: Kohler Co. Crossroads Strategies, LLC: Novavax, Inc. Crossroads Strategies, LLC: The Phoenix Group (Tpg) Dga Group Government Relations LLC (Formerly Dentons Global Advisors Government: Cencora Inc. (Formerly Known As Amerisourcebergen) Dga Group Government Relations LLC (Formerly Dentons Global Advisors Government: Nlx Railroad Dga Group Government Relations LLC (Formerly Dentons Global Advisors Government: Prologium Diroma Eck & Co. LLP: Wave Digital Assets Holdings LLC Discover Financial Services: Discover Financial Services Empire Consulting Group: Fox Corporation Empire Consulting Group: Francis Energy Empire Consulting Group: National Association Of Broadcasters Empire Consulting Group: Transit Labs Empire Consulting Group: Wynn Resorts Development, LLC Ferox Strategies: Brooks Development Authority Findaro Associates LLC: Duckwater Shoshone Tribe Finn Strategies, LLC: Council Of Infrastructure Financing Authorities (Cifa) Foresight Law + Policy Pllc: Northwest Evaluation Association Franklin Square Group, LLC: Biofire Technologies Inc. Franklin Square Group, LLC: Linde Inc. Fti Government Affairs: Amber Semiconductor, Inc Fti Government Affairs: Mnc Capital Partners, L.P. Fti Government Affairs: Wolfspeed, Inc. Grayrobinson Pa: Accel Grayrobinson Pa: Omeros Corporation Greenberg Traurig, LLP: Mckinsey & Company Green Capitol LLC: Bio Guidepoststrategies, LLC: Applied Intuition Guidepoststrategies, LLC: Barry Road Guidepoststrategies, LLC: Caresource Guidepoststrategies, LLC: General Atomics Guidepoststrategies, LLC: Knowmadics, Inc. Guidepoststrategies, LLC: Millennium Corporation Guidepoststrategies, LLC: Novacoast, Inc. Guidepoststrategies, LLC: Nyrstar Haro Solutions LLC: Trustwell Health And Medicine Counsel: Gbs/Cidp Foundation International High Street Strategies LLC: Watershed Results LLC On Behalf Of Lpc Conservation LLC Holland & Knight LLP: Certified Financial Planner Board Of Standards, Inc. Holland & Knight LLP: Riot Platforms, Inc. (F/K/A Riot Blockchain, Inc.) Hooper, Lundy & Bookman, P.C.: Hackensack Meridian Health Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP (Formerly Hunton & Williams LLP): Phillips 66 Hwg LLP (F/K/A Harris, Wiltshire & Grannis LLP): Sonos, Inc. J.A. Green And Company (Formerly LLC): Adaptive Surface Technologies, Inc. Jeffrey J. Kimbell & Associates, Inc.: Aurion Biotech Jeffrey J. Kimbell & Associates, Inc.: Nevro Corporation Jeffrey J. Kimbell & Associates, Inc.: Spark Therapeutics, Inc. J M Burkman & Associates: Hamilton Staffing Solutions J M Burkman & Associates: Jv Rentals J M Burkman & Associates: Launchcart Kelley Drye & Warren LLP: Digital Sovereignty Alliance (Dsa) Kelley Drye & Warren LLP: Fur Commission USa Kelley Drye & Warren LLP: Manitou Americas, Inc. Kelley Drye & Warren LLP: Sncf America Inc. Kelley Drye & Warren LLP: Tron Blockchain And Dao (As Supported By Tron Tech Limited And Rainco Pte Ltd.) K&L Gates, LLP: Disa Technologies, Inc. K&L Gates, LLP: Pacificorp Energy K&L Gates, LLP: Qurate Retail Inc F/K/A Liberty Interactive Corporation Kyle House Group: Vf Corporation Law Office Of John J. Faso, P.C: Waverly Group On Behalf Of Hardwoods Specialty Products US, Lp Law Office Of John J. Faso, P.C: Waverly Group On Behalf Of Northwest Hardwoods Lot Sixteen LLC: Golden Aluminum Lot Sixteen LLC: Real Alloy Holding, LLC Manatt, Phelps, And Phillips: Guardant Health Marcus G. Faust, Pc: Abbey, Stubbs & Ford, LLC Mccarthy Strategic Solutions: Kentucky Properties Ii, LLC Mccaulley&Company: Ivory Educational Consulting Group Mcguirewoods Consulting (A Subsidiary Of Mcguirewoods LLP): Neighbors Bank Mehlman Consulting, Inc. (F/K/A Mehlman Castagnetti Rosen & Thomas, Inc.): Intuit, Inc. And Affiliates Mehlman Consulting, Inc. (F/K/A Mehlman Castagnetti Rosen & Thomas, Inc.): Meridian Governance Inc. Mike Williams Capitol Strategies LLC (F/K/A Mw Capitol Strategies LLC): American Outdoor Brands, Inc. Milne, Wiener & Shofe Global Strategies (Fka M & W Government Affairs, LLC): Adaptive Phage Therapeutics Milne, Wiener & Shofe Global Strategies (Fka M & W Government Affairs, LLC): Biomeme, Inc. Missy Edwards Strategies, LLC: Shein Technology LLC Monument Advocacy: Accolade, Inc. Monument Advocacy: Koloma Monument Advocacy: Lineage (Fka Lineage Logistics) Mr. Thomas R. H. Glass: Yellowstone Development LLC Ms. Elizabeth Lavach: Dbv Technology Ms. Tami Wahl: Mood Product Group LLC Murray, Montgomery & O'Donnell: City Of Phoenix Ogr: Cnx Resources Corporation Ogr: Southwest Key Programs Perry, Ross, White & Jacobson LLC: Firstenergy Perry, Ross, White & Jacobson LLC: Firstenergy Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP: Edf Renewable Energy Pioneer Public Affairs: Ecolectero, Inc. Plurus Strategies, LLC: American Hospital Association Plurus Strategies, LLC: Watereuse Association Putalastrategies: 2U, Inc. Putalastrategies: Pattern Energy Group Services Lp Ragnar Group LLC: Chukchansi Tribe Rbw Group, LLC: Almond Alliance Of California Rbw Group, LLC: Chenega Corporation Rbw Group, LLC: County Of Madera Rbw Group, LLC: Evidence Iq Rbw Group, LLC: Flogistix, Lp Rbw Group, LLC: Ionq, Inc. (Fka Qubitekk, Inc.) Rbw Group, LLC: Medify Air Rbw Group, LLC: Ridgecrest Regional Hospital Rbw Group, LLC: Sierra Pacific Industries Rbw Group, LLC: Silencer Central Rbw Group, LLC: Solidus Resources, LLC Rbw Group, LLC: Strata Production Company Rbw Group, LLC: Westlands Water District Rising Tide Associates: Beverly Knits Rising Tide Associates: Tedder Industries, LLC Roberti Global (Fka Roberti White, LLC): Green Lowe Gsa Roberti Global (Fka Roberti White, LLC): Performance Based Building Coalition Roberti Global (Fka Roberti White, LLC): Tracfone Wireless, Inc. Roberti Global (Fka Roberti White, LLC): United Safety Technology Inc. Rtk Consulting Group LLC: American Friends Of Notre Dame University S-3 Group: Lego Systems, Inc. Shumaker Advisors Florida, LLC: Escambia County Sidley Austin LLP: Continental Carbon Company Sidley Austin LLP: Iheart Media Smits Speidell Consulting: Strategics Consulting On Behalf Of Caldwell County, Nc Sorini, Samet & Associates, LLC: Consorcio Azucarero De Empresas Industriales (Caei) Sorini, Samet & Associates, LLC: Textile Apparel Footwear & Travel Goods Assoc Cbda F/K/A Garment Manu Assoc Cbda Steptoe LLP: Aristotle International, Inc. Steptoe LLP: Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp. (Agm) Steptoe LLP: Bakkt Holdings, Inc. Steptoe LLP: Cogent Power Inc. Steptoe LLP: Crosslake Machining, LLC Stoick Consulting, LLC: Resident Home, Inc. Strategies 360: Oceanit Foundry, LLC Strategies 360: Service Year Alliance Strategies 360: Service Year Alliance (On Behalf Of America'S Service Commissions) Strategies 360: Ulupono Initiative The Dionne Company: Stop Mprp The Dionne Company: University Of Maryland The Ferguson Group, LLC: Vallejo, Ca - City Of Thegroup Dc, LLC: Breakthrough Energy Action Thegroup Dc, LLC: Center For Policing Equity The Madison Group: Mtn (Dubai) Limited The Madison Group: Novo Nordisk Inc. The Roosevelt Group: Ita- International The Roosevelt Group: Odys Aviation The Roosevelt Group: Pose Method, Inc The Roosevelt Group: USac The Vogel Group: Carbon Geocapture Corp The Vogel Group: Evolve Bank & Trust The Vogel Group: Firearms Policy Coalition The Vogel Group: Gv Spring Hill The Vogel Group: Healthcare Supply Chain Association The Vogel Group: Hearing Industries Association The Vogel Group: Laser Shot Inc. The Vogel Group: Servpro Industries, LLC The Vogel Group: Solvay America LLC, A Member Of The Syensqo Group (Fka Solvay America, Inc.) Tiber Creek Group: Gobrands, Inc. D/B/A Gopuff Todd Strategy Group: Flexcare Van Scoyoc Associates: Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Van Scoyoc Associates: Wtw Tools LLC Venn Strategies: Welbehealth Venture Government Strategies, LLC (Fka Hobart Hallaway & Quayle Ventures, LLC): Financial Holdings Corporation Venture Government Strategies, LLC (Fka Hobart Hallaway & Quayle Ventures, LLC): Hdt Global Venture Government Strategies, LLC (Fka Hobart Hallaway & Quayle Ventures, LLC): Inkit Inc. Waller Consulting LLC: Logan County Colorado Washington2 Advocates: Mckay Healthcare And Rehabilitation Center Williams And Jensen, Pllc: American Civil Liberties Union Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale And Dorr LLP: Carbek Inc. Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale And Dorr LLP: Wow Media Network, Inc. Winning Strategies Washington: Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute Winning Strategies Washington: Privateer, Sca Winning Strategies Washington: Township Of Berkeley Heights Winning Strategies Washington: Worldbusiness Capital, Inc. Xerox Corporation: Xerox Corporation
Politico
17-07-2025
- Business
- Politico
Checkmate goes global
With Daniel Lippman FIRST IN PI: Checkmate Government Affairs is opening its first international office in Tokyo, a notable expansion for a lobbying firm that set up shop in D.C. just seven months ago. Former Japanese politician Takeo Kawamura, who served as a top adviser to a former Japanese prime minister and now works with top Japanese and Korean companies in the private sector, will be the chair of Checkmate Japan. — Entrepreneur Nicholas Eoanou will serve as CEO, working with four other staffers in the Tokyo office with backgrounds across international business and politics. — While an international expansion was always a possibility for the North Carolina-based firm — which has seen an explosion of domestic and foreign lobbying business thanks in part to its inroads with Trumpworld — it was Kawamura and his team who approached Checkmate about the idea first, according to Chris LaCivita Jr. — The expansion to a major business hub such as Tokyo enhances Checkmate's international expertise, giving the K Street newcomer a foothold from which it can better help multinational clients at a time when global trade is facing historic levels of uncertainty. It also sends a message to the firm's naysayers throughout the influence industry who doubt its staying power. — 'We're not a pop-up lobby shop that is taking advantage of our great relationships … we're more than that.' LaCivita argued. 'We're here for the long run, and we're making these kinds of business decisions to establish ourselves and offer more value for our clients. We are here to establish the new D.C.' Happy Thursday and welcome to PI, where your host is relieved that D.C.'s swampier-than-usual summer weather wasn't all in her head. Send lobbying tips: Add me on Signal at caitlinoprysko.17, email me at coprysko@ and be sure to follow me on X: @caitlinoprysko. CHIPPING AWAY: 'President Donald Trump's determination to barrel ahead with tariffs is forcing a growing number of Republican lawmakers to make an uncomfortable choice: defend the president's agenda or influential industries back home,' POLITICO's Ari Hawkins and Daniel Desrochers report. — 'The gentle, behind-the-scenes pushback, primarily in the form of group letters, is a sign of the squeeze Trump's trade agenda is putting on some Republicans.' The effort is the result of nudging from trade associations representing a variety of critical export-reliant industries that 'have concluded that direct appeals to the administration carry less weight than channeling their lobbying through Congress.' — 'It's just one example of the quiet but intense effort by business groups to rein in the Trump administration's most potentially damaging duties — particularly those Trump is considering applying on a national security basis' for 'everything from lumber to copper to semiconductors to drones.' BACKING AWAY: DOJ is expected to withdraw charges against Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) for alleged FARA violations 'after an internal debate, despite President Trump's public expressions of support for the embattled Democrat from Texas,' three people with knowledge of the situation tell The New York Times' Glenn Thrush. — Dropping the foreign agent charges against Cuellar, which he has denied, would be the first significant reversal in a foreign lobbying case under the new FARA enforcement regime laid out earlier this year by Attorney General Pam Bondi. (Though it's also notable that DOJ will move ahead with Cuellar's bribery case after dropping similar charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams this spring.) — Bondi's February directive that FARA prosecutions 'be limited to instances of alleged conduct similar to more traditional espionage by foreign government actors' set off a scramble between political appointees and career prosecutors at DOJ over the fate of Cuellar's case, with the latter initially rejecting a request for dismissal, per NYT. — 'The department's political leadership accepted Mr. Galeotti's determination that the bribery charges were firmly supported by evidence, but reversed his decision to proceed with the prosecution under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, overruling John A. Eisenberg, the head of the national security division.' FLYING IN: Advocates with the bank-backed Small Business Payments Alliance headed to the Hill today to keep up the drumbeat of opposition to swipe fee legislation from Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.). It's the fifth time the alliance has held a fly-in on the issue in the past 18 months. — Today's fly-in featured meetings with Sens. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.) and Reps. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), Mario Díaz-Balart (R-Fla.) and Dave Taylor (R-Ohio) and staff for Senate Banking Chair Tim Scott (R-S.C.). It was aimed at touting a new report from the SBPA that highlights consumer support for electronic payment systems that utilize swipe fees. SHIVVING SLATER: 'Internal friction with the Justice Department team that fights monopolies has led to private conversations in the Trump administration about whether to push out some staff in the antitrust division or to work to smooth out the issues, according to multiple sources familiar with the situation,' CBS' Jennifer Jacobs reports. — The tension has centered around DOJ antitrust chief Gail Slater and her staff, who 'still has support from some top officials in the administration' but has 'been a target of criticism from colleagues and business leaders, sources inside and outside the administration told CBS News.' — 'There has been friction over the handling of investigations into T-Mobile, Hewlett Packard Enterprise and others,' including complaints about 'a substantial amount of internal push-and-pull to land on decisions to reach deals that resolve merger issues.' — 'Slater has also told companies not to try to engage with the administration via Trump-aligned lobbyists and consultants, several sources said. Frustration with that tack led business leaders to reach out to White House officials wondering why they were being told who they can hire, two sources said.' — Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche dismissed the report, writing in a post on X that 'aonymous efforts to divide this DOJ will not succeed' and that Slater has the full support of DOJ leaders. 'Our Department is stronger because of her leadership,' he added. TALES FROM THE CRYPTO: 'Nearly 70 Trump administration officials and nominees held cryptocurrency or investments in blockchain or digital-asset companies at the time of their selection, with stakes ranging from small to more than $120 million,' The Washington Post's Arfa Momin, Clara Ence Morse and Cat Zakrzewski report. — Trump himself 'has reported a personal stake of at least $51 million in the digital asset revolution he is championing — and profiting from — in the White House. Vice President JD Vance and seven Cabinet members or nominees reported at least another $2 million in cryptocurrency wallets or investments, according to the examination of financial disclosure forms from nearly 300 top-level appointees.' — 'Some of the Trump officials and nominees who reported crypto holdings were leaders in the tech and crypto industry who supported Trump's 2024 campaign before scoring positions with the administration. Others head key regulatory and law enforcement agencies, including the regulator who oversees the mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.' — The ubiquity of crypto holdings 'represents a milestone in the development of the industry, which has sought for years to be considered a legitimate investment on par with other assets,' and 'the appointment of multiple officials with crypto holdings comes at a time when the administration has taken a hands-off approach to regulation of digital currencies. The administration has also backed policies supported by the crypto industry, including legislation in Congress' that passed today. SPOTTED last night at the Washington Government Relations Group's 14th annual Tin Cup Awards Dinner, per a tipster: Honorees Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.), Stephen Benjamin of The Benjamin Firm, Abby Phillip of CNN, John Mason of Altria, Colette Honorable of Exelon, Brad Knox of Aflac, Molly Njeru Ryan of Global Blood Therapeutics, Quincy Enoch of Invariant (posthumously) and Danielle McBeth of Florida A&M University; Reps. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) and Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.), Dontai Smalls of UPS, Tiffani Williams of The Daschle Group, Jackie Kelly, Jr. of FedEx, Eriade Williams of News Corp., Charlyn Stanberry of the National Association of Broadcasters, Stephen Williams of Idemia, William Clyburn of Clyburn Consulting, Isaac Fordjour of Walgreen, Malcolm Sherrod of Dish Network, Tasia Jackson of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries' office and Alex Washington of Entergy Services. — And on Tuesday at a fundraiser for Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) hosted by TSG Advocates at the firm's newly opened Capitol Hill rowhouse, per a tipster: Mario Diaz-Balart, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, acting FTA Administrator Tariq Bokhari, Jeff Parker of ParkerVision, Michael Munz of Munz Family Holdings, Harrison Wadsworth of AECOM, Randall Popelka and Henry Wang of Herbalife, Alix Miller of the Florida Trucking Association, Ashlee Wright of WOT Educational Services, Orlando Mendoza of Arsenal Growth, Kayla Montgomery of the Rainey Freedom Project, Trey Goff of Honduras Próspera Inc., Joel Gibbons of AMC Health, Federal Maritime Commission Chair Louis Sola and Daniel Diaz-Balart, Kevin Hofmann, Chase Kroll, Beau Rothschild, Brian Darling, Kaitlyn Roberts, Nick Raineri, Chris Dudley, Katia St. Fleur and Adam Hollingsworth of TSG. Jobs report — Chris Chamberlain has joined Morrison Foerster as a partner in the firm's national security group. He most recently was a senior adviser in Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security, focusing on the development and implementation of semiconductor export controls. — Sara Schreiber is now senior vice president of campaigns at the League of Conservation Voters. She most recently was chief of staff on the Harris campaign. — Giovanni Rocco has launched a consulting firm, Rocco Communications. He previously led comms for WorldPride DC 2025 and is an Interior Department alum. — Palmer Williams is now a partner at Holtzman Vogel. She previously was an associate professor at Lipscomb University's College of Leadership and Public Service. — Len Costa is now chief marketing and comms officer at Conservation International. He previously was a partner at RooneyPartners. — Dan Meyers is now a managing director at Teneo. He previously has worked as principal and founder of Perspective Strategies. — Bennett Artman has joined the National Electrical Manufacturers Association as communications director. He most recently was a director on the D.C.-based public affairs team with Antenna Group. — Melinda Garrett is now director of working families in the Bipartisan Policy Center's human capital program. She previously was senior adviser for the CHIPS for America strategy team in the Commerce Department. — Andrew Lock has joined the public policy team at Project Kuiper, Amazon's constellation of low-earth orbit satellites. He most recently was principal at Monument Advocacy, and was a staffer in both the House and Senate. — Riva Sciuto is now YouTube's lead for global civics partnerships. She spent a decade at Google prior, most recently as head of communications for its AI assistant Gemini. — The Semiconductor Industry Association has added Jaclyn Kellon as a director on the global policy team. She was most recently a foreign affairs officer and technical expert on semiconductors for the State Department's Office of Critical Technology Protection. New Joint Fundraisers None. New PACs Carolina Courage (Super PAC) Ohio Citizen Action Mobilization PAC (PAC) Rainmaker Technology Corporation PAC (PAC) New Lobbying REGISTRATIONS Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld: Driscoll'S, Inc. Apco Worldwide LLC: Canada Goose Inc. Apco Worldwide LLC: Inter Ikea Systems B.V. Aquia Group, LLC: Omeros Corporation Blue Star Strategies LLC: Sparc Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP: Itafos Conda LLC Burrell International Group LLC: C2 Strategies (O/B/O Ares Security Corporation) Capitol Hill Consulting Group: Bolton & Menk Capitol Hill Consulting Group: Commercial Beverage Concepts, LLC Cassidy & Associates, Inc.: American Short Line And Regional Railroad Association Cassidy & Associates, Inc.: National Wildlife Federation Action Fund Cassidy & Associates, Inc.: Nyrstar Clarksville, Inc Cassidy & Associates, Inc.: Pac-12 Conference Cassidy & Associates, Inc.: Velo3D Clark Street Associates: Tenstorrent, Inc. Cornerstone Government Affairs, Inc.: Renalogic, Inc. Cornerstone Government Affairs, Inc.: Specialty Care Management, LLC Cozen O'Connor Public Strategies: Canda Solutions Cozen O'Connor Public Strategies: Harvard Maintenance Crowell & Moring LLP: Corteva Agriscience LLC Da Vinci Group: Anewhealth, Inc. Da Vinci Group: Brian Dror Cpa, Inc. Da Vinci Group: Chenega Corporation, Inc. (Mios Strategic Business Unit) Da Vinci Group: Clear Force, Inc. Da Vinci Group: Dc Capital Partners, Inc. Da Vinci Group: Oscar Management Corporation Da Vinci Group: Procare, Inc. Da Vinci Group: Recreation Access Alliance Da Vinci Group: Stchealth, Inc. Drake Ventures, LLC: Tunica-Biloxi Tribe Of Louisiana Engel Burns: Annexon Biosciences Grayrobinson Pa: Impact Public Affairs Obo Canadian Automobile Dealers Association Heideman Nudelman & Kalik, Pc: American Victims Of Iranian Terror Heideman Nudelman & Kalik, Pc: American Victims Of Syrian Terror Hogan Lovells US LLP: Cliffwater LLC Innovative Federal Strategies, LLC: Consolidated Safety Services, Inc. J.A. Green And Company (Formerly LLC): Gartner, Inc. J.A. Green And Company (Formerly LLC): Westwin Elements Klein/Johnson Group: Chef Ann Foundation K&L Gates, LLP: Triumph Financial, Inc. Lewis-Burke Associates, LLC: Board Of Trustees For The College Of The Holy Cross Liberty Partners Group, LLC: Aadj Linchpin Strategies, LLC: Charter School Lenders Coalition Lmh Strategic Solutions: Acadia Pharmaceuticals Lmh Strategic Solutions: Ardelyx, Inc. Lmh Strategic Solutions: Biomarin Pharmaceutical, Inc. Lmh Strategic Solutions: Exelixis, Inc. Lmh Strategic Solutions: Harmony Biosciences Lmh Strategic Solutions: Incyte Corporation Lmh Strategic Solutions: Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. Madeleine Smith: American Medical Manufacturers Association Obo Goldstein Policy Solutions LLC Mayer Brown LLP: Galaxy Digital Holdings, Lp Mcguirewoods Consulting (A Subsidiary Of Mcguirewoods LLP): Oregon Department Of Human Services Meridian Strategic Resources, LLC: Meridian Strategic Resources, LLC Michael Best Strategies LLC: The Weather Company, LLC Milne, Wiener & Shofe Global Strategies (Fka M & W Government Affairs, LLC): Disruptive Beverage, Inc. (Dba Nowadays) Milne, Wiener & Shofe Global Strategies (Fka M & W Government Affairs, LLC): The Wine And Spirits Wholesalers Of America Nichols Law LLP: Coalition For American Farm Exports (Informal Coalition) Ridge Path Strategies: Mastercard International Incorporated Rk Strategies, Inc.: Bullbag Corporation Rk Strategies, Inc.: Clearmind Medicine, Inc Sr Partners LLC: Kuakini Health System Standard Chartered Bank (Fra Standard Chartered Bank New York Branch): Standard Chartered Bank (Fra Standard Chartered Bank New York Branch) Stinson LLP: Urbix, Inc. Strategic Marketing Innovations: Draper Strategic Marketing Innovations: Mobivolt Defense LLC Strategic Marketing Innovations: Teledyne Scientific & Imaging Tanagra Enterprises LLC: Astranis Tanagra Enterprises LLC: Northwood Space The Bernhardt Group LLC: Actual Resources Solutions LLC The Bernhardt Group LLC: Almond Alliance The Bernhardt Group LLC: American Exploration And Production Council The Bernhardt Group LLC: Arena Offshore The Bernhardt Group LLC: Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP Obo Bakelite US Holdco, Inc. The Bernhardt Group LLC: Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP Obo Barrick Gold Of North America The Bernhardt Group LLC: Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP Obo Denver Water The Bernhardt Group LLC: Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP Obo Twin Metals Minnesota LLC The Bernhardt Group LLC: Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP Obo USa Rare Earth The Bernhardt Group LLC: Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck Obo Central Arizona Water Conservation District The Bernhardt Group LLC: Chenega Corporation The Bernhardt Group LLC: Conocophillips The Bernhardt Group LLC: Contango Ore, Inc. The Bernhardt Group LLC: Delaware North Companies, Incorporated The Bernhardt Group LLC: Devon Energy The Bernhardt Group LLC: Fallbrook Public Utility District The Bernhardt Group LLC: Fenner Gap Mutual Water Company The Bernhardt Group LLC: Flowco, Inc. The Bernhardt Group LLC: Garrison Diversion Conservancy District The Bernhardt Group LLC: J.R. Simplot Company The Bernhardt Group LLC: Madera County The Bernhardt Group LLC: Naperville Heritage Society The Bernhardt Group LLC: Natural Resource Results Obo Silencer Central The Bernhardt Group LLC: Netafim USa The Bernhardt Group LLC: Permian Resources Operating, LLC The Bernhardt Group LLC: Rbw Group LLC Obo Medify Air The Bernhardt Group LLC: Ridgecrest Regional Hospital The Bernhardt Group LLC: Santos Limited The Bernhardt Group LLC: Sierra Pacific Industries The Bernhardt Group LLC: Solidus Resources, LLC The Bernhardt Group LLC: Strata Production Company The Bernhardt Group LLC: Talos Energy The Bernhardt Group LLC: Valhalla Metals Inc. The Bernhardt Group LLC: Westlands Water District The Bernhardt Group LLC: Wetstone Holdings Ltd. Thompson Coburn LLP: Studio Enterprise, LLC Thorn Run Partners: American Society Of Consultant Pharmacists (Ascp) Tsg Advocates Dc, LLC: Axon Enterprise, Inc. Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale And Dorr LLP: The Kraft Heinz Company New Lobbying Terminations 23 Consulting, LLC: Tecnologias Relacionadas Con Energia Y Servicios Especializados Sa De Cv (Trese 535 Group, LLC: Hudsonalpha Institute Of Biotechnology Adams And Reese, LLP: Concordance Academy Of Leadership Adams And Reese, LLP: National Medal Of Honor Center For Leadership Alcalde & Fay: Androscoggin County, Maine Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP: Berkshire Hathaway Energy Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP: Employee-Owned S Corporations Of America Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP: Robert Bosch LLC Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP: T1 Energy Inc. (Formerly Freyr Battery, Inc.) Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz: Fleet Space Becker & Poliakoff, P.A.: Civic Roundtable, Inc. Blue Star Strategies LLC: New Venture Fund Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP: Basic Medical Dba Intco USa Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP: Brand Engagement Network, Inc. Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP: Cadence Education Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP: Christian Brothers Academy Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP: Spark Therapeutics, Inc. Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP: Talos Energy Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP: Teach-Now, Inc. Dba Moreland University Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP: The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP: Twin Metals Minnesota LLC Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP: Yildirim International Investment Holding Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney Pc: Earthwalk Orthotics Cassidy & Associates, Inc.: Exelon Business Services Co. Cassidy & Associates, Inc.: Northern Arizona University Foundation Collective Strategies & Communications LLC (Formerly Collective Communications L: Firehawk Helicopters Collective Strategies & Communications LLC (Formerly Collective Communications L: H.F. Vickers LLC Commonwealth Care Alliance: Commonwealth Care Alliance Cornerstone Government Affairs, Inc.: Biolab, Inc. Cornerstone Government Affairs, Inc.: Rain Scientific Inc. Cozen O'Connor Public Strategies: Crop Enhancement Cozen O'Connor Public Strategies: F. H. Paschen Cozen O'Connor Public Strategies: Freedom Of The Press Foundation Cozen O'Connor Public Strategies: Orbit Fab Cozen O'Connor Public Strategies: Parkway Garage, Inc. Cozen O'Connor Public Strategies: Springfield Clinic LLP Davidoff Hutcher & Citron, LLP: Certified Moving And Storage LLC Davis & Harman LLP: Lpl Financial Edge Creek Partners: Golden State Opportunity Foundation Ervin Graves Strategy Group, LLC: 5E Advanced Materials, Inc. Ervin Graves Strategy Group, LLC: Alpha Eagle Technology Corp. Ervin Graves Strategy Group, LLC: Merlin Tps Corp. Ervin Graves Strategy Group, LLC: National Association Of Credit Services Organizations Ervin Graves Strategy Group, LLC: Perry Johnson Inc. Fgs Global (US) LLC (Fka Fgh Holdings LLC): American Baseball Coaches Association Fgs Global (US) LLC (Fka Fgh Holdings LLC): Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association Fgs Global (US) LLC (Fka Fgh Holdings LLC): Generate Capital, Pbc Fgs Global (US) LLC (Fka Fgh Holdings LLC): Intercollegiate Tennis Association Fgs Global (US) LLC (Fka Fgh Holdings LLC): National Field Hockey Coaches Association Fulcrum Public Affairs LLC: Autoflex Fleet Glassman Enterprises, LLC: Dci Group, L.L.C. On Behalf Of Scm Consulting Limited Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP: Phillips 66 Kinetic Solutions Group: Fairy Tales Hair Care , Inc K&L Gates, LLP: Unlock Aid Coalition Manatos & Manatos: Manatos & Manatos Manatos & Manatos: Pp Prodaljavame Promianata ('Pp') - Bulgaria Manatos & Manatos: Resolute Building Intelligence Mr. Edmund Graber: Quad City Manufacturing Laboratory Primacy Strategy Group: City Of St. Louis Park Primacy Strategy Group: Open Arms Of Minnesota Robertson, Monagle & Eastaugh LLC (Fka Robertson, Monagle & Eastaugh Pc): Alaska Groundfish Data Bank Strategic Marketing Innovations: Binera, Inc. Strategics Consulting, LLC: Caldwell County, Nc Strogen Strategic Sustainability, LLC: Ocean Thermal Energy Corporation The Ferguson Group: Vallejo, Ca - City Of The Prenda Group LLC: Sovereign Systems Inc. (Blind Insight) Thorn Run Partners: Forerunner Industries Venable LLP: Okcoin USa Inc. Washington Premier Group: Federally Employed Women
USA Today
15-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Paulo Costa plans to call out 'motherf*cker' Khamzat Chimaev with UFC 318 win
Paulo Costa has not let go of his beef with Khamzat Chimaev. Costa (14-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC) and Chimaev (14-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) were booked to fight at UFC 294 in October 2023, but Costa wound up withdrawing due to injury. Their rivalry dates back to a heated run-in at the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas prior to Chimaev's UFC 279 win over Kevin Holland in September 2022. Costa meets Roman Kopylov (14-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) in Saturday's co-main event (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. With a win, "Borrachinha" hopes he can finally settle his score with Chimaev, who challenges middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis in the UFC 319 headliner on Aug. 16 in Chicago. "If God gives me this victory, I will call his name," Costa said on "The Ariel Helwani Show." "I'm going to call this son of a b*tch, motherf*cker for a fight. He needs to fight me. I need to fight him. I have tried to fight him for a long time, since we had a beef inside the PI. "He has been avoiding fighting me for a long time. He always says no, and UFC has tried to put this matchup together for a long time, like two years ago. They said Chimaev said no, 'he doesn't want to fight you, he wants to fight anybody at 185, but he doesn't want to fight you.'" Since falling short to Israel Adesanya in their title fight at UFC 253, Costa has failed to regain his peak form, losing four of his past five fights. He plans on bringing back the version of himself that went toe-to-toe with Yoel Romero in a Fight of the Night win. "I just feel like I need a new refresh," Costa said. "See different things and be connected with my old style, that style to chase, to be more aggressive, to bring back the Paulo of the old days since I fought my very first fights in the UFC, very aggressive. The fans and people around me always ask me to come back with this kind of style of fighting. So, yeah, I was looking for that, to bring back this style, and I think this is who I am."
