The lobbyist son of congressman Carlos Gimenez (R-FL) was arrested for slapping a Miami city commissioner at a steakhouse, the Miami Herald reports.
Does Punchbowl News Play by the Rules?
American Prospect: “On Sunday afternoon, the Washington Football Team lost to the Dallas Cowboys, and Punchbowl News was there to see it. The D.C.-based scoop shop, a newsletter-based online publication, partnered with the scandal-plagued and still nameless sports franchise to secure a luxury skybox from which to watch the game. And they invited some friends—in their own words, an ‘exclusive group of D.C. decision makers.'”
“On its face, the event looks like a flagrant violation of journalistic ethics. Basically every single lobbyist listed represents a firm that has lobbied legislators on the text of the Build Back Better, bipartisan infrastructure, and American Rescue Plan acts over the last ten months…”
“Over that same ten-month period, which makes up the entirety of Punchbowl’s existence, the publication has covered those pieces of legislation breathlessly. Build Back Better, in particular, has been the object of an overwhelming percentage of the outlet’s journalistic output. For the publication to then host the very same lobbyists who were attempting, and often succeeding, to take down multiple provisions in that bill as special guests at a free skybox event raises serious questions about whether Punchbowl has been doing journalism or simply laundering industry talking points.”
Dark Money Group Sought Trump Pardons
Former Trump acting attorney general Matthew Whitaker earned $400,000 last year by helping a conservative “dark money” group secure pardons from his former boss, the Daily Beast reports.
Neither Whitaker nor the group reported the lobbying activity as required by law.
No Boris Johnson Apology Amid Lobbying Furor
“Boris Johnson declined to apologize over his attempt to protect a ruling U.K. Conservative Party lawmaker who broke lobbying rules, even with his government still battling to contain the fallout,” Bloomberg reports.
Tips for Lobbying Your Legislators
As she nears the end of her city council term, Sara Goddard reflects on how to best lobby for change: 7 Effective Ways To Make Your Legislators Take Notice.
Facebook Outspent Nearly Everyone on Lobbying
Facebook outspent nearly the entire D.C. influence industry on lobbying during the quarter ending Sept. 30, putting in its second most lavish three months ever, Politico reports.
Sanders Blames Lobbyists for Delay In Reconciliation Bill
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) writes for Fox News that delays in passing the budget reconciliation bill are due to intense lobbying from the pharmaceutical, health insurance and fossil fuel industries.

Rift Widens Between Business Groups and House GOP
“Lobbying efforts by some of the nation’s biggest business groups are falling on deaf ears with House Republicans just a few years after the two worked in lockstep to craft the 2017 tax bill that delivered massive corporate tax cuts,” The Hill reports.
“Even after every major business group in Washington, D.C., urged House Republicans to support the Senate-passed $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill, only a handful of GOP lawmakers have said they would vote for the measure.”
Lobbying Kicks Into High Gear
New York Times: “As Democrats labor to keep Mr. Biden’s proposal on track in Congress amid deep internal divisions, a robust influence campaign is meeting it at every turn. Business groups are working in overdrive to fight large swaths of it, such as raising taxes on the wealthy and corporations; expanding Medicare to cover dental, hearing and vision services; and proposed taxes and fees to cut down on carbon emissions.”
“The effort is unfolding less conspicuously than previous lobbying pushes; pandemic restrictions have limited large gatherings of lobbyists at the Capitol, so the corridor outside the Senate Finance Committee’s office, which has long been known as ‘Gucci Gulch,’ is no longer overrun with shiny Italian shoes. But the campaign is proceeding as intensely as ever, via individual meetings, Zoom calls, fund-raisers and the airwaves.”
Exxon Mobil Lobbying Against Reconciliation Bill
“Exxon Mobil has been lobbying against pieces of a sprawling Democratic budget bill aimed at boosting working class families and fighting climate change,” CNBC reports.
“The fossil fuel giant has spent $275,000 over the past week on Facebook ads that include spots targeting tax hikes Democrats have included in the bill, which has a $3.5 trillion price tag at the moment.”
Lobbyist with Ties to Trump Under Scrutiny
Wall Street Journal: “Federal prosecutors are investigating Barry Bennett, a Republican lobbyist and one-time unpaid campaign adviser to former President Donald Trump, over allegations that he secretly set up and funded a U.S.-based advocacy group without disclosing its ties to the government of Qatar.”
Lobbying Booms as Washington Legislates
Roll Call: “K Street lobbyists this week took a downright jubilant tone when discussing their most recent public disclosures, which reflected an uptick in business fueled by massive government spending; debate over an infrastructure deal and possible tax increases to help foot the bill; and regulatory actions in the Biden administration.”
“A limited return of congressional earmarks and the slim majorities in both chambers have also been a boost to lobbyists’ business.”
Longtime Trump Friend Indicted In Foreign Lobbying Case
“Thomas Barrack, a longtime friend to former president Donald Trump and a billionaire businessman, was arrested on Tuesday for violating foreign lobbying laws,” the Washington Post reports.
“Barrack, whose primary residence is in Los Angeles, was taken into custody in California and indicted on foreign lobbying charges related to his dealings with the United Arab Emirates.”
Manchin Suggests Roy Blunt Can Be Pressured
“Joe Manchin, in a private call on Monday with a group of major donors, provided a revealing look at his political approach to the most thorny issues confronting lawmakers,” The Intercept reports.
“When it came to Sen. Roy Blunt, a moderate Missouri Republican who voted no on the Jan. 6 commission, Manchin offered a creative solution.”
Said Manchin: “Roy is retiring. If some of you all who might be working with Roy in his next life could tell him, that’d be nice and it’d help our country. That would be very good to get him to change his vote.”
Republicans Warned Over Meeting with Big Tech Lobbyists
“Conservatives in Washington are growing much more leery of groups with financial ties to Big Tech,” Axios reports.
“Third-party influence is a key lobbying strategy for major companies in Washington and has in the past been very effective for Silicon Valley. Now it’s becoming a liability, making it even harder for tech companies and their allies to push their message on Capitol Hill.”
Lobbyists Race to Make Covid Policy Changes Permanent
Politico: “From margaritas-to-go to marijuana deliveries to virtual doctor visits, the pandemic prompted states to ease rules to make life at home more bearable. But the looming end of emergency orders has teed up a lobbying frenzy in state capitals to make these Covid-era conveniences permanent fixtures in American life.”
Cryptocurrency Industry Rushes to Hire Major DC Players
New York Times: “As the stakes have grown, so has the recognition that the industry’s future — at least in the United States — will be shaped in Washington, prompting the rush to scoop up well-connected advocates.”
Texas Capitol Staffer Alleges Being Drugged by Lobbyist
“Allegations that a Texas lobbyist drugged a legislative aide shook the state Capitol on Monday, leading to some lawmakers restricting access to their offices as both law enforcement and a major lobbying firm said they were investigating,” the AP reports.
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