Lobbyists are pushing their priorities onto anything on the Hill that moves as working days and viable bills dwindle.
The bill reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration already has air-travel matters for lobbyists to brawl over, but that’s not all. Right now, they “have to be prepared for anything,” Monument Advocacy partner Jessica Herrera-Flanigan said.
Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) pitched an amendment with Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) to rein in credit card fees. It’s a big retail sector priority, and banking lobbyists are fighting it.
“There are only a few bills and legislative days actually left this year, but it only takes one vote,” said Richard Hunt, who is leading the Electronic Payments Coalition in opposing the Durbin-Marshall add. The coalition spent just shy of $1 million in the first quarter of this year, lobbying disclosures show.
It’s not clear whether any of the amendments will actually get a vote.
Airline lobby Airlines for America is working against additions. “Extraneous, non-germane amendments threaten this must-pass bill amid a looming May 10th deadline,” the group said in a statement.
Doug Kantor, an executive committee member of the Merchants Payments Coalition supporting the Durbin-Marshall bill, said he expected “continued discussion and wrangling” over amendments into next week.
“If we get a shot on this bill, that’s fantastic,” Kantor said, but added “we don’t worry as much about which specific vehicle.”
Beyond FAA, lobbyists said they need to keep up the pressure even for agenda items that might slip into the lame-duck session or next year.
“You have to continue lobbying, even if you’re not seeing that legislation moving tomorrow,” Herrera-Flanigan said. “You still have to be on top of it and advocating because you never know when things can take a turn, especially in a crazy presidential election year.”
We have an idea what lobbyists’ book clubs plan to read next. The influence set is bracing for a new read out Tuesday examining three dynasties of K Street and their work to wield corporate power in Washington.
“The Wolves of K Street: The Secret History of How Big Money Took Over Big Government,” digs into the details about lobbyists Tom Boggs, Tony Podesta, and the firm once known as Black, Manafort & Stone, authors Brody and Luke Mullins said in an interview with Bloomberg Government.
The brothers-turned authors said the book project didn’t cause any lasting family feuds.
“There’s been some yelling and screaming...I think we’re happy to still be talking to each other,” Luke quipped. Read More
New China competition committee Chair John Moolenaar is more work horse than show horse, according to colleagues. And though the Michigan Republican might not court media attention like predecessor Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.), he still draws a hard line against the Asian nation. Read More from Kate Ackley.
House Ways and Means Republicans are preparing for next year’s tax negotiations with the launch of “tax teams” that are planning to hold listening sessions, hearings, and deliver reports. Read More from Samantha Handler and Chris Cioffi.
Medicare would create a program to offer bonus payments to hospitals and doctors that enter into long-term contracts with makers of certain generic medicines under a proposal from the heads of the Senate Finance Committee to combat drug shortages. Read More from Alex Ruoff.
Agriculture committee leaders are closer to renewing the farm bill after unveiling legislative frameworks on May 1, but hurdles remain ahead of the Sept. 30 deadline. Read More from Lauren Turenchalk.
