Delivered daily, Influence gives you a comprehensive rundown and analysis of all lobby hires and news on K Street.
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BARRACK REJECTS ‘RIDICULOUS’ FOREIGN AGENT CHARGES IN TRIAL: Donald Trump ally and campaign adviser Tom Barrack sought to trade on his longtime friendship with the former president by covertly providing officials from the United Arab Emirates access to the highest levels of the U.S. government in a “corrupt pursuit of money and power,” federal prosecutors alleged at the opening of Barrack’s trial in federal court in Brooklyn today.
— Assistant U.S. Attorney Hiral Mehta argued that Barrack and his former aide, Matthew Grimes, used Barrack’s “unique access” to Trump to act as the “eyes and ears and voice” of the wealthy Gulf nation during Trump’s 2016 run for president and through the beginning of his administration. They did so, Mehta said, in exchange for tens of millions of dollars’ worth of investments from Emirati sovereign wealth funds.
— Barrack and Grimes have both pleaded not guilty to charges of acting as unregistered foreign agents, and their attorneys today sought to pour cold water on the notion that either man had agreed to act or had acted at the direction or control of any foreign government.
— Barrack attorney Michael Schachter dismissed as “nonsense” the notion that his client was ever acting at the direction or control of anyone but himself, asserting that Barrack “said and did exactly what he wanted” in the course of running his business, which included dealings with officials from numerous foreign governments in the Middle East and around the world.
— At the same time, Schachter repeatedly downplayed the significance of what authorities laid out as part of Barrack’s alleged influence campaign, which Schachter characterized as the “most meaningless, most inconsequential acts.”
— He also noted that at times, Barrack’s private advice to Trump ran counter to the UAE’s interests, and hinted that Barrack’s defense could lean into the relative novelty of the espionage statute he is charged with violating, telling jurors that his client had not engaged in more stereotypical forms of spycraft like being caught transferring large sums of money to Swiss bank accounts or with “suitcases full of diamonds.”
— Meanwhile prosecutors sought to portray Grimes as Barrack’s “right-hand man,” a characterization Grimes’ attorney Abbe Lowell scoffed at. Lowell, who showed the jury photos of Grimes at various ages, including as a teenaged DJ at the graduation party of one of Barrack’s children, repeatedly described his client as nothing more than an ambitious and hardworking assistant to Barrack whose job duties, in addition to drafting memos and doing research for Barrack’s investment firm, then known as Colony Capital, included arranging spa treatments and babysitting Barrack’s children.
Good evening and welcome to PI, where we’re hitting your inbox a little later than usual after spending the day at the Barrack and Grimes trial. I’ll be in the courtroom again for day two, so send tips and recommendations for lunch spots near the courthouse: [email protected] . And be sure to follow me on Twitter: @caitlinoprysko.
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CBD COALITION RELAUNCHES WITH NEW TARGET: An advocacy group that launched half a decade ago aiming to legalize CBD is relaunching with a new purpose to build on its legislative victory from 2018.
— Paige Figi, who formed the Coalition for Access Now to advocate for the availability of CBD to aid children with severe medical conditions like her late daughter, Charlotte, is now looking to shape how CBD products are regulated by federal authorities following the 2018 farm bill, which legalized the cultivation of the hemp from which CBD is derived.
— The coalition is looking to rally support among caregivers, veterans, athletes and sports leagues and businesses for legislation that would direct the FDA to regulate CBD as a dietary supplement, pointing to the explosion of CBD products on the market since 2018. It cites a recent study that found nearly 60 percent of CBD products in the U.S. are mislabeled while turning up the presence of heavy metals like lead, mercury and arsenic in edible CBD products.
— The group has retained David Crane of Bose Public Affairs Group to boost its work on the Hill.
KETAMINE COMPANY HIRES FORMER ENERGY & COMMERCE CHAIR: “Mindbloom, a telemedicine platform that uses ketamine to treat depression and anxiety, is turning to high-powered K Street help as it seeks to extend loosened telehealth rules for controlled substances ushered in by the pandemic,” POLITICO’s Megan Wilson reports.
— “It brought on its first lobbying firm, Alpine Group Partners, according to recently disclosed federal lobbying forms. Among the lobbyists on the contract is former Rep. Greg Walden, an Oregon Republican who led the House Energy and Commerce Committee.”
— “Walden has primarily been introducing the company and its offerings to his former colleagues in Congress, he told POLITICO. In making the argument that Congress should extend the eased rules beyond the Covid-19 public health emergency, he said he is also trying to get some lawmakers to overcome outdated thinking about psychedelics.”
— “‘I’ll be the first to admit, that’s what I said. I was like, “What are you asking me to get involved in here?”’” chuckled Walden, who said he was encouraged by reading more about its effects. Although it’s not approved for the treatment of mental health issues, ketamine is used ‘off label’ and some studies have shown promise of it being beneficial to patients with treatment-resistant depression.”
FLYING IN: The stream of trade associations flocking to the halls of Congress continues today, with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers bringing leaders from more than four dozen equipment manufacturers to the Hill to meet with lawmakers like Sens. Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), and Reps. Troy Balderson (R-Ohio), Brad Finstad (R-Minn.), Mike Flood (R-Neb.), Jim Himes (D-Conn.), Tracey Mann (R-Kan.) and Bryan Steil(R-Wis.).
— Board members, hospital CEOs, and other representatives from Physician-Led Healthcare for America are flying in as well, with members set to meet with Reps. Stephanie Bice (R-Okla.), Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.), Mann, the Senate HELP Committee, and a dozen other offices. They’re urging lawmakers to remove the government's expansion restriction on physician-led hospitals.
— The Association of Dental Support Organizations will be in town too, to push for requirements that health insurers cover the diagnosis and treatment of severe oral and facial defects as well as a measure that would fund an oral health literacy and awareness public education campaign. ADSO will hear from dentist-turned-lawmaker Drew Ferguson (R-Ga.) and CMS Chief Dental Officer Natalia Chalmers.
— And salespeople and executives from the Direct Selling Association, a trade group that promotes multilevel marketing, has meetings slated today with more than 50 lawmakers, including Reps. Kim Schrier (D-Wash.), Brian Mast (R-Fla.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) and Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.). They’ll discuss independent contractor issues, as well as a forthcoming FTC rule on earnings claims.
— But virtual fly-ins are not finished. The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States and American Craft Spirits Association are wrapping up a virtual fly-in with more than 110 virtual meetings on the books to press members on legislation that would enable the USPS to ship beverage alcohol products where direct-to-consumer shipping is permissible by law. Distillers will hear from Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) and Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.) and meet with Sens. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) and others.
HRC TAPS PLANNED PARENTHOOD LEADER: The Human Rights Campaign has tapped longtime progressive organizer Kelley Robinson as its next president, following the ouster of the LGBTQ rights group’s former leaderAlphonso David last year over revelations of his involvement in former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s response to sexual misconduct allegations.
— Robinson has spent the past decade with Planned Parenthood Action Fund, the political arm of the abortion rights group, most recently serving as executive director. Robinson is credited with quadrupling its annual budget, resulting in what Planned Parenthood says was the largest electoral program in its history during the 2020 election.
— Robinson earlier this year indicated that she sought to build on that success following the Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade. In a statement Tuesday she linked her abortion rights organizing to HRC’s work, calling the current climate “a pivotal moment in our movement for equality for LGBTQ+ people.”
— “The overturning of Roe v. Wade reminds us we are just one Supreme court decision away from losing fundamental freedoms including the freedom to marry, voting rights, and privacy,” she added, arguing that “we are facing a generational opportunity to rise to these challenges and create real, sustainable change.”
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— Saige Wenik is now staff secretary coordinator in Vice President Kamala Harris’ office. She most recently was a legislative assistant at WilmerHale.
— Lucas Swanepoel and Paulo Pontemayor have been promoted to be senior directors for federal government relations at the Catholic Health Association of the United States.
— Alison Graab is now a senior vice president at the Alpine Group. She previously was a clerk with the Senate Appropriations Transportation-HUD Subcommittee GOP.
— Adriana Hidalgo and Matt Weiner have launched the 501(c)(4) Megafire Action, Playbook reports. Hidalgo previously was scheduler and special assistant to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi . Weiner previously was executive director of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation.
— Jason Cole has joined FS Investments as executive director for public policy and corporate affairs. Cole worked previously at CBC Companies, MetLife and UBS, and is a House alum.
A message from the National Confectioners Association:
America’s chocolate and candy companies are providing more choice and portion guidance options for consumers seeking to manage their sugar intake – whether that’s buying candy for family celebrations, picking up a treat to share with friends or enjoying a treat on the way out of the store. From beloved classics to new offerings like low/zero sugar and organic, the confectionery industry is meeting consumers where they want to be met. Learn more at AlwaysATreat.com.
Pansing Brooks Victory Fund (Nebraska Democratic Party, Patty For Congress)
Eastern Millwrights Local 443 PAC (PAC) Florida Strong PAC (PAC) Haitian Diaspora PAC (PAC) Kiggans Victory Fund Total Health and Wellness PAC by NeuroFlow, Inc. (PAC) Westerly Question 1 (PAC)
A message from the National Confectioners Association:
Blank Rome Government Relations: Golden Technologies, Inc. Cornerstone Government Affairs, Inc.: City Of Monroe, Louisiana Cornerstone Government Affairs, Inc.: Fortress Information Security, LLC Cornerstone Government Affairs, Inc.: Ocmulgee National Park And Preserve Initiative Cornerstone Government Affairs, Inc.: Tate, Inc. Dinino Associates, LLC: Cornerstone Government Affairs Obo Tate, Inc. Forbes-Tate: Alivecor, Inc. Forbes-Tate: Sk Hynix Nand Product Solutions Corp. D/B/A/Solidigm Holland & Knight LLP: Coorstek Invariant LLC: Open San Consulting, LLC D/B/A Osc Edge Keller Partners & Company: True Local Beef, LLC Mchugh Lemay Assoc., LLC: Clark Street On Behalf Of Kyocera Soraa Laser Diode Mercury Public Affairs, LLC: Energia Naturalis And Ppd Group Mercury Public Affairs, LLC: Salcedo Attorneys At Law Pa Obo Prodata Merkava Strategies Corporation: One Israel Fund Proskauer Rose LLP: Arnold And Frimet Roth Ryan Costello Strategies: T-Mobile USa, Inc. Squire Patton Boggs: Montgomery Airport Authority Steptoe & Johnson LLP: Igloo Products Corp The Kpm Group Dc LLC: Stealth Biotherapeutics Inc. Tower 19: Alva Elliot Partners On Behalf Of Good Day Farm LLC Tower 19: K&L Gates O/B/O Clark Street Associates O/B/O Lattice Semiconductor Tower 19: K&L Gates On Behalf Of Ansys, Inc. Tower 19: K&L Gates On Behalf Of Astranis Space Technology Corporation
Animal Defenders International US Inc.: Animal Defenders International US Inc. Funk & Bolton: Tobacco Free Kids Action Fund
A message from the National Confectioners Association:
In 2017, America’s leading chocolate and candy companies joined forces in a landmark agreement to help consumers manage their sugar intake. In a commitment to Partnership for a Healthier America, these companies set an ambitious goal to provide more transparency, create more portion guidance options in innovative packaging and educate consumers about how unique products like chocolate and candy can be an occasional treat in a balanced lifestyle. The companies exceeded their commitment, empowering consumers to make informed choices and driving directional alignment within the broader confectionery industry. In fact, 85% of chocolate and candy sold today comes in packaging that contains 200 calories or less per pack – whether that’s individually wrapped products or multipacks that contain smaller packages inside. Learn more at AlwaysATreat.com.