Bottom Line: Boeing builds out federal lobbying operation as scrutiny intensifies
Aviation
The embattled aircraft giant Boeing hired The Doerrer Group to lobby on issues related to commercial airplanes. Boeing has been under fire since the door plug on a 737 Max 9 plane blew off shortly after an Alaska Airlines flight took off on Jan. 5, with two Senate committees holding hearings last Wednesday on the company’s “broken safety culture.” Paul Doerrer, a former professional staffer on the Senate Appropriations Committee, will work on the account.
Finance
The Blackstone Group hired Colton Street Group to lobby on issues related to financial services, business taxes and music policy. The lobbyist on the account is John O'Neill, former tax counsel on the Senate Finance Committee.
Invariant registered to lobby on issues related to predictive data analytics, electronic delivery, equity market structure on behalf of the investing giant Charles Schwab. Jennifer Jacoby, a former lobbyist for the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA), will work on the account.
Apparel
Shein Technology Group hired Missy Edwards Strategies to lobby on issues related to the fashion and apparel industry, e-commerce and “general education regarding SHIENs presence.” The fast fashion giant spun up its lobbying operation at the end of 2022 amid allegations that some of its clothes were made by forced labor.
Missy Edwards, who was previously director of development and finance at the National Republican Senatorial Committee and a legislative assistant to former Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), will work on the account.
Commerce
iHeart Media hired Sidley Austin LLP to lobby on antitrust issues related to media contracts. One of the lobbyists on the account is Michael Borden, former senior counsel on the House Financial Services Committee.
The broadcasting giant was recently embroiled in a campaign finance controversy after donating more than $630,000 to a super PAC supporting Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), the ranking member of the Senate Commerce Committee tasked with overseeing the communications industry. While super PACs are not legally allowed to coordinate with campaigns, the company’s donations raised eyebrows because they still benefit the senator, who is running for reelection.
Environment
The Fire Island Association, the nonprofit organization that represents the interests of the popular destination off the coast of Long Island, hired Actum to lobby on issues related to beach replenishment and the Water Resources Development Act. One of the lobbyists on the account is John Tomlin, former deputy chief of staff to New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins.