Bottom Line: Recording industry group signs fresh lobbying talent

Taylor Giorno
·2 min read

Trade

The Recording Industry Association of America hired Colton Street Group to lobby on issues related to intellectual property protection in trade negotiations and artistic copyrights. The recording industry group adds to its expansive lobbying operation: The association has already spent $5 million on federal lobbying during the first nine months of 2023, according to OpenSecrets data. John O’Neill, former tax counsel on the Senate Finance Committee, will work on the account.

Glass

Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck registered to lobby members of Congress and Treasury Department officials “regarding a rule to provide a level playing field for glass packaging of spirits-based products” on behalf of the ​Glass Packing Institute. One of the lobbyists on the account is Russell Sullivan, former staff director and chief counsel on the Senate Finance Committee.

Artificial intelligence

Brownstein was also hired by ​Palantir Technologies to lobby on government programs relating to artificial intelligence. The data mining and software company contracted by several major government agencies was co-founded by PayPal founder and Republican mega-donor Peter Thiel. Lobbyists on the account include Ari Zimmerman, a former professional staff member on the House Armed Services Committee, and William Duhnke, former staff director and general counsel on the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Batteries

The U.S. Battery Machine Builders hired Venn Strategies to lobby on funding and tax incentives for American-made battery machines and equipment. Ben Steinberg, whose resume includes stints as chief of staff and senior adviser at the Department of Energy, will work on the account.

Advocacy

​Public Citizen hired Pioneer Public Affairs to advocate on issues related to agency deference, consumer protections and climate change. In addition to annual appropriations bills, the firm disclosed plans to work on legislation including the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2023, a bill that passed the Republican-led House this summer that would require congressional approval of certain “major” executive agency rulemaking. Public Citizen has opposed the legislation. Charlie Ellsworth, a former budget and appropriations legislative assistant to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), will work on the account.

Health

The ​New Venture Fund hired Manatt, Phelps, and Phillips to lobby on health policy issues. This is the third firm to register to lobby on behalf of the left-leaning group, which does not voluntarily disclose its donors, so far this year. Cindy Mann, former deputy administrator at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and director of the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services, will work on the account.

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