DOJ asks Sidley Austin to register Hikvision work under FARA

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Oct 17, 2022 View in browser   By Caitlin Oprysko Presented by With Daniel Lippman FARA UNIT ASKS SIDLEY TO REGISTER HIKVISION WORK: Sidley Austin has registered retroactively under FARA for its lobbying on behalf of the U.S. subsidiary of Hikvision , the Chinese video surveillance company accused of helping the communist government monitor Muslim minorities, after the law firm was being ordered to do so by the Justice Department. — The firm filed documents with the DOJ on Friday to register its work on behalf of the company, which a Sidley spokesperson said was "solely in response to a request from the FARA Unit." Sidley Austin has represented Hikvision since 2018 as the company sought to beat back a potential blacklisting by the Trump administration, but the firm had been availing itself of FARA's Lobbying Disclosure Act exemption, the spokesperson told PI, and registered its work under more opaque domestic lobbying laws. — Hikvision, which denies U.S. charges that its equipment has been used to surveil detention camps holding Uyghur Muslims in China's Xinjiang region, has faced penalties in the U.S. on a number of fronts since then. Last summer, Hikvision was named in an executive order banning investment in Chinese firms linked to the country's military, building on a designation issued by the Pentagon the prior year. The Commerce Department had previously subjected Hikvision to export controls. — Earlier this year, the Biden administration was reportedly weighing human rights-related sanctions on the company , though that has yet to occur. Axios, which first reported Sidley's FARA registration, reported last week that Hikvision was among several Chinese tech and telecom firms facing imminent FCC restrictions on sales of its products. — That's in spite of the company's high-powered and high-paid team of lobbyists and PR professionals. Hikvision has paid Sidley Austin nearly $7.5 million over the past four years, lobbying disclosures show. Days after news of the potential Magnitsky Act sanctions broke, it hired Drew Willison, a former chief of staff to the late Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid and a former Senate sergeant at arms who also registered under the LDA. — The company also retains Mercury Public Affairs, where its team includes former GOP Sen. David Vitter, former Rep. Toby Moffett and Peter Kucik , a former Treasury official working in the Office of Foreign Assets Control, which oversees U.S. sanctions. Hikvision has paid Mercury more than $5.5 million since 2015, according to DOJ filings. The company also retains public affairs firm BCW. A message from Altria: Moving beyond smoking. Altria's companies are leading the way in moving adult smokers away from cigarettes – by taking action to transition millions toward less harmful choices. We are investing in a diverse mix of businesses to broaden options beyond traditional, combustible cigarettes. See how we're moving.   Good afternoon and welcome to PI. Send tips: coprysko@politico.com . And be sure to follow me on Twitter: @caitlinoprysko . FORMER BRADY LAWYERS TAKE GUN CONTROL FIGHT ABROAD: "Former top lawyers at the gun control advocacy organization Brady have formed a new gun policy venture. And they're registering as foreign agents of the Mexican government as part of it," POLITICO's Hailey Fuchs and Myah Ward write. — "The new advocacy group, Global Action on Gun Violence , aims to address cross-border gun trafficking from the U.S., according to filings with the Department of Justice. The group, which has not yet formally launched, intends to represent foreign governments or others rallying against the gun industry," and is led by Jonathan Lowy, "the former chief counsel at Brady who directed the organization's legal arm for years." — The move "represents a major shift in the world of gun policy advocacy. Lowy has been a key player at Brady, which has helped wage some of the most high-profile legislative fights around gun control but primarily in Washington, D.C., and statehouses. The launch of the new group underscores how the theater for action has expanded globally." — "Earlier this month, Global Action on Gun Violence quietly filed paperwork with the DOJ under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, with Lowy and Elizabeth Burke, who was also an attorney at Brady, registering as agents of Mexico. Brady, for its part, was hesitant to dive into work that would fall under the foreign influence law, its Chief Operating Officer Susan Lavington said." — "Global Action on Gun Violence filed a lawsuit in Arizona against U.S. gun dealers on behalf of Mexico earlier this month. The lawsuit alleges that the companies 'choose to sell guns using reckless and unlawful practices, despite the foreseeability — indeed, virtual certainty — that they are thereby helping cause deadly cartel violence across the border.'" But Lowy said "the goal was to go beyond litigation, suggesting that the group would lobby around legislation and regulation of gun companies on behalf of foreign governments or people outside the U.S." SOLAR SEES AN OPPORTUNITY IN HURRICANE SHOWING: "Hurricanes Fiona and Ian caused catastrophic flooding, knocked out power lines and washed away roads and bridges. But people who could afford solar panels and batteries say those systems kept the lights on during the storms, and even allowed them to share electricity with neighbors left in the dark." — "Now, that performance during natural disasters offers ammunition to the solar industry in its lobbying fights with lawmakers, regulators and traditional power companies as renewable energy seeks to accelerate its growing role in the U.S. electricity supply," POLITICO's Gloria Gonzalez, Kelsey Tamborrino and Catherine Morehouse report. "Such fights have held up solar's expansion in jurisdictions across the U.S., including in Puerto Rico and Florida." — "'I wish we never had to have this proof point,' said Abigail Ross Hopper, CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association. But she said the hurricanes have shown that renewables paired with battery storage are a reliable form of energy." — Much of the power grid in both Florida and Puerto Rico, where the storms knocked out power for millions of customers, "bounced back faster than it had after some past hurricanes, in part because of efforts in Florida to harden power networks by burying power lines and replacing wooden poles with steel or concrete. But solar power was especially critical for many residents." — "Some independent energy analysts said the storm could boost interest in solar power in states like Florida — and may play a role in legislative fights about economic incentives for the technology."   A message from Altria:   CRAVATH ADDS FTC COMMISSIONER: Noah Phillips, who stepped down Friday from his post as an FTC commissioner, is joining Cravath, Swaine & Moore's new Washington office to co-chair the law firm's antitrust practice. Phillips joined the commission in 2018 after serving as an aide to Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and was previously a litigator at Cravath. — The Republican commissioner's absence won't have a major impact on the agency's partisan balance. But his return to Cravath adds even more firepower to a firm whose antitrust practice already includes Christine Varney, former President Barack Obama's first DOJ antitrust chief, and Katherine Forrest , a top antitrust litigator and former federal judge, at a time when antitrust is one of Washington's hottest-button issues. IF YOU MISSED IT OVER THE WEEKEND: "Outside groups have poured more than $1.3 billion into the 2022 federal midterm elections , surpassing the nominal — not adjusted for inflation — 2018 midterm election record with 25 days left until the Nov. 8 general election," OpenSecrets' Taylor Giorno reports. — "Outside spending has sharply trended upward each election cycle following the Supreme Court's landmark Citizens United v. FEC decision in 2010. Super PACs, political committees that can raise unlimited sums from corporations, unions and individuals but are prohibited from coordinating with parties or candidates, make up the overwhelming majority of outside spending." — "The 2018 election was the first midterm cycle in which federal outside spending surpassed $1 billion. Outside spending on U.S. House and Senate races surpassed $2.2 billion during the 2020 election cycle. It is not out of the question for federal outside spending on 2022 midterm elections to exceed the current record set during the 2020 election cycle."   NEW AND IMPROVED POLITICO APP: Stay up to speed with the newly updated POLITICO mobile app, featuring timely political news, insights and analysis from the best journalists in the business. With a fresh look and improved features, the sleek and navigable design offers a convenient way to access POLITICO's scoops and groundbreaking reporting. Don't miss out on the app you can rely on for the news you need, reimagined. Already a POLITICO app user? Upgrade today! DOWNLOAD FOR iOS  – DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID .     Jobs Report — Rob Imig has joined Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue as a senior industry fellow. Imig was most recently a senior architect for federal research and development at Palantir. — Cameron Lynch has been promoted to be senior vice president and head of global corporate affairs at Fresenius Medical Care. — Karen Lawson has been promoted to executive vice president for policy and supervision at the Conference of State Bank Supervisors , per Morning Money. She joined CSBS in 2021 as a senior vice president. — Ed Frank is now policy communications director at the Consumer Technology Association, Morning Tech reports, and John Mitchell is CTA's new senior manager of government affairs. — Joe Kalmin is now senior director of government affairs at Food Allergy Research & Education. He previously was a legislative assistant at the Livingston Group. — Sarah Treuhaft is now senior director of policy and partnerships at The New School's Institute on Race, Power, and Political Economy. She previously was vice president of research at PolicyLink. — Rich Davidson is now director for strategic communication at the Atlantic Council, Huddle reports. He previously was communications director for Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.). A message from Altria: Moving beyond smoking. Altria's companies are leading the way in moving adult smokers away from cigarettes. Today, we are taking action to transition millions toward less harmful choices. From cigarettes to innovative alternatives. By investing in a diverse mix of businesses, Altria is working to further broaden options. Our companies are encouraging adult smokers to transition to a range of choices that go beyond traditional, combustible cigarettes. From tobacco company to tobacco harm reduction company. And while Altria is moving forward to reduce harm, we are not moving alone. We are working closely with FDA and other regulatory bodies, and will work strictly under their framework. See how we're moving.   New Joint Fundraisers Aadland Victory Fund (Aadland for Colorado, Colorado Republican Committee) New PACs ACT - Democratic Victory Fund 2022 (PAC) Alaska March On (PAC) AMERICAN RESOLVE PAC, INC. (Super PAC) Cedar Key Progress (Super PAC) FAIRNESS FIRST (Super PAC) Hawaii Operating Engineers Industry Stabilization Fund SSF (PAC) New Lobbying Registrations Atlantic Strategies Group LLC: Mag Aerospace Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP: Adcom Technologies LLC Jpc Strategies, LLC Dba As Gentium Strategies: City Of Abilene, Tx Kiley & Associates: City Of Concord Kiley & Associates: City Of Lomita Kiley & Associates: City Of Maywood Kiley & Associates: City Of Paramount New Lobbying Terminations Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld: Fireeye, Inc. Allon Advocacy, LLC: The Alliance For Innovative Regulation Alva Elliott Partners, LLC: Tower 19 On Behalf Of Oak View Group, LLC American Capitol Group: Bell Legal Group American Capitol Group: Frontier Scientific Atlantic Strategies Group LLC: Envistacom, LLC Atlantic Strategies Group LLC: Logos Technologies, LLC Atlantic Strategies Group LLC: Tactical Air Support, Inc. Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz /The Daschle Group: Thales Defense & Security Inc Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP: Cim Group Capitol Counsel LLC: Akin Gump On Behalf Of The Alliance For Trade Enforcement (Afte) Center For Law And Social Policy (Clasp): Center For Law And Social Policy (Clasp) Charles F Fuller / The Results Company, Inc.: The Bell Legal Group Cornerstone Government Affairs, Inc.: Harmonia Holdings Group, LLC Cornerstone Government Affairs, Inc.: The Michael J. Fox Foundation For Parkinson's Research Cornerstone Government Affairs, Inc.: University Of St. Thomas Cornerstone Government Affairs, Inc.: Vyripharm Enterprises, Inc. Govbiz Advantage, Inc.: Bell And Lindsay (For Hc Logics) Govbiz Advantage, Inc.: Sagamore Develpment Corporation Hettinger Strategy Group LLC: J.A. Green And Company (Formerly LLC) On Behalf Of Tanium, Inc. Hogan Lovells US LLP: Polyisocyanierate Insulation Manufacturers Association Hogan Lovells US LLP: Television Association Of Programmers Latin America Hogan Lovells US LLP: Toyota Motor North America Holland & Knight LLP: Blandford Biotech Corporation Holland & Knight LLP: Cnx Resources Corporation Holland & Knight LLP: Zovio Inc Hollis Public Affairs: Univision Communications, Inc. Hurt Norton LLC: Georgia Ports Authority Invariant LLC: Volansi K&L Gates, LLP: American Pyrotechnics Association K&L Gates, LLP: City Of Atwater, California Kountoupes Denham Carr & Reid, LLC: Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, Inc., USa Kountoupes Denham Carr & Reid, LLC: Skyscanner Limited Materials Research Society: Materials Research Society Mlj Strategies: Ankura Consulting Group, LLC On Behalf Of Willco Tech LLC Mrgb Consulting, LLC: Crow Creek Sioux Tribe Mr. Rex Sherry: Clark Street Associates On Behalf Of Arris Composites Mr. Rex Sherry: Clark Street Associates On Behalf Of Fungible Inc. Richard J. Leidl, P.C.: City Of New Braunfels, Texas Rtk Consulting Group: Lifecare 2.0 Ryan Costello Strategies: Cardiol Therapeutics Squire Patton Boggs: Pmi Global Services Inc Stonington Global: Moshe Margareten Stonington Global: Rotislav Pukshansky Strategic Marketing Innovations: Binera, Inc. The Consilio Group: Ideal Innovations Inc The O Team LLC: Discovery Communications, LLC The O Team LLC: Orchard View Sports And Entertainment, LLC Tiber Creek Group: Chubb Ina Holdings Inc Tiber Creek Group: Infusystems Holdings, Inc. Tiber Creek Group: Managed Funds Association   SUBSCRIBE TO POWER SWITCH: The energy landscape is profoundly transforming. Power Switch is a daily newsletter that unlocks the most important stories driving the energy sector and the political forces shaping critical decisions about your energy future, from production to storage, distribution to consumption. Don't miss out on Power Switch, your guide to the politics of energy transformation in America and around the world. SUBSCRIBE TODAY .       Follow us

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