Meet the K Streeter who knows what Susan Cole just went through

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Oct 30, 2023 View in browser   By Caitlin Oprysko With Daniel Lippman THE HOUSE READING CLERK-TURNED-LOBBYIST: House Republicans’ slog to elect, depose and elect House speakers this year has made minor celebrities of some of the chamber’s staffers — those who are normally bit players that keep House business humming outside the glare of the partisan spotlight. — House reading clerk Susan Cole became a viral sensation on social media thanks to her deadpan demeanor amid the chaos, serving as an impartial adjudicator as she narrated roll call vote after roll call vote after roll call vote during Kevin McCarthy’s 15 tries in January, and again during the speakership fight this month. — Though Cole told ​​Scripps News reporter Nathaniel Reed that she was surprised by the sudden fame, proclaiming that “I’m just Susan,” the prospect comes with the territory — especially in the age of social media — according to Joe Novotny, one of Cole’s most recent predecessors. — Novotny, who served as House reading clerk from 2010 to 2021, has parlayed that experience and insight into parliamentary procedure into a career on K Street, where he lobbies for clients like Missouri State University and the National Milk Producers Federation at Husch Blackwell Strategies. He chatted with PI last week about what it’s like being in such a singular role. — “It sort of humanizes the institution in a different way,” Novotny offered as a potential explanation of what it is about the role that captivates C-SPAN nerds and non-politics watchers alike. — Each party actually appoints their own clerk, but “even though we have our affiliations, our jobs are effectively nonpartisan,” Novotny said, which jumps out against the backdrop of partisan infighting. “People do pick up on that — it is that thing of, you know … you are impartial, and you're not taking sides, you're there to announce and to do the work.” — The imperturbable manner of delivery also helps, he added, especially when tensions are running high — like during the speaker battle or, say, reading presidential articles of impeachment, as Novotny did during the Trump administration. It’s not an accident: Novtony had to prepare an audition tape of sorts to submit to then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and clerks are encouraged to work with a speech coach for help with things like enunciation and projection. — “One of the things that members did mention to me, they would tell me things like, ‘Oh, when you're up there, you have a calming effect,’ And you sort of can have a moment to sort of neutralize some of the energy a little bit,” said Novotny, who experienced his fair share of viral moments while in the job. — “What happens is that you are on TV — and especially now with social media and the internet — you do get more attention, and it gets noticed more readily,” he told PI, adding that he’d try not to “get too wrapped up and in the attention, because as public servants, we wanted to really just always continue to put the work first and the job first.” — In his new role, Novtony will still get recognized by Hill staff, even if they can’t place him right away. “It happens quite a lot,” he said, adding that it’s fun “that it's sort of like the lightbulb goes off.” Asked whether he had any advice for Cole, Novtony pointed out that “she was there before I arrived and she's still there — Susan knows totally what she's doing.” Happy Monday and welcome to PI. Send K Street tips, gossip and unsubstantiated rumors for us to chase down: coprysko@politico.com. And be sure to follow me on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter: @caitlinoprysko.   GET READY FOR POLITICO’S DEFENSE SUMMIT ON 11/14: Russia’s war on Ukraine … China’s threats to Taiwan … a war in Gaza. The U.S. is under increasing pressure to deter, defend and fight in more ways — but not everyone agrees how. Join POLITICO's 3rd Annual Defense Summit on November 14 for exclusive interviews and expert discussions on global security and the U.S.'s race to bolster alliances and stay ahead of adversaries. Explore critical topics, including international conflicts, advanced technology, spending priorities and political dynamics shaping global defense strategies. Don’t miss these timely and important discussions. REGISTER HERE.     JOHNSON BLESSES GOP MONEY MACHINE: “Freshly minted Speaker Mike Johnson announced on Monday that he is ‘wholeheartedly’ endorsing the Congressional Leadership Fund, keeping in place the existing infrastructure and team at the super PAC,” which spent $250 million last cycle to help Republicans retake control of the House, per POLITICO’s Ally Mutnick. — “His decision sends an important signal to Republican donors spooked by the chaos in the House that there will be continuity in one major campaign entity. The group’s president, Dan Conston, who was a top McCarthy lieutenant, will stay on for at least through the 2024 election.” — “The new speaker joined Conston for CLF donor meetings in Las Vegas over the weekend, just days after securing the gavel, on a trip that coincided with the Republican Jewish Coalition gathering there.” — “Conston has led the group since the 2020 cycle. He has extensive experience fundraising and personal relationships with key donors that have helped the group smash its own records. He is also well-known by many vulnerable GOP incumbents.” — Though the new speaker “could have chosen to elevate his own political associates over a close ally of McCarthy,” he “was not a prolific fundraiser nor did he have a large political operation to tap. He is choosing to lean heavily on the existing structure at the Congressional Leadership Fund.” INSIDE THE LOBBYING BLITZ TO SAVE ISRAELI HOSTAGES: “A few days after Israeli soldiers knocked on his door near Tel Aviv to tell him that his son had been captured by Hamas, Ruby Chen hopped on a plane to New York. He’s been patiently retelling his story ever since: outside the United Nations Tuesday, in all-day meetings with members of Congress from both parties Thursday, to Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday,” the Los Angeles Times’ Noah Bierman writes. — All last week, Chen “met with the FBI, State Department negotiators and New York City officials.” On Friday, Chen spoke at a D.C. synagogue to “a congregation gathering under heavy security for Sabbath evening services” after blanketing the Capitol earlier in the week with a dozen other families of American hostages. — “Chen does not stop answering questions. Keeping his 19-year-old son, Itay, in the public eye is too important. He asks the lawmakers and reporters he meets to imagine how they’d feel if their own child were held hostage.” — “He and the other families believe the U.S. can leverage influence with partners in the region ‘to solve this humanitarian issue as soon as possible’ and free the 10 Americans among more than 200 hostages being held by Hamas. An aerospace lobbyist with American and Israeli clients who is working with the group said the attention is their best hope and that they were making plans to sustain it.” ON THE AIRWAVES: The American Council of Engineering Companies is rolling out a national campaign this week pushing lawmakers to hash out a deal by the end of this year to allow businesses to once again immediately deduct their research and development expenses. — The trade group is pumping six figures into an ad buy to go along with a grassroots campaign (that included a fly-in last month) seeking to highlight how small businesses — and engineering firms in particular — are being hit by the tax change. — The amortization requirement, which kicked in beginning last year, has been a top target of the business community for a year-end tax package, the prospects for which are murky given Congress’ tight timeline to move a slew of other must-pass legislation. House Republicans passed a package of bills earlier this year that would fix the R&D issue, but Democrats have demanded that tax cuts for business be paired with a Child Tax Credit expansion. — ACEC is framing the issue as crucial to infrastructure and clean energy investments Democrats have lauded, in an apparent nod to the partisan split. “Engineers are innovating the solutions that will build a stronger American future. But tax changes are stifling the spark of innovation, holding back the dreamers, doers and builders from the discoveries that will reshape our future,” a narrator says in the group’s ad, which will air nationally on CNN, Fox News and MSNBC and on streaming platforms, with additional spots inside the Beltway through November. ANNALS OF SPORTSWASHING: Rep. Jack Bergman (R-Mich.) is using the war in Israel to ramp up pressure on Monumental Sports and Entertainment, which owns D.C.’s pro basketball and hockey franchises, and pro sports leagues over the decision to greenlight an investment from Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund, Daniel reports. — In nearly identical letters to Monumental Sports CEO Ted Leonsis and the commissioners of the NBA and NHL sent Friday, Bergman wrote that the deal, which gives the Qatar Investment Authority a 5 percent stake in the Washington Wizards’ and Washington Capitals’ parent company, was not only "misguided but dangerous" because of Qatar’s support for Hamas. — Bergman also pointed to Qatar’s robust roster of lobbyists and financial support of some of Washington’s top think tanks, adding that if the deal goes through, all three organizations would be providing Qatar with “an incredibly powerful new tool to strengthen the tiny emirate’s grip on Washington, D.C. even further.” Earlier this month, Monumental spokesperson Anu Rangappa told The Daily Wire that the deal with Qatar had closed already. — The lawmaker went on to threaten a congressional probe of the organizations if they did not cut ties with Qatar. Monumental external affairs president Monica Dixon wrote in a response letter to Bergman on Monday that said that the company "fully supported Israel's right to defend itself in accordance with international law" and that Qatar's minority investment was passive, adding "QIA has no governance rights and no ability to direct, control or influence our teams or our business." NHL senior executive vice president David Zimmerman noted in a response to Bergman that the State Department said Qatar is "an ally and strategic partner" and that the league had condemned the Hamas attack. He also said the investment by QIA was "infinitesimal." Spokespeople for the NBA and the Qatar Investment Authority didn't respond to requests for comment. Jobs Report — Leadership for Educational Equity has named Mildred Otero its first president. She was previously senior vice president of national impact and is a Senate HELP and Gates Foundation alum. — Kate Constantini has been promoted to be director of communications at With Honor. — Ketan Bhirud has joined Cozen O’Connor’s state attorneys general practice group. Hewas previously at Troutman Pepper and is an alum of the Nevada attorney general’s office. — Sean Tierney joined the Institute for Higher Education Policy as its new director of research and policy. Tierney most recently served as an associate commissioner at the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, where he oversaw the postsecondary portion of the state’s longitudinal data system. — The American Trucking Associations promoted Bill Sullivan to chief public affairs and advocacy officer, Rich Pianka to chief legal officer and general counsel, Mike Doran to senior vice president of membership and allied partnerships, Henry Hanscom to deputy senior vice president of legislative affairs, Dan Horvath to senior vice president of regulatory affairs and safety policy, and Alex Rosen to vice president of advocacy. — Arnold Ventures has named Kristine Grow, who most recently led community and strategy for insurance industry group AHIP, as its new vice president of communications. — Kate Ruane is joining the Center for Democracy & Technology as director of its Free Expression Project. She most recently was director of the U.S. Free Expression Programs at PEN America. — Riley Nelson will be senior manager of communications and marketing at Meridian International Center. She previously was senior comms manager at the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation. — Monument Advocacy has added Nicole Rodgers Houston as head of marketing and brand strategy. She was previously director of marketing and business development at Offit Kurman. The firm also promoted Joseph Hoefer to principal. New Joint Fundraisers Battlefield Fund 2023 (Rep. Jim Banks, Tim Sheehy for Montana, Wendy Davis for Congress, Celeste for Congress, Go With Chuck Goodrich, Inc., Friends of Dave Mccormick) CHS-BSO JFC (Conservatives Harvesting Success PAC, Big Sky Opportunity PAC) Zerqa and Ilhan Victory Fund (Rep. Ilhan Omar, Zerqa Abid for Congress) New PACs Hoosiers for Integrity (Super PAC) Margin of Victory Empowerment Fund (PAC) Nebraska Railroaders for Public Safety (Super PAC) OVRSITE PAC (PAC) Somali American Political Action Committee (PAC) New Lobbying REGISTRATIONS Fidelis Government Relations: Lok Child Care Center New Lantern, LLC: Forge, Inc. O'Keeffe Shahmoradi Strategies, LLC: Qualcomm Incorporated Todd Strategy Group: Illumina, Inc. New Lobbying Terminations 38 North Solutions, LLC: Advanced Energy Management Alliance Family Policy Alliance: Family Policy Alliance Meridian Government Relations: Arizona Hospital And Healthcare Association Meridian Government Relations: North Dakota Hospital Association O'Keeffe Shahmoradi Strategies, LLC: Atrium Health Venable LLP: Muscogee (Creek) Nation   PLAYBOOK IS GOING GLOBAL! 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