Saab nabs Senate approps veteran

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Mar 05, 2024 View in browser   By Caitlin Oprysko Presented by the National Association of Broadcasters With Daniel Lippman APPROPS STAFFER MOVING TO SAAB: Chris Cook, a veteran budget and appropriations staffer, is leaving the Hill to join European defense and aerospace giant Saab as director of government affairs. — Cook has spent the past seven years as a professional staffer for Republicans on the Senate Appropriations subcommittee overseeing DHS spending, and for more than a decade before that worked for the Senate Budget Committee, for former Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), and at OMB in the George W. Bush administration. — In addition to bringing on Cook, Saab is expanding the role of another member of its D.C. office, Jana Murphy, who serves as senior vice president of corporate affairs. In addition to communications and government affairs, Murphy will now work on business development for the company. MORE BUSINESS GROUPS SIGN ON TO CHALLENGE GIG WORKER RULE: Some of Washington’s biggest trade associations have joined a legal challenge seeking to overturn the Biden administration’s newly finalized rule making it more difficult for companies to classify workers as independent contractors and therefore not covered by the federal law that governs minimum wage, overtime pay and other benefits. — In an amended complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas today, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Federation of Independent Business, National Retail Federation and American Trucking Associations argued that the rule, which was finalized in January and is set to go into effect next week, “will irreparably harm not just companies employing independent contractors nationwide, but the workers themselves.” — The trade groups joined a lawsuit that was originally filed in 2021 by the Coalition for Workforce Innovation, whose members include rideshare companies Uber and Lyft, the Associated Builders and Contractors and the Financial Services Institute. — At the time, the lawsuit (successfully) sought to block the Biden administration from repealing a more industry-friendly worker classification rule from the Trump administration. The groups moved to revive that case earlier this year, arguing in today’s amended complaint that the new independent contractor rule “replicates the fatal flaws of its previously invalidated rulemaking,” including by allegedly failing to follow administrative procedures, even as gig companies had a relatively tepid reaction to the new rule. Happy Tuesday, and welcome to PI. Send K Street tips and gossip: coprysko@politico.com. And be sure to follow me on the platform formerly known as Twitter: @caitlinoprysko.   On the ground in Albany. Get critical policy news and analysis inside New York State. Track how power brokers are driving change across legislation and budget and impacting lobbying efforts. Learn more.     FLYING IN: The Catholic Health Association and the March of Dimes are partnering up for a set of advocacy days on Capitol Hill, Megan R. Wilson reports. The two advocacy organizations are having meetings with policymakers and staff today and tomorrow to push for measures that would support maternal health and aim to reduce premature births and infant mortality. They're also asking Congress to provide increased funding for food assistance programs in the upcoming funding bills. — The Colorectal Cancer Alliance has kicked off a fly-in as well to lobby for dedicated funding for colorectal cancer research within the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs. Michael Sapienza, the group’s chief executive, will meet with the offices of nearly 20 congressional appropriators, including Reps. Hal Rogers (R-Ky.), Ken Calvert (R-Calif.) and Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), and Sens. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.). — The American Society of Association Executives, which represents trade association professionals, has flown in 100 of them to lobby on workforce development bills. Association leaders are set to meet with Senate Banking Chair Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and members of the Senate Finance Committee and House Ways and Means Committee, including Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Reps. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.) and Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.). ANOTHER TIKTOK THREAT: A bipartisan group of House lawmakers introduced a new bill today that would ban TikTok from U.S. app stores unless the popular video platform is sold, our Rebecca Kern writes, with a committee markup set for Thursday. — “Reps. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) — the chair and ranking member of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party — are leading the bill along with 17 cosponsors, including members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee like Reps. Kathy Castor (D-Fla.), Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) and Bob Latta (R-Ohio).” — The new proposal “comes just weeks after President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign joined the app — spurring criticism from conservative lawmakers who raise data security concerns with TikTok’s Beijing-based owner ByteDance. TikTok has poured millions of dollars into lobbying efforts to build support on Capitol Hill after CEO Shou Chew faced a bruising hearing last March before the House Energy and Commerce Committee.” — “Tuesday’s bill would breathe new life into stalled efforts in Congress to ban the app. The legislation gives the president authority — after notifying Congress — to require divestment of an app if it is determined to be controlled by a foreign adversary, or face a ban on U.S.-based app stores or web hosting sites. The bill claims ByteDance fits this criteria. The legislation only applies to apps controlled by China, Russia, Iran and North Korea, according to a Select Committee aide.” SUPER TUESDAY ROUND UP: ”A group of the Republican Party’s most prominent megadonors are pouring millions of dollars into a handful of primaries in deep-red congressional districts — part of a bid to influence the makeup of the House GOP conference after a difficult and conflict-ridden year,” NBC News’ Bridget Bowman and CNBC’s Brian Schwartz report. — “With the political world’s attention focused on the presidential election, two super PACs financed by a small group of donors quietly spent over $6 million against five Republicans running for House seats in Super Tuesday primaries, according to Federal Election Commission records.” — “The super PACs, Conservatives for American Excellence and America Leads Action, have targeted candidates who are either endorsed by the political arm of the hard-right House Freedom Caucus or would align with the caucus, which has been a thorn in GOP leadership’s side since it launched in 2015.” The big money effort seems aimed at ensuring the caucus’ “ability to tank legislation or threaten speakers doesn’t grow in the next Congress.” — Those financing the super PACs include Citadel’s Ken Griffin, Stephens Inc.’s Warren Stephens, SnapAV’s Jay Faison and Walmart heir Rob Walton. — Meanwhile, our Jasper Goodman dives into how today’s wave of primaries will be “the first big test of the cryptocurrency industry’s effort to rebuild its Washington influence operation” following the implosion of FTX and short-lived political kingmaker Sam Bankman-Fried. — “A network of super PACs backed by major crypto firms and executives has spent more than $13 million to sway races in California, Texas, Alabama and North Carolina. It’s the largest spend yet from the groups’ $80-plus million war chest.” — “The super PACs — Fairshake, Protect Progress and Defend American Jobs — are aiming to boost crypto allies and take down potential critics. A good showing by the industry’s preferred candidates could signal traction in its fight to build out a roster of lawmakers who are open to crypto-friendly policies.” — The groups’ No. 1 target today is California, where the industry has funded more than $10 million in attacks on Democratic Rep. Katie Porter and her Senate bid, while the super PACs have supported Democratic House candidates in Alabama (Shomari Figures) and Texas (Julie Johnson).   A message from the National Association of Broadcasters: What do Sens. Ed Markey and Ted Cruz agree on? AM radio’s lifesaving role during emergencies. More than 250 Republicans and Democrats in Congress are standing up for AM radio listeners by supporting the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act. This bill will keep AM radio in cars – because when cell and internet services are down, radio could be your only lifeline. It’s time to pass this critical legislation now. Learn more at DependonAM.com.   Jobs Report — Jessica Mackler is now president of EMILYs List. She previously served in that capacity in an interim role and is a DGA, DCCC and American Bridge alum. — Jesse Westbrook has joined Narrative Strategies as managing director. Westbrook is the founder of financial news site Capitol Account and is a Bloomberg alum. — Jared DeWese is now press secretary for NewDEAL Leaders, the center-left national network of state and local leaders. DeWese was most recently deputy communications director for Rep. David Trone’s (D-Md.) Senate campaign and is a Third Way alum. — Marissa Gonzalez is now an account manager at SBS Comms. She was previously a public relations specialist at Six Eastern. — Ryan Tully is now vice president of government relations for Stratolaunch, a hypersonic company owned by Cerberus. He most recently ran European/Russian policy and the Strategic Forces Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee, and is a Trump NSC alum. — Mitchel Herckis is now global head of government affairs at Wiz. He most recently was branch director for federal cybersecurity in the Office of the Federal CIO at OMB. — The New Democrat Coalition Action Fund has added Jon Gonin as political director and Amelia Schouten as a finance assistant. Gonin previously managed Rep. Tom Suozzi’s (D-N.Y.) special election campaign. Schouten was previously at the American Society of Anesthesiologists. — Tom Spence is now a senior adviser at the Heritage Foundation. He previously was president and publisher at Regnery Publishing. — P2 Public Affairs is adding Jordan Wiggins as principal and Lindsey Curnutte as vice president. Wiggins is a Never Back Down and J.D. Vance campaign alum. Curnutte most recently was deputy press secretary and early states spokesperson for Ron DeSantis' presidential campaign and is a Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) and Heritage Action for America alum. — Jonathan Cousimano is now director of federal affairs for California Gov. Gavin Newsom. He previously was senior director for member engagement for the DCCC. — FOVNDRY has added Je’Coven Norwood as a public relations account manager and Morgan Pavey as a marketing associate. Norwood was previously at TJA Public Relations and TAA PR. — Dan Greenwood will become head of BGR Group's defense and critical technologies practice. Before joining BGR in 2022, he worked at the White House Office of Legislative Affairs and was the Marine Corps' head of congressional affairs in the House. — Thomas Zacharia has joined AMD as senior vice president of strategic technology partnerships and public policy, with the goal of expanding strategic AI relationships for AMD, per Morning Tech. — Piper Sandler Companies named Brian White as its co-head of technology investment banking. He was previously a managing director at the investment bank and is a DHS alum. — Sarah Bibeau is now a senior account executive at BerlinRosen. She previously was a press adviser at Third Way. — Jonathan Levenfeld is now a principal on Precision’s comms team. He previously was a senior strategist at West End Strategy Team. — Joseph Damond is now chair of global life sciences at Crowell & Moring International. He previously was global chair of health policy at Edelman Global Advisory. — Lisa LeCointe-Cephas has joined DLA Piper as a partner and chair of its life sciences sector. She was previously a senior vice president at Merck. — Kyle Davis is now senior director of federal affairs at the Clean Energy Buyers Association, Morning Energy reports. He previously was head of federal policy for Enel North America. New Joint Fundraisers Senate IMPACT (Sen. Bob Casey, Rep. Colin Allred, Debbie for Florida) Take Back the House 2024 (Reps. Andrea Salinas, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, Greg Landsman, Josh Riley for Congress, Engel for Arizona, Fair Shot PAC)    A message from the National Association of Broadcasters:   New PACs Fair Chance LLC (Super PAC) THE MAC-PAC (Hybrid PAC) SOUTH CAROLINA PATRIOTS PAC (Super PAC) Voice for New York (Super PAC) Warhammer (Super PAC) New Lobbying REGISTRATIONS Brody Group L.L.C. Public Affairs: Guidetech Brody Group L.L.C. Public Affairs: Tepli Inc. Capitol Hill Policy Group LLC: Kickapoo Traditional Tribe Of Texas Carpi & Clay, Inc: U.S. Composting Council Ghazal & Associates, LLC: Mikel Inc Goldstein Policy Solutions LLC: American Medical Manufacturers Association Horizons Global Solutions LLC: Aflac Jones Walker, LLP: Process Service Specialists Revere Federal Strategies: Antares Industries Revere Federal Strategies: Overland Ai Smith Dawson & Andrews: Village Of South Holland, Il   A message from the National Association of Broadcasters: More than 82 million Americans depend on AM radio for always-on news, sports, talk, traffic and weather. AM radio stations also serve as the backbone of the Emergency Alert System, delivering lifesaving emergency information when your community needs it most. More than 250 members of Congress are supporting the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act to ensure AM radio remains available in cars to keep Americans safe. When cell and internet services fail, free AM radio service is critical. Congress should pass the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act now. Learn more at DependonAM.com.   New Lobbying Terminations Hollier & Associates: National Wildlife Federation Mz Advising, LLC: Roosevelt Group LLC (On Behalf Of Greater Miami Chamber Of Commerce) Mz Advising, LLC: Roosevelt Group LLC (On Behalf Of Matrix Design Group On Behalf Of State Of Ar) Mz Advising, LLC: Roosevelt Group LLC (On Behalf Of Riada) Mz Advising, LLC: Roosevelt Group LLC (On Behalf Of Utah Defense Alliance) Two Branch Strategies: Liberty University   YOUR TICKET INSIDE THE GOLDEN STATE POLITICAL ARENA: California Playbook delivers the latest intel, buzzy scoops and exclusive coverage from Sacramento and Los Angeles to Silicon Valley and across the state. Don't miss out on the daily must-read for political aficionados and professionals with an outsized interest in California politics, policy and power. Subscribe today.       Follow us

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