Bottom Line: IOM adds House appropriations staffer to defend federal funding
Foreign Affairs
The United Nations’ International Organization for Migration (IOM) hired Cornerstone Government Affairs to educate members on IOM and lobby for “consistent core funding in the FY 2025 appropriations cycle,” according to a new disclosure. Congress barred funding to the UN’s Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) as part of a foreign aid bill earlier this year, putting the agency responsible for “humane and orderly migration” on the defensive.
To aid in that effort, IOM has enlisted the help of Steve Marchese, who previously spent 21 years on the House Appropriations Committee.
Defense
Lockheed Martin hired Cozen O'Connor Public Strategies to lobby on issues related to defense policy and procurement. Lockheed Martin was the federal government’s largest contractor in 2022, according to the most recent data available on SAM.gov, and was one of the top 20 spenders on federal lobbying last year, according to the money in politics tracking nonprofit OpenSecrets. Former Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) will work on the account.
Telecommunications
Comcast hired Miller Strategies to lobby on issues related to telecommunications, broadband policy, internet regulation, intellectual property and competition policy. One of the lobbyists on the account is Ashley Gunn, who was previously special assistant to the president and senior director of cabinet affairs during the Trump administration.
Trade
The Canadian American Business Council hired Burke Consulting to lobby on issues related to U.S.-Canada trade and commerce. The lobbyist on the account is Elizabeth Burke, who previously worked for Senate Appropriations Chairwoman Patty Murray (D-Wash.).
Education
Atlanta Public Schools hired Holland & Knight to lobby on K-12 policy and federal grant funding. Robert Bradner, whose resume includes a stint as chief of staff and counsel to former Rep. John Porter (R-Ill.), former chairman of a House Appropriations subcommittee