Bottom Line: Former Texas Democratic congressman registers to lobby on border wall

Trade

On behalf of the City of Del Rio, Texas, ​R.R.P. Consulting Engineers hired Valiant Strategies LLC to lobby on issues related to “the Presidential Permit process for the construction of an international border crossing” near the city. The lobbyist on the account is former Rep. Filemon Vela (D-Texas), who served from 2013 until he resigned from office in 2022.

Socialism

The ​Democratic Socialists of America hired their first federal lobbying firm, J.P. Deese & Associates LLC, to lobby on a range of issues related to labor, unionization and worker cooperatives, economic justice, environmental and climate advocacy, fair housing, LGBTQ+ inclusivity and community development. The lobbyist on the account is Joshua Deese, former national spokesperson for The Trevor Project, according to his LinkedIn.

Music

​Global Music Rights, LLC, which represents musicians in performance licensing of their catalogs, hired NVG LLC to lobby on issues related to songwriter compensation from public performances. One of the lobbyists on the account is Amy Rutkin, former staff director to the House Judiciary Committee, which oversees intellectual property issues including in the music industry. Rutkin was also chief of staff to Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), who is stepping down to make way for fresh leadership on the committee.

Health

The biopharmaceutical company Cytokinetics Inc. hired Farragut Partners to lobby on issues related to health care legislation, regulatory activity and representation. One of the lobbyists on the account is former Rep. Edward Whitfield (R-Ky.), who represented Kentucky’s 1st congressional district from 1995 to 2016.

​Dispose Rx, Inc. hired YC Consulting, LLC to lobby on issues related to the safe elimination of unused prescription drugs. The lobbyist on the account is Yong Choe, former director of business outreach and member services for the Republican Study Committee and a House Energy and Commerce Committee alum.

Government funding

The ​City of Louisville, Ky., hired Harper & Bailey Governmental Solutions LLC to lobby for funding for The Strand theater, roads and drainage and assist with project grant and funding processes. One of the lobbyists on the account is former Rep. Gregg Harper (R-Miss.), who represented Mississippi's 3rd congressional district from 2009 to 2019.