Former GOP Head Teams Up to Safeguard Food Programs: Here’s the Lowdown

Agriculture

The food insecurity nonprofit ​Feeding Alabama hired Maynard Nexsen PC to advise on farm bill reauthorization and advocate for nutrition programs. Feeding Alabama is part of Feeding America, the national nonprofit that has been leading the fight against Republican-led efforts to cut nutrition programs — including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) —during the protracted farm bill reauthorization process. One of the lobbyists on the account is Donald “Dayne” Cutrell, previously a top aide to former Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), who retired in January 2023.

Defense

Palantir Technologies hired Anchor & Arrow Strategies to lobby on issues related to defense policy and appropriations. Palantir has beefed up its defense lobbying operation in recent months, bringing on two other firms at the end of 2023 to lobby on defense appropriations and procurement as well as government programs related to artificial intelligence. John Noonan, a former professional staffer on the House Armed Services Committee and national security adviser to Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), will work on the account.

Education

The Raben Group registered to lobby on issues related to teacher preparation programs and appropriations for the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education. One of the lobbyists on the account is Michael Yudin, who previously served as the assistant secretary for special education and rehabilitation services and as acting assistant secretary for elementary and secondary education at the Department of Education.

Broadcasting

Gorshein Public Policy filed paperwork to end lobbying work for Sinclair less than two months after registering to lobby on media and copyright issues. Doron Gorshein, chief operating officer of Sinclair Networks, a division of Sinclair, reported no lobbying activity on behalf of the broadcasting giant during that period.

Tax

Hollier & Associates registered to lobby on issues related to the reauthorization of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, international tax proposals and general healthcare policy for the medical device company Boston Scientific. One of the lobbyists on the account is William Hollier, former chief of staff to Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), ranking member on the Senate Finance Committee and a member of the Joint Committee on Taxation.

Technology

Comcast Corporation hired Fierce Government Relations to lobby on issues related to broadband, spectrum policy and privacy. Aleix Jarvis, former legislative director for Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), will work on the account.