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LOBBYING REPORT |
Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (Section 5) - All Filers Are Required to Complete This Page
2. Address
| Address1 | 504 HEXTON HILL RD. |
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| City | SILVER SPRING |
State | MD |
Zip Code | 20904 |
Country | USA |
3. Principal place of business (if different than line 2)
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5. Senate ID# 77993-12
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6. House ID# 362080000
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| TYPE OF REPORT | 8. Year | 2021 |
Q1 (1/1 - 3/31) | Q2 (4/1 - 6/30) | Q3 (7/1 - 9/30) | Q4 (10/1 - 12/31) |
9. Check if this filing amends a previously filed version of this report
| 10. Check if this is a Termination Report | Termination Date |
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11. No Lobbying Issue Activity |
| INCOME OR EXPENSES - YOU MUST complete either Line 12 or Line 13 | |||||||||
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| 12. Lobbying | 13. Organizations | ||||||||
| INCOME relating to lobbying activities for this reporting period was: | EXPENSE relating to lobbying activities for this reporting period were: | ||||||||
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| Provide a good faith estimate, rounded to the nearest $10,000, of all lobbying related income for the client (including all payments to the registrant by any other entity for lobbying activities on behalf of the client). | 14. REPORTING Check box to indicate expense accounting method. See instructions for description of options. | ||||||||
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Method A.
Reporting amounts using LDA definitions only
Method B. Reporting amounts under section 6033(b)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code Method C. Reporting amounts under section 162(e) of the Internal Revenue Code |
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| Signature | Digitally Signed By: Lawrence Couch |
Date | 10/11/2021 4:16:56 PM |
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code IMM
16. Specific lobbying issues
Advocated to restore asylum protections, end the inhumane Title 42 policies, and welcome asylum seekers and unaccompanied children.
Advocated for for the government to give deported Salvadoran and Honduran nationals the opportunity to seek asylum in the United States.
Advocated for TPS designations to be given to Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Guatemala in light of the destruction wrought by Hurricanes Eta and Iota.
Advocated for the Department of Justice to cease using the term "alien" to refer to noncitizens, which dehumanizes immigrants.
Objected to the Texas executive order that ordered the state to remove licenses from children's shelters that serve unaccompanied children.
Advocated for Lebanon to be given Temporary Protected Status due to the unstable political climate, economic collapse, humanitarian crisis, and armed conflicts.
Advocated for Ethiopia to be given Temporary Protected Status due to ongoing violence in the country.
Objected to DHS's continued implementation of Trump-era regulations to replace the Flores Settlement Agreement, which has acted as a check on the government's treatment of immigrant children in federal custody.
Advocated for the FY2023 budget to divest from immigrant detention and enforcement and invest in communities.
Endorsed the Immigration 2021 Action Plan, which contains a set of concrete, actionable, and fully articulated proposals addressing every stage of immigration policy and processing for a new administration.
Advocated for the end of the BAR Act, which restricts lawfully present immigration from being eligible for federal assistance programs like Medicaid, CHIP, and SNAP.
Advocated for visa reform, which include:1) recapture of unused visas from prior years, 2) ensure that unused visas from FY2021 are able to roll over into subsequent years, 3) exempt derivatives from the worldwide visa limits, and 4) provide visas to people who won the diversity visa lottery during the Trump administration but were denied visas due to Trumps discriminatory bans.
Advocating against the Remain in Mexico program.
Advocated for President Biden to set the Presidential Determination (PD) on refugee admissions for FY 2022 at 200,000, immediately engage in meaningful consultations with Congress, as required by law, and provide robust investments to ensure that the U.S. resettlement program can meet todays humanitarian crises.
Advocated for the reimplementation of the Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest program, which is the sole pathway to enlistment and later naturalization for recipients of DACA and TPS.
Advocated for Congress to help communities in the United States be fully ready to welcome Afghan refugees and help them integrate and thrive, that they resettlement and integration services and have the chance to apply for legal permanent residence.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
White House Office, State - Dept of (DOS), Homeland Security - Dept of (DHS), Justice - Dept of (DOJ), Vice President of the U.S., U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Defense - Dept of (DOD)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Lawrence |
Couch |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code FOR
16. Specific lobbying issues
Advocated for humanitarian assistance to Cuba in light of recent social unrest.
Advocated for the White House to finish reviewing the administration's sanctions policy review, to make those finding publics, and to implement significant and structural changes to U.S. sanctions policy.
Advocated for the implementation of a long-term and comprehensive diplomatic, development, and peacebuilding strategy in Afghanistan as the U.S. completes its military withdrawal.
Advocating for the United States to have an extensive humanitarian response in our assistance of Afghans in danger, and to expand opportunities for refugees to seek asylum.
Urging President Biden to to take on a global leadership role and fulfill his promise of addressing COVID-19 around the world at the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly. Particularly, advocating for a global vaccine manufacturing program and reallocation of excess vaccine doses from wealthy countries in the Global South.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
White House Office, Justice - Dept of (DOJ), Treasury - Dept of, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Lawrence |
Couch |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code WEL
16. Specific lobbying issues
Advocated for a FY2022 budget that designates at least $6 trillion for families that struggle with employment, childcare, poverty, and racism.
Advocating in support of the expansion of the Child Tax Credit.
Supported the paid leave plan in the Build Back Better package, which includes 12 weeks of universal, comprehensive, and equitable paid family and medical leave.
Advocated for Congress to make permanent the temporary expansions of the CTC and the EITC.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Lawrence |
Couch |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code TAX
16. Specific lobbying issues
Advocated for a budget reconciliation package that would reform the tax code in order to raise at least $4 trillion for corporations and the wealthy over the next ten years.
Advocated for a recovery package that will bring more fairness and equity to our tax code, particularly as a means to invest in Black, Latinx, Asian, Indigenous, and other communities of color.
Advocating to Congress to close off-shore tax loopholes.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Lawrence |
Couch |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code MMM
16. Specific lobbying issues
Advocating in support of the Medicaid is Your Right Act.
Advocating in support of the Medicaid Saves Lives Act.
Advocating for the final Senate reconciliation package to include robust Medicare drug price negotiation language and improves the Medicare dental benefit language.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Lawrence |
Couch |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code LBR
16. Specific lobbying issues
Advocating in support of the Senate passing the Right to Organize Act.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Lawrence |
Couch |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code ENV
16. Specific lobbying issues
Urged the Biden administration to protect part of the Tonto National Forest that the San Carlos Apache Tribe and others hold sacred from mining.
Advocated for the Clean Electricity Payment Program to be designed to exclude fossils fuels and false solutions from qualifying as "clean energy".
Advocated for the Senate Appropriations Committee to increase financing for international climate control.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
White House Office, Agriculture - Dept of (USDA), Interior - Dept of (DOI), U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Lawrence |
Couch |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code LAW
16. Specific lobbying issues
Advocated for DHHS to issue guidance and provide technical assistance for implementation to states that promote and stress the importance of youth crisis mobile response models that do not involve law enforcement.
Objected to Secretary Blinken's remarks that many trafficking victims were compelled into "sex work", including when referring to children, which contributes to the normalization of the the system of prostitution.
Advocating against the Biden administration's fentanyl classwide scheduling policy, which would exacerbate pretrial detention, mass incarceration, and racial disparities in the prison system.
Supported the NDAA floor amendment that would place a moratorium on the transfer of all military equipment and weapons to law enforcement agencies.
Advocated for the Senate to take immediate steps to pass important sentencing reform legislation that builds upon the beginning steps taken with the enactment of the 2018 First Step Act.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
Health & Human Services - Dept of (HHS), U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Vice President of the U.S., Justice - Dept of (DOJ)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Lawrence |
Couch |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code CIV
16. Specific lobbying issues
Advocated in the support of the For the People Act to protect voting rights and democracy.
Advocated for the DOJ to condemn and file suits against those states that are trying to enact anti-protest laws.
Advocated for the Senate to make the For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act a priority when the Senate returns from recess.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Justice - Dept of (DOJ)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Lawrence |
Couch |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code PHA
16. Specific lobbying issues
Advocated to lower the cost of prescription drugs as part of the FY2022 Budget Resolution and in Build Back Better.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Lawrence |
Couch |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code FIN
16. Specific lobbying issues
Advocating for student debt cancellation as a racial justice issue.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Lawrence |
Couch |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code HCR
16. Specific lobbying issues
Supported the maternal health provisions included in the Committee on Energy and Commerce print of the Build Back Better Act.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Lawrence |
Couch |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code BUD
16. Specific lobbying issues
Opposed the size of the Pentagon budget, particularly the $25 billion increase that came out of the markup of the NDAA in the House Armed Services Committee.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Lawrence |
Couch |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code VET
16. Specific lobbying issues
Supported the Veterans and Counsumers Fair Credit Act, which would extend the Military Lending Acts 36% interest rate cap on consumer loans to all Americans, including veterans, Gold Star Families, and unactivated reservists.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Lawrence |
Couch |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code IND
16. Specific lobbying issues
Advocating in support of the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act, which would establish the first formal commission in United States
history to investigate and document the attempted termination of cultures and
languages of Indigenous peoples, assimilation practices, and human rights violations
that occurred against American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians through
Indian Boarding School policies.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Lawrence |
Couch |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
Information Update Page - Complete ONLY where registration information has changed.
20. Client new address
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21. Client new principal place of business (if different than line 20)
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22. New General description of client’s business or activities
LOBBYIST UPDATE
23. Name of each previously reported individual who is no longer expected to act as a lobbyist for the client
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ISSUE UPDATE
24. General lobbying issue that no longer pertains
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AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS
25. Add the following affiliated organization(s)
Internet Address:
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Principal Place of Business (city and state or country) |
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26. Name of each previously reported organization that is no longer affiliated with the registrant or client
| 1 | 2 | 3 |
FOREIGN ENTITIES
27. Add the following foreign entities:
| Name | Address |
Principal place of business (city and state or country) |
Amount of contribution for lobbying activities | Ownership percentage in client | ||||||||||
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28. Name of each previously reported foreign entity that no longer owns, or controls, or is affiliated with the registrant, client or affiliated organization
| 1 | 3 | 5 |
| 2 | 4 | 6 |
CONVICTIONS DISCLOSURE
29. Have any of the lobbyists listed on this report been convicted in a Federal or State Court of an offense involving bribery,
extortion, embezzlement, an illegal kickback, tax evasion, fraud, a conflict of interest, making a false statement, perjury, or money laundering?
| Lobbyist Name | Description of Offense(s) |