Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (Section 5) - All Filers Are Required to Complete This Page

9. Check if this filing amends a previously filed version of this report

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 AGR

16. Specific lobbying issues

FY 2009 Agriculture Appropriations - Authorization and Appropriations, with particular attention to the pay, benefits, staffing levels (specifically, USDA proposal to eliminate independent poultry inspection), and job security of USDA employees.
HR 2419, 2007 Farm Bill - Meat and poultry inspection by state programs being sold in interstate commerce.

17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE, Agriculture - Dept of (USDA)

18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area

19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None

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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

H.Con.Res. 312/S.Con.Res. 70 FY 2009 Budget Resolution - to increase the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget with particular attention to budget reconciliation, legislation, blue collar pay, white collar pay, minimu wage, retirement, part-time annuity computations, and compensatory time.
S.Con.Res. 70, FY 2009 Senate Budget Resolution - Medicaid cuts amendment that would adversely affect health care and result in
the cost of uncompensated health care being shifted to employer-sponsored health care plans.

H.Con.Res. 312 Budget Resolution - conference agreement providing for an increase for veterans health care programs.

FY 2008 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Hurricane Recovery - amendment to provide additional funding for DVA health care.

FY 2009 Homeland Security Appropriations - funding for Customs and Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Federal Emergency Management Agency . DHS Personnel Plan, also called the Human Capital Operational Plan, in particular the provisions to halt the Administration's plan to reduce the Federal Protective Service workforce.

FY 2009 Military Quality of Life/Veterans Affairs Appropriations - funding for VA health and benefits programs, and contracting out.

FY 2009 Interior and Environmental Appropriations - contracting out of federal employee jobs, specifically, the A-76 Forest Service Studies in 2008.

FY 2009 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations - contracting out, cuts in funds for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Heath, and the increase in Social Security Administration's administrative budget to ease processing backlog of more than 600,000 disability claims.

FY 2009 Financial Services Appropriations - provision to make the A-76 process less unfair to federal employees and more accountable to taxpayers.

FY 2009 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - amendment to prohibit funds from being used to close or consolidate any EEOC office or make any reductions in force stemming from workforce repositioning, restructuring, or organizing of the EEOC; provision preventing use of CIS funds for A-76 competition for BoP/FPI work; and additional funding for BoP staffing shortages in BOP "Salaries and Expenses" account and "Buildings and Facilities" account.

FY 2009 Agriculture Appropriations - contracting out of federal employee jobs.

FY 2009 Defense Appropriations - contracting out of federal employee jobs.

FY 2009 Energy and Water Appropriations - provisions banning A-76 public -private competition at the Army Corps of Engineers.

17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Veterans Affairs - Dept of (VA), U.S. Customs & Border Protection, U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS), Natl Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Homeland Security - Dept of (DHS), Interior - Dept of (DOI), Labor - Dept of (DOL), Defense - Dept of (DOD), Army - Dept of (Corps of Engineers)

18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area

19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None

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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

FY 2009 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - reorganization plan that could compromise the EEOC's ability to protect employees from employment discrimination.

17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE

18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area

19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None

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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 DEF

16. Specific lobbying issues

FY 2009 Defense Appropriations and Authorization - depot maintenance, civilian personnel issues (NSPS provisions for restoration of collective bargaining rights and appeal rights), contracting out A-76, privatization, Performance Based Organizations, Demonstrations Projects, contracting out for Security Guards and firefighter functions, and BRAC.

17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE, Air Force - Dept of, Army - Dept of (Other) , Defense - Dept of (DOD), Defense Commissary Agency, Defense Finance & Accounting Agency (DFAS), U.S. Marines, Navy - Dept of, Office of Management & Budget (OMB)

18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area

19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None

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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 DOC

16. Specific lobbying issues

FY 2009 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations - contracting out A-76, and Budget Reconciliation with particular attention to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of DC Government employees.

17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE

18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area

19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None

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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 FOO

16. Specific lobbying issues

FY 2009 Agriculture Appropriations - contracting out of federal employees jobs and how it relates to food safety and public safety issues.

HR 2419, 2007 Farm Bill - meat and poultry inspected by state programs being sold interstate commerce.

17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE, Agriculture - Dept of (USDA)

18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area

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

FY 2009 Foreign Operations Appropriations - with particular attention to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of the Department of State employees.

17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE

18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area

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 GOV

16. Specific lobbying issues

FY 2009 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations - amendment to prohibit bill from being used to implement the new pro-contractor revision of OMB Circular A-76; Civil Service Reform; contracting out; blue collar pay; minimum wage; federal retirement systems; lines of business; and union representation.

17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of Personnel Management (OPM)

18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area

19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None

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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

HR 241, Associations Health Plans - with attention to its exemption from state laws and regulations; state patient protections and health insurance company solvency standards; higher premiums for older and sicker workers covered by conventional health care plans; and resultant substantial increase in the number of uninsured workers, as it directly relates to the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program and FEHPB in general.

17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE, Office of Management & Budget (OMB)

18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area

19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None

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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 HOM

16. Specific lobbying issues

FY 2009 Homeland Security Appropriations - with attention to the pay, benefits, contracting out and staffing levels, funding, and job security (DHS Personnel Plan, renamed the Human Capital Operational Plan) of DHS employees in Customs and Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

HR 985/S 274 - to amend Title 5, U.S. Code, to clarify which disclosures of information are protected from prohibited personnel practices; to require a statement in nondisclosure policies, forms, and agreements to the effect that they conform with certain disclosure protections.

17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE, Homeland Security - Dept of (DHS)

18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area

19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None

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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 HOU

16. Specific lobbying issues

FY 2009 Financial Services Appropriations - with regard to contracting out; and pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of HUD employees.

17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE

18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area

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 IMM

16. Specific lobbying issues

FY 2009 Homeland Security Appropriations - Border Patrol and INS, with special attention to contracting out and the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of DHS employees.

17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE, Homeland Security - Dept of (DHS)

18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area

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

FY 2009 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - amendment to prohibit funds from being used to close or consolidate any office of the EEOC or to make reductions in force part of any workforce repositioning, restructuring, or organizing of the EEOC.


FY 2009 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Bill - cuts in funds for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Health, and increasing the Social Security Administration's administrative budget to ease processing backlog of more than 600,000 disability claims.

HR 5718/HR 3799 - proposal to provide federal employees who are new parents or adoptive parents with eights weeks of full pay and benefits. Testimony on March 6, 2008 on Investing in the Future of the Federal workforce: Paid Parental Leave Improves Recruitment and Retention.

S 1000/HR 4106, Telework Improvements Act - efforts to increase amount of telework for eligible employees to at least 20% of the hours worked for every two work week period.

HR 985/S 494, Whistleblower Reform Bill - to grant Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) whistleblower protections and prevent retaliation from their supervisors and the right to appeal decisions to the MSPB.

HR 3212 - to grant TSOs true workplace rights and protections as other federal employees.

HR 3551/S 2057, MSPB Reauthorization - adjudication of federal workers' rights and protections.

HR 4089, to restore the rights of VA health care professionals to bargain and file grievances over workplace issues under Title 38 (RNs, physicians, physician assistant and other VA employees on front lines of VA health care).

Testimony on February 12, 20-0-8 on Federal Workforce on Pay for Performance Systems, focusing on DoD and TSA systems being highly subjective and unfair. Recommendations to require detailed data on how pay is distributed, including number of ratings awarded in each pay pool, and age, gender, and race distributions of employees.

17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE, Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Merit Systems Protection Board, Office of Personnel Management (OPM)

18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area

19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None

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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 NAT

16. Specific lobbying issues

FY 2009 Interior and Environmental Appropriations, with special attention to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, job security, and contracting out of Department of Interior employees.

17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE, Interior - Dept of (DOI)

18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area

19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None

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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

AFGE is part of a coalition of 28 health organizations and labor unions urging support of Health and Human Services's funding request to appropriate $2billion for research, vaccine purchases, and related activities.
Testimony on March 13 on EPA Library Closures: Better Access for a Broader Audience, focusing on EPA library closings compromising its mission of protecting the environment and public health. No access to scientific research and studies after library closing to comply with $2 million budget cut. No consultation with EPA staff and public before closing libraries.

17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE

18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area

19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None

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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

H.Con.Res. 312/S.Con.Res. 70, FY 2009 Budget Resolution, in regard to increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget.


FY 2008 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, Hurricane Recovery, and provisions for additional funding for Department of Veterans Affairs health care.

Testimony on February 14 on Examining the Backlog and the VA's Claims Processing System, focusing on lack of proper training, skills certifications, and staffing shortages that resulted in a backlog of 650,000 benefits claims.

HR 2790, to establish a full-time Director of Physician Assistant Services with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

S 2162, to meet current need for VA mental health care through VA in-house care and limited use of community mental health centers outside the VA. We opposed S 38 that would use more non-VA mental health care providers.

HR 4089/S 2824, to restore collective bargaining rights of Title 39 VA health care professionals.

17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE, Veterans Affairs - Dept of (VA)

18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area

19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None

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Information Update Page - Complete ONLY where registration information has changed.

20. Client new address

21. Client new principal place of business (if different than line 20)

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

ISSUE UPDATE

24. General lobbying issue that no longer pertains

AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS

25. Add the following affiliated organization(s)

Internet Address:

26. Name of each previously reported organization that is no longer affiliated with the registrant or client

FOREIGN ENTITIES

27. Add the following foreign entities:

28. Name of each previously reported foreign entity that no longer owns, or controls, or is affiliated with the registrant, client or affiliated organization