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LOBBYING REPORT |
Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (Section 5) - All Filers Are Required to Complete This Page
2. Address
| Address1 | 120-34 Queens Blvd., #320 |
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| City | Kew Gardens |
State | NY |
Zip Code | 11415 |
Country | USA |
3. Principal place of business (if different than line 2)
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5. Senate ID# 12994-12
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6. House ID# 334210000
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| TYPE OF REPORT | 8. Year | 2018 |
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: Alexandra Bennewith |
Date | 10/22/2018 1:59:17 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 FIN
16. Specific lobbying issues
Support S. 817 the ABLE Age Adjustment 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 |
Jasey |
Cardenas |
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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 AVI
16. Specific lobbying issues
Support of HR 5004 - Air Carrier Access Amendments Act of 2018 and S. 1318, ACAAA of 2017.
As a member of the Air Carriers Access Act Working Group, United Spinal, along with a number of other disability organizations, signed on to a letter of support for HR 302, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, which included ACAAA provisions.
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 |
Alexandra |
Bennewith |
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Kent |
Keyser |
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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 HOU
16. Specific lobbying issues
Support H.R. 5609 - the Eleanor Smith Inclusive Home Design Act of 2018.
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 |
Jasey |
Cardenas |
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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
Support H.R. 5603 the Access to Telehealth Services for Opioid Use Disorders Act.
Sent a letter to ACL/HHS related to concerns about community living remarks by ACL and the disability community.
Met with ACL several times to discuss community living issues including access to CRT, our support for the Disability Integration Act, S. 910/HR. 2472, competitive integrated employment and employment for people with disabilities in the healthcare sector and accessible medical diagnostic equipment.
Support H.R. 6042 and HR. 5912 which amend Title XIX of the Social Security Act, to delay the reduction in Federal medical assistance percentage for Medicaid personal care services furnished without an electronic visit verification system.
Accessible Exercise Equipment
United Spinal helped draft and provide comments to a former Access Board member to a letter to Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) urging her to introduce legislation, similar to HR 5541/S. 2888, 113th Congress - Exercise and Fitness For All Act that you co-sponsored in 2014, that would authorize the Access Board to issue guidelines specifying the number and types of accessible exercise equipment required. It also provides for a tax credit for a small business purchasing accessible exercise equipment.
Medical Expense Coalition
United Spinal has been advocating to increase and expand the medical expense deduction and so we signed onto a letter to Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Rob Portman (R-OH) who have introduced medical expense provisions in the past,as well as to the House of Representatives. For the approximately 8.8 million Americans who annually take this deduction, it provides important tax relief which helps offset the costs of acute and chronic medical conditions for older Americans, children, pregnant women and other adults as well as the costs associated with long term care and assisted living. Medical expenses that qualify for this deduction can include amounts paid for prevention, diagnosis, treatment, equipment, qualified long-term care services costs as well as long term care insurance premiums. Families across the country with high health care costs face a constant stream of deductibles and high co-pays, and also pay out-of-pocket for various services and devices that enable the individual to live a productive life in the community.
Opposed move of NIDILRR from ACL included in House and Senate appropriations committee language.
United Spinal signed onto a Health IT Now Coalition letter to the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology and the Office of the Inspector General, both at the Department of Health and Human Services to follow up on regulatory implementation issues. Section 4004 of 21st Century Cures Act, which was signed into law in December 2016, requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue regulations to prevent information blocking and to also identify reasonable and necessary activities that do not constitute information blocking. Further, the law requires the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) to implement a standardized process for the public to submit reports on claims of health information technology products or developers of such products not being interoperable or resulting in information blocking and actions that result in information blocking. The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has enforcement authority over vendors and providers who are found to engage in information blocking.
United Spinal Association signed onto a thank you letter to Congress for appropriating $5million per year for 4 years for the National Neurological Conditions Surveillance System in 2018 appropriations.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services - Dept of (HHS), 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 |
Jasey |
Cardenas |
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Alexandra |
Bennewith |
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Kent |
Keyser |
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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
CIV- Civil Rights/Civil Liberties - Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
VetsFirst, along with United Spinal Association, signed onto a letter of support from the ITEM Coalition regarding Medicare coverage of elevation and standing feature power wheelchairs. Along with 22 other organizations, we support Medicare coverage of such equipment in order to improve access and quality of life for wheelchair users.
FIN- Financial Institutions/Investments/Securities - Department of Defense
VetsFirst signed onto an action letter from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau asking Secretary of Defense James Mattis for continued strong enforcement and supervision of the Military Lending Act. This legislation helps protect service members from predatory lending practices, which, in turn, helps protect defense funding.
EDU- Education - Department of Education
VetsFirst signed onto an action letter from Veterans Education Success urging the Department of Education to retain program integrity rules for colleges wanting to receive taxpayer dollars. These rules help protect students by requiring that teachers actually teach students, instead of relying on videos for lecture material. The letter also requests that the Education Department include a representative of veterans, service members, military families, and survivors on the negotiated rule-making panels.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
Health & Human Services - Dept of (HHS), Education - Dept of, 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 |
Bethany |
Keirans |
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Alexandra |
Bennewith |
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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
Supports H.R. 750 The Ensuring Access to Quality Complex Rehabilitation Technology (CRT) Act.
Supports S. 486 Protecting Beneficiary Access to Complex Rehab Technology Act of 2017
Supports H.R. 3730 (To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for the non-application of Medicare competitive acquisition rates to complex rehabilitative manual wheelchairs and accessories) was introduced by Representatives Lee Zeldin (R-NY) and John Larson (D-CT) to stop CMS from using Competitive Bid pricing for accessories used with CRT manual wheelchairs.
Supports H.R. 626, the Access to Inpatient Rehabilitation Therapy Act of 2017, which would amend the Social Security Act to include recreational therapy among the therapy methods that can be considered part of an intensive rehabilitation therapy program in an inpatient rehabilitation hospital or unit.
Myomos MyoPro support letter to CMS
Policy staff, as members of United Spinal Association, wrote the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in strong support of an application to CMS for a unique Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) code for the MyoPro device, created by the medical technology company, Myomo.
Support of S. 2227/H.R.5306 Empower Care Act which reinstates the Money Follows the Person program and facilitates smooth transitions out of nursing facilities and into the community.
Signed onto letters to Congress in support of including functional quality measures in rehabilitation metrics.
United Spinal supports this letter but CCD Task Force co-chairs: The co-chairs of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) Health, Long-Term Services and Supports, and Rights Task Forces write in opposition to proposals that expand coverage of institutional services in Medicaid without addressing gaps in Medicaid community services. CCD is the largest coalition of national organizations working together to advocate for Federal public policy that ensures the self-determination, independence, empowerment, integration and inclusion of children and adults with disabilities in all aspects of society.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
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 |
Kent |
Keyser |
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Alexandra |
Bennewith |
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Jasey |
Cardenas |
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Bethany |
Keirans |
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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 INS
16. Specific lobbying issues
U.S. Senate, Committee on Finance
Subcommittee on Social Security, Pensions, and Family Policy
July 11, 2018
Endorsed Consortium for Citizens with Disabilties' comments for the Congressional record on proposals to expand access to paid family and medical leave for workers in the United States, including one put forward by the Independent Womens Forum (IWF) highlighting our
concerns with the impact of the IWF proposal on Social Security. As noted in the statement, our nation can create a paid leave plan affordably and responsibly - without reducing workers Social Security benefits or forcing them to delay retirement.
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 |
Alexandra |
Bennewith |
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Kent |
Keyser |
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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
United Spinal Association and other stakeholders, signed onto a letter facilitated by the Collaboration to Promote Self-Determination and the National Disability Rights Network to Secretary Betsy DeVos at the Department of Education to express strong opposition to any efforts by the U.S. Department of Education to weaken or open existing regulations implementing the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
Education - Dept of
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 |
Alexandra |
Bennewith |
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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 TEC
16. Specific lobbying issues
Sent a letter to the FCC docket in support of 5G infrastructure implementation.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
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 |
Alexandra |
Bennewith |
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Jasey |
Cardenas |
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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 CON
16. Specific lobbying issues
Signed onto a Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities letter addressed to the Senate in opposition to the nomination of Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh.
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 |
Alexandra |
Bennewith |
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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 DOC
16. Specific lobbying issues
Was contacted by the Chief of Disability Integration Bureau of Homeland Security & Preparedness Division of DC to discuss preparedness for the disability community ahead of the possibility of Hurricane Florence impacting the region. We participated on a stakeholders introductory call to bring interested parties together and gain an understanding of what DC is hoping to do in improving emergency preparedness for people with disabilities.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
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 |
Jasey |
Cardenas |
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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
Support S. 3459 Disabled Access Tax Credit Expansion Act
Support the Disability Employment Incentive Act, S. 3260.
Support Protect Medical Innovation Act of 2017, H.R. 184.
Support H.R.1874/S. 817, ABLE Age Adjustment 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 |
Alexandra |
Bennewith |
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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 EDU
16. Specific lobbying issues
Regarding virtual instruction there is typically a baseline expectation that the student has internet access and there is hardware/software to access online virtual instruction.
United Spinal and the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities Technology and Telecommunications Task Force requests that accessibility be included and reminded the Dept. of Education that Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act as well as the Americans with Disabilities Act apply to the work they do in addition to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act as well as the principle of free and public education
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
Education - Dept of
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 |
Alexandra |
Bennewith |
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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 DIS
16. Specific lobbying issues
United Spinal Association signed onto a Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities' Emergency Management letter to FEMA highlighting our concerns with evacuation and shelter-in place protective actions for the disability community.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
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 |
Alexandra |
Bennewith |
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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
United Spinal attended an FDA meeting on biopharmaceuticals and submitted comments to the FDA on ensuring appropriate patient protections to new biologics and biosimilars that come to market.s
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
Food & Drug Administration (FDA)
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 |
Alexandra |
Bennewith |
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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 AUT
16. Specific lobbying issues
Support AV START Act, S. 1885.
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 |
Alexandra |
Bennewith |
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Kent |
Keyser |
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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 RRR
16. Specific lobbying issues
The Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities Transportation Task Force sent a letter to Amtrak asking them to address several concerns the disability community has related to their work. United Spinal policy staff assisted in editing the letter which discussed several concerns and improvements needed with Amtrak along with our opposition to their reduction in staff at several stations which could make it hard for people with disabilities to get the assistance they need at these stations.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
AMTRAK - Natl Railroad Passenger Corporation
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 |
Alexandra |
Bennewith |
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Jasey |
Cardenas |
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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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26. Name of each previously reported organization that is no longer affiliated with the registrant or client
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FOREIGN ENTITIES
27. Add the following foreign entities:
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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
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