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LOBBYING REPORT |
Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (Section 5) - All Filers Are Required to Complete This Page
2. Address
Address1 | 218 D STREET, SE |
Address2 | 1st Floor |
City | WASHINGTON |
State | DC |
Zip Code | 20003 |
Country | USA |
3. Principal place of business (if different than line 2)
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5. Senate ID# 38814-12
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6. House ID# 325310000
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TYPE OF REPORT | 8. Year | 2009 |
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 | |
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. | ||||||||
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 |
Signature | Digitally Signed By: Richard Trilsch, Administrative Director |
Date | 07/20/2009 |
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 BAN
16. Specific lobbying issues
1) Reform Credit Card Practices. Provided comments to hill, signed letters, lobbied on all aspects of legislation and proposed regulations pertaining to reform of unfair practices of credit card industry. Testified in House. Bills include S 414, Credit CARD Act; HR 627, Credit Cardholders Bill of Rights Act, which became law. (As part of HR 627, unsuccessfully supported efforts to make interchange fees fairer and extend bill to include small business owners.)
2) Reform Mortgage Practices and Reform Financial Services Regulation. Provided comments to hill, signed letters, testified, lobbied on all aspects of legislation and proposed regulations pertaining to reform of mortgage and predatory lending. Bills included HR 1728 and HR 1782 on mortgage reform, supporting in part and opposing in part.
3) Provided comments to hill, signed letters, testified, lobbied on all aspects of legislation and proposed regulations pertaining to reform of financial industry by establishment of Financial Product Safety Commission, S. 566 and HR 1705 and other reforms to expand prudential regulation and improve safety net.
4) Support efforts against unfair bank fees, including support for HR 1456, the Consumer Overdraft Protection Fair Practices Act (testified in House in March).
5) Support reinstatement of federal usury ceilings on financial transactions (S. 500/HR 1608).
6) Support efforts to implement strong consumer and transparency protections in regulations and enforcement of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act (HR 1424-Division A, became PL 110-343) and related bills. Supported bills including HR 384 and S 195 to reform the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) and other programs established either by EESA or by federal regulators concerning financial reform and bailout funding. These and other similar bills would restore original purposes of bailout funds, increase transparency, limit executive compensation, grant greater authority to oversight agencies, etc.
7) Supported Section 626 of HR 1105 (Omnibus Appropriations) to grant greater authority to FTC and state attorneys general to better protect consumers against financial fraud and impose greater sanctions against wrongdoers.
8) urged administration/DOJ to support state causes of actions/state attorneys general enforcement authority in various state and federal cases including Cuomo vs. Clearinghouse and OCC.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE, Federal Reserve System, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Treasury - Dept of, Federal Deposit Insurance Commission (FDIC), Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS), Natl Credit Union Administration (NCUA), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), Natl Economic Council (NEC), White House Office
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 |
Edmund |
Mierzwinski |
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Gary |
Kalman |
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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 BNK
16. Specific lobbying issues
1) Restructure Mortgages in Bankruptcy: Provided comments to hill, signed letters, lobbied on all aspects of legislation and proposed regulations pertaining to reform. Supported efforts to enact strongest possible provisions to allow bankruptcy judges to restructure first mortgages. Bills included S 61, HR 200 and HR 1106.
2) Support efforts to repeal/amend 2005 bankruptcy law (PL 109-8) restrictions on consumer rights. Testimony in House.
3) Testified at oversight hearing (House Judiciary) on credit cards and bankruptcy.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE, Federal Reserve System, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Treasury - Dept of, Federal Deposit Insurance Commission (FDIC), Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS), Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), Natl Credit Union Administration (NCUA), Natl Economic Council (NEC), White House Office
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 |
Edmund |
Mierzwinski |
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Gary |
Kalman |
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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 CSP
16. Specific lobbying issues
Supported efforts to implement new Consumer Product Safety Commission Improvement Act, add resources, regulate dangerous and/or toxic products. Provided comments to hill, signed letters, lobbied on all aspects of legislation and proposed regulations pertaining to reform. Testified in previous quarters. Specific new law is PL 110-314 (HR 4040, Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act).
2) Supported efforts, Medical Device Safety Act (S. 540, HR 1346) to overturn Supreme Court decision in Riegel v. Medtronic limiting state common law remedies against certain medical device manufacturers.
3) Broadly support all other efforts to preserve consumer private rights of action and to oppose preemption of stronger state consumer financial or health and safety laws.
OTHER ACTIVITIES: Supported various efforts to protect consumers from unfair business or marketplace practices by signing letters, lobbying or commenting on various proposals:
1) Mandatory Arbitration: Support (letters) for HR 1020, the Arbitration Fairness Act to ban mandatory arbitration in consumer laws.
2) Opposed (letter) S. 202 and S. 164, the "Passenger Vehicle Loss Disclosure Act of 2009"
3) Letters limited to opposition to elimination of inequitable conduct defense in the Patent Reform Act (S 515, HR 1260), to encourage generic substitutes for brand name pharmaceuticals.
4) Opposition to the Consumer Rental Purchase Agreement Act, S 738, HR 1744, which would legalize unfair practices of predatory rent to own stores.
5) Supported aspects of Federal Aviation Administration reforms pertaining to Airline Passengers Bill of Rights (HR 915, FAA Reauthorization)
6) Support strong enforcement of antitrust laws, including opposition to merger of Ticketmaster and LiveNation (testimony in House in previous quarter).
7) Signed letters to White House urging amendments to GM/Chrysler bankruptcy negotiations to reinstate compensation rights of injured victims.
8) Supported variety of efforts, including Equal Employment for All Act (Cohen, House) to amend Fair Credit Reporting Act.
9) Urged support for legislation (not yet filed) to overturn Supreme Court in Leegin, reinstating ban on resale price maintenance.
PRIVACY: Support efforts to ensure that federal law provides consumers with strong privacy protection, prevents identity theft, and holds companies and government agencies accountable when they lose consumer data. Support includes lobbying, letters, and communications as necessary. Support HR 2221 in part/oppose in part.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE, Food & Drug Administration (FDA), Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Justice - Dept of (DOJ), White House Office, Federal Reserve System, Transportation - Dept of (DOT), Treasury - Dept of, Federal Deposit Insurance Commission (FDIC), Natl Economic Council (NEC)
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 |
Edmund |
Mierzwinski |
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Gary |
Kalman |
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Elizabeth |
Hitchcock |
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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
Media and Telecommunication Issues related to Low Power FM; Broadband Deployment; Wireless Issues; Privacy Online; Low Power FM
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE, Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
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 |
Amina |
Fazlullah |
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Gary |
Kalman |
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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 TRA
16. Specific lobbying issues
HR 2724 National Transportation Objectives Act of 2009
S. 1036 Federal Surface Transportation Policy and Planning Act of 2009
Surface Transportation Authorization Act of 2009
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
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
John |
Krieger |
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Gary |
Kalman |
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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
Advocating for strong cost containment and consumer protections in this year's health reform legislation.
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
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Larry |
McNeeley |
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Gary |
Kalman |
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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 GOV
16. Specific lobbying issues
Campaign Finance Reform: HR 1826: Fair Elections Now Act, S752: Fair Elections Now Act, HR 682: Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act. Election Reform: Voter Registration Modernization, No bill number assigned. Ethics.
Reforming weapons acquisition process; Contractor reform.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, White House Office
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 |
Lisa |
Gilbert |
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Gary |
Kalman |
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Nicole |
Tichon |
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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 CHM
16. Specific lobbying issues
Support Chemical Facilities Anti-Terrorism Act of 2008 (HR 2868), all titles; support Kid Safe Chemicals Act (HR 6100; S3040 in 110th ; not yet introduced in 111th) all titles; support measures to ban or restrict use of Bisphenol A (HR 1523; S.593; S753)
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE, Food & Drug Administration (FDA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
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 |
Elizabeth |
Hitchcock |
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Gary |
Kalman |
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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
Support reauthorization of Superfund polluter pays tax.
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
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Elizabeth |
Hitchcock |
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Gary |
Kalman |
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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
Closing tax havens and reforming tax system; Regulating the financial system;
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE, Executive Office of the President (EOP)
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 |
Nicole |
Tichon |
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Gary |
Kalman |
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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:
Name | Address |
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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 |
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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 |