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LOBBYING REPORT |
Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (Section 5) - All Filers Are Required to Complete This Page
2. Address
| Address1 | 2107 WILSON BLVD., #600 |
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| City | ARLINGTON |
State | VA |
Zip Code | 22201 |
Country | USA |
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5. Senate ID# 28207-12
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6. House ID# 306870000
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| TYPE OF REPORT | 8. Year | 2023 |
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: Claudia Larson |
Date | 1/16/2024 1:48:21 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 AGR
16. Specific lobbying issues
Supported efforts to swiftly and effectively implement the dairy provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill, including the Dairy Margin Coverage program and expanded access to the Livestock Gross Margin program. Supported tweaks to the Dairy Margin Coverage program's production history calculation. Supported incorporating the Supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage program into the underlying Dairy Margin Coverage program.
Child Nutrition - NMPF is monitoring and educating Congress on the effects of child nutrition legislation and programs for dairy farmers, cooperatives, and consumers. NMPF supports efforts to protect and increase kids' access to dairy through nutrition programs, including:
*Making permanent 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and preventing sodium limitations from inadvertently leading to the reduction/removal of cheese from school breakfast and lunch programs. These efforts on school meal standards include advocating for language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) to protect 1% flavored milk and cheese in school meal programs. NMPF also advocated for a final FNS rule (for school years 2024-2025 and beyond) that will continue the allowance of 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and weight natural occurring sodium and sodium used for functional and food safety purposes when imposing sodium limitations less than sodium used for taste purposes only, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to raise concerns that provisions in FNS's proposed rule ("Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans" published February 7, 2023) that would likely reduce the ability of schools to continue to serve dairy in school meal programs due to added sugar limits, sodium limits, and the potential prohibition of flavored milk in lower grade levels.
*Expanding the varieties of milk allowed in school meal programs, including the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 1147, S. 1957).
*Continuing the requirement that dairy alternatives provided in nutrition programs be nutritionally equivalent.
*Maintaining/increasing the amount of dairy WIC participants can access through the WIC program, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to voice concern over provisions in FNS's proposed rule which will reduce dairy in WIC if retained in the final rule ("Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Revisions in the WIC Food Packages" published November 21,2022). NMPF also worked to include in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) language provisions that would maintain the amount of dairy provided in the WIC program. NMPF also supports the bipartisan GIVE MILK Act (H.R. 5383) -- which would allow fluid milk options for many WIC participants to also include 2% and whole milk, expanding beyond the current options of 1% and skim only -- and the WIC for Kids Act (H.R. 5757) -- which would make it easier for those eligible for WIC to enroll by eliminating or reducing enrollment barriers and easing rigid enrollment requirements.
*Increasing access to universal school meals/make it easier for schools to meet requirements to qualify for Community Eligibility Provision (CEP).
Additional Nutrition Policy Areas - Supported efforts to increase funding for SNAP and other nutrition programs as well as USDA's flexibility in implementing these programs to support food insecure households during the downturn caused by and the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Supported the Dairy Nutrition Incentives Program Act (S. 1474) and advocated for keeping nutrition in the next Farm Bill. Advocated for reallocating funds from the Milk Donation Reimbursement Program to the Dairy Donation Program, given the Dairy Donation Program was more widely used and supports the donation of a wider variety of dairy foods.
Supported legislative and administrative efforts to improve and modify dairy policy, including providing relief to dairy farmers for uncompensated COVID-19-related losses.
COVID-19 - Supported the continued implementation of agricultural provisions of the 2020 COVID relief packages [CARES Act (H.R. 748), Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), HEROES Act (H.R. 6800), and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133) as signed into law on December 27, 2020] as well as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) to provide relief to farmers and families from the COVID-19 pandemic. Also supported related administrative actions, including Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments, product purchases, milk disposal compensation, and milk donation assistance. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order.
Supported efforts to ensure agricultural producers have access to the capital required to continue operating during and recover from a disaster.
NMPF provides ongoing support for the WHIP-Milk Loss program and making dairy cooperatives eligible to make payments to producers. NMPF also supports similar efforts to extend government funding for disaster recovery as well as explore new ways to provide disaster aid to dairy farmers, including for farmers experiencing flood conditions.
Supported efforts to enact legislation to require USDA to conduct mandatory plant cost studies. Supported efforts to revert back to the previous "higher of" Class I mover.
Supported the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives grant program, including efforts to expand the program with the Dairy Business Innovation Act (S. 2267, H.R. 4894).
Oppose efforts to limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs, including opposing the OFF Act (S. 557, H.R. 1249) and opposing amendments to appropriations measures that would limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Agriculture - Dept of (USDA)
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 |
Paul |
Bleiberg |
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Deputy Chief of Staff and LD, Rep. Reid Ribble
LA and LC, Rep. Randy Kuhl
LC, Rep. Sherwood Boehlert |
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Claudia |
Larson |
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Strategic Policy Associate and Communication Director, Rep. Costa |
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 ANI
16. Specific lobbying issues
Food, Animal Residue Avoidance Databank (FARAD) - Supported funding for this system to provide the industry with information on how to avoid drug, pesticide, and environmental contaminant residue problems.
Mandatory Animal ID - Supported steps to make this mandatory.
Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment - Opposed legislation to avoid "overuse or misuse" of antibiotics in medicine and agriculture due to inappropriate limitations on needed antibiotics.
Nonambulatory cattle - Monitored efforts to address animal handling, especially nonambulatory cattle regulations and procedures.
Antibiotic Residue - Monitored and provided information relating to efforts to expand the scope of testing for antibiotic residues in animal tissues and milk. Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) Vaccine - Support steps to modernize North America FMD vaccine bank to support vaccine use strategies in the event of a U.S. outbreak.
Animal Rights Mandates - Opposed efforts to enact animal rights mandates via federal legislation.
Raw Milk Sales - Opposed efforts facilitating the sale of raw milk.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, Agriculture - Dept of (USDA), U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 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 |
Paul |
Bleiberg |
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Claudia |
Larson |
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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
Advocated for Fiscal Year 2024 funding of 2018 Farm Bill programs, including the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network, the Dairy Business Innovation program, conservation programs, broadband, and food aid. Advocated for bill language in Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA Appropriations bills (H.R. 4368, S. 2131)- to continue the allowance of 1% flavored milk in school feeding programs for all grade levels, to provide more considered added sugar levels and sodium levels in school meal programs to ensure schools can continue to have the freedom to serve dairy foods as works for them, and to maintain amounts of dairy allotment in WIC food allowance packages. Advocated for plus up funds for the COVID relief PMVAP program to be used to address the gap in reimbursement for farmers affected by the program's 5 million pound cap. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order.
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 |
Paul |
Bleiberg |
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Claudia |
Larson |
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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 CAW
16. Specific lobbying issues
EPA Clean Water Rule - Supported efforts to finalize an effective, science-based rulemaking under the Clean Water Act.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE, 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 |
Paul |
Bleiberg |
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Claudia |
Larson |
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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 ENG
16. Specific lobbying issues
Anaerobic Digestion - Supported efforts at USDA to ensure existing Farm Bill energy programs provide adequate opportunities for the development of anaerobic digestion systems on dairy farms.
Support efforts to expand flexibilities in and access to USDA's Rural Energy for American Program (REAP) while providing additional investments to help more farmers take advantage of the program.
Supported RFS Electricity Pathway to make biogas eligible as a renewable fuel.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Energy - Dept of, Agriculture - Dept of (USDA), 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 |
Paul |
Bleiberg |
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Claudia |
Larson |
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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 IMM
16. Specific lobbying issues
Immigration Reform - Worked on efforts to reform immigration rules relating to agricultural workers. NMPF supports legislative efforts to ensure that dairy farmers can keep their existing workforce while also creating an effective mechanism to allow them to access new workers, including the Farm Workforce Modernization Act (H.R. 4319). NMPF also advocates for ensuring there are ag labor reforms either before or in conjunction with any other immigration reforms that may target farming operations as places of employment.
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 |
Paul |
Bleiberg |
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Claudia |
Larson |
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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 FOO
16. Specific lobbying issues
Labeling - Ensured food labeling is based on sound science.
Dairy Standard of Identity - Supported efforts to require FDA to enforce the standard of identity for dairy products, including supporting the DAIRY PRIDE Act (S. 549 & H.R. 1462) and urging that FDA guidance require product labeling to follow existing dairy standards of identity.
Food Safety - Monitored implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act.
Raw Milk Sales - Opposed efforts facilitating the sale of raw milk.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Agriculture - Dept of (USDA), 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 |
Paul |
Bleiberg |
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Claudia |
Larson |
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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
Estate tax - Supported efforts to reform and repeal estate taxes.
NMPF has also supports efforts to create and improve tax credits for investment in technology that turns organic matter into biogas energy and removes nutrient particles from manure,
Supported efforts to ensure that farmers can continue to use cash accounting.
Supported efforts to ensure that cooperatives could count non-patronage income in the calculation of the 199A deduction as implemented by the Treasury Department.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Treasury - 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 |
Paul |
Bleiberg |
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Claudia |
Larson |
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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 TRU
16. Specific lobbying issues
Supported efforts to provide relief for dairy farmers and milk haulers from truck weight limitations and hours of service rules, including the SHIP IT Act (H.R. 471) and H.R. 3372.
Supported implementation of the DRIVE Safe Act to address the ongoing driver shortage facing many industries.
Supported implementation of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act to reduce congestion and disruption at ports.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Transportation - Dept of (DOT)
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 |
Paul |
Bleiberg |
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Claudia |
Larson |
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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 TRD
16. Specific lobbying issues
Provided information related to the following issues:
Opposed misuse of Geographical Indications by European Union to impede trade and supported robust US tools to combat misuse of IP regulations in ways that restrict generic terms
Advocated on the need to pursue new trade agreements and enforce existing ones
Advocated on trade negotiations including IPEF and US-Taiwan talks
Impacts on dairy industry of trading partner retaliation, current and potential
Advocated for legislative and administration solutions to alleviate supply chain congestion hindering U.S. dairy exports
Advocated on various bilateral trade issues impacting US dairy exports through regulations/policies in foreign markets
Advocated against increasing reliance on foreign infant formula supply and for measures to further strengthen US production capacity.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, Agriculture - Dept of (USDA), U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), Patent & Trademark Office (PTO), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), Transportation - Dept of (DOT), Federal Maritime Commission
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 |
Shawna |
Morris |
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Paul |
Bleiberg |
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Claudia |
Larson |
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Tony |
Rice |
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Cabinet Affairs Intern (Unpaid) - White House Internship Program; Agricultural Affairs and Commodity Policy Intern (Unpaid) - Office of the U.S. Trade Representative |
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
EPA Clean Water Rule - Supported efforts to finalize an effective, science-based rulemaking under the Clean Water Act.
Conservation - Supported funding for farm bill conservation programs in FY 2024 appropriations process. Supported administrative actions to provide greater opportunity for dairy farmers to access EQIP and CSP. Supported Future of Agricultural Resiliency & Modernization (FARM) Act (H.R.3814) and Converting Our Waste Sustainably (COWS) Act (H.R. 4327).
Climate change - provided feedback to House and Senate committees and member offices on potential climate change legislation and its impacts on the dairy sector.
Feed additives - supported the Innovative FEED Act (S. 1842, H.R. 6687) to codify a regulatory pathway for reviewing animal feed ingredients that can reduce enteric methane emissions.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 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 |
Paul |
Bleiberg |
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Claudia |
Larson |
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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
Supported efforts to provide relief for dairy farmers and milk haulers from truck weight limitations and hours of service rules, including the SHIP IT Act (H.R. 471).
Supported implementation of the DRIVE Safe Act to address the ongoing driver shortage facing many industries.
Supported implementation of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act to reduce congestion and disruption at ports.
Supported the Reliable Rail Service Act (S. 2071) to provide statutory clarity and enhanced oversight of the Surface Transportation Board to correct the rail transportation challenges faced by the U.S. dairy industry.
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 |
Paul |
Bleiberg |
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Claudia |
Larson |
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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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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) |