Bottom Line: Boeing, Lockheed Martin space venture lobbies up for NASA, FAA funding

Aerospace

The United Launch Alliance, Boeing and Lockheed Martin's joint space venture, hired IBEX2 Solutions to lobby on civilian and commercial space issues related to policy and funding from NASA and the Federal Aviation Administration’s commercial space office. The lobbyist is Susan Nelson, former director of congressional affairs and industry outreach at NASA.

Nutrition

Kroger hired Caprock Strategies to lobby on issues related to SNAP and WIC, the nutrition assistance programs. The firm specifically registered to work on “licensure and authorization to accept WIC and SNAP benefits” as well as “authorization to provide discounted delivery options to SNAP families” for the grocery giant, according to the recent filing. The lobbyist on the account is Brandon Lipps, former deputy undersecretary for food, nutrition and consumer services at the Department of Agriculture and counsel and senior professional staff for the House Agriculture Committee.

Finance

The American Bankers Association, a trade association representing the U.S. banking industry, hired Blue Ridge Law & Policy, P.C. to lobby on issues related to financial data standards. William Liles, former senior counsel for the House Financial Services Committee, will work on the account.

Mastercard hired Resolution Public Affairs to lobby on issues related to financial services, interchange and payments. Mastercard and Visa, which control a combined 80 percent of the credit card processing market, have been fighting a bill that would require large financial institutions to offer at least two payment processing networks, one of which can’t be the two industry leaders. One of the lobbyists on the account is Heather McHugh, former legislative director for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).

Stripe hired Cornerstone Government Affairs to lobby on issues related to payment processors and regulation as well as the Secure Handling of Electronic Donations Act, a House bill that would require the disclosure of a card verification value for online federal political contributions. Keith Stern, former director of floor operations for now-Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), will work on the account.

Soccer

The Washington Spirit, the District’s National Women's Soccer League team, hired The Daschle Group to lobby on issues related to equality in women’s sports and a bill dealing with the revitalization of the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium. The Washington Commanders, the District’s NFL team, also hired a separate firm this summer to lobby on the bill, which passed the House in February.