Bottom Line: Columbia University brings in Trump transition alum

Education

Columbia University, a hot spot for pro-Palestinian protests last spring, hired BGR Government Affairs to lobby on issues related to higher education and appropriations. Republican lawmakers lambasted the university for its response to the protests, which they called antisemitic, and the university’s now former president, Minouche Shafik, announced in August she would step down amid the “a period of turmoil where it has been difficult to overcome divergent views across our community.”

Daniel Murphy, who worked on President Trump’s first transition team and was chief of staff to Housing and Urban Development Secretary Mel Martinez, will work on the account.

Sports

The American Football Coaches Association hired Capitol Counsel to lobby for improvements to the name, image and likeness (NIL) program. In 2021, the NCAA implemented an interim policy that allowed college athletes to make money from their personal brand through activities including autographs, personal appearances and merchandise, a shift that has frustrated coaches.

One of the lobbyists on the account is Jeffrey Carroll, former staff director for the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has held several hearings on how best to clarify the rules of the road moving forward.

Health care

Kaiser Permanente hired Manatt, Phelps, and Phillips to lobby on issues related to the regulation of in vitro diagnostics and lab-developed tests. Nicholas Bath, former health policy director for the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, will work on the account.

The telehealth wellness company Hims and Hers Inc. hired Continental Strategy to facilitate meetings with the Department of Health and Human Services and the executive office of the president. The lobbyist on the account is Chris Miles, a Capitol Hill alum who led the National Republican Congressional Committee’s efforts in the Southeastern U.S.

Agriculture

The pharmaceutical company Bayer hired Ballard Partners to lobby on issues related to crop protection products, which are also offered by the company. Daniel McFaul, who was chief of staff to former Florida Republican Reps. Jeff Miller and Matt Gaetz, will work on the account.

Media

Paramount Global also brought in Ballard Partners to lobby on issues related to the media industry as it pursues an $8 billion merger with Skydance Media. Patrick Kilcur, former executive vice president of U.S. government affairs at the Motion Picture Association and floor assistant to Senate Republican leadership, will work on the account.

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