AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION for AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION
What was lobbied
19 issue areas, each in the filer's own words, with who lobbied on it and where.
Law Enforcement/Crime/Criminal Justice LAW
S. 1074, the Restoring Education and Learning Act of 2019 - concerning the restoration of Pell Grant eligibility for prisoners. H.R. 1076, the Fair Chance Act - which would require federal employers to refrain from criminal background checks on job candidates until a conditional offer of employment has been made, includes support in connection with its inclusion in H.R. 2500, the National Defense Authorization Act of 2020. S. 2566, the Prohibiting Punishment of Acquitted Conduct Act of 2019 - provisions that would only permit the court to consider at sentencing conduct or activity that had been proven beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. H.R. 4018, a technical corrections bill to amend the Second Chance Act of 2007 to ensure that good time credits awarded to elderly inmates are included when the Bureau of Prisons calculates when the prisoner may be eligible to participate in the Elderly Offender Home Detention Pilot Program. Support for oversight and implementation of the First Step Act (P.L. 115-391), including the efficacy of the Department of Justices new risk and needs assessment tool. Opposition to mandatory minimum sentences for juveniles. Activity supporting a reform of the federal bail system to identify alternatives to a presumption of the current money bail system. Activity in support of mitigating the impact of collateral consequences of felony convictions. Discussions on legislation to expand attorney client privilege protection to cover inmate communications with legal counsel. Proposed changes to Customs and Border Protection Directive No. 3340-049 (Border Search of Electronic Devices Containing Information, dated August 20, 2009), Customs and Border Protection Directive No. 3340-049A (Border Search of Electronic Devices, dated January 4, 2018), and Immigration and Customs Enforcement Directive No. 7-6.1 (Border Searches of Electronic Devices, dated August 18, 2009) to prevent border officials from reading, duplicating, seizing, or sharing attorney-client privileged or confidential client documents or information contained on attorneys laptop computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices at U.S. border crossings unless the officials first obtain a subpoena based on reasonable suspicion or a warrant supported by probable cause Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection Proposed Rule on Amendments Relating to Disclosure of Records and Information; Docket No. CFPB-2016-0039; RIN 3170-AA63, 81 Fed. Reg. 58310 (August 24, 2016)-provisions (1) expanding the Bureaus discretion to share confidential information it receives from supervised and regulated entities with other foreign, state, and other governmental agencies and (2) prohibiting subjects of investigations and other recipients of civil investigative demands from disclosing information regarding the Bureaus investigation
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| HOLLY O'GRADY COOK | — |
| LARSON FRISBY | — |
| KENNETH GOLDSMITH | — |
Welfare WEL
Opposition to proposal by the Department of Agriculture to change the eligibility requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in such a way as to remove states authority to extend food assistance to those in need, result in considerable delays in delivering food assistance to eligible persons in crisis, and change the requirements in such a way as exclude millions of current recipients.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| HOLLY O'GRADY COOK | — |
| KENNETH GOLDSMITH | — |
Housing HOU
H.R. 2001, the Homeless Children and Youth Act of 2019 - to amend the Department of Housing and Urban Developments definition of homeless so as to be harmonized with the definition for other agencies.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| HOLLY O'GRADY COOK | — |
| KENNETH GOLDSMITH | — |
Environment/Superfund ENV
General discussions to offer resources as they debate environmental issues such as environmental justice and climate change.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| HOLLY O'GRADY COOK | — |
| DAVID EPPSTEIN | — |
Firearms/Guns/Ammunition FIR
H.R. 8, Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019 H.R. 157, Gun Manufacturers Accountability Act H.R. 1112, Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2019 H.R. 1339, Mass Violence Prevention Act of 2019 H.R. 1324, FAST NICS Act, as it relates to improving the criminal background checks process. General discussions on efforts to reduce gun violence and pending legislation.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| HOLLY O'GRADY COOK | — |
Financial Institutions/Investments/Securities FIN
Draft legislation exempting attorneys engaged in litigation activities from the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureaus regulatory authority. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Proposed Rule on Debt Collection Practices (Regulation F); Docket No. CFPB-2019-0022; RIN 3170-AA41, 84 Fed. Reg. 23274 (May 21, 2019)-provisions creating a safe harbor for meaningful attorney involvement in debt collection litigation submissions. S. 1978 and H.R. 2513, Corporate Transparency Act; and S. 2563, ILLICIT CASH Act -legislation requiring small businesses and their attorneys to disclose detailed information about the businesses beneficial owners to the Treasury Departments Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) and requiring FinCEN to disclose the information to other governmental agencies and financial institutions on request S. 1889, TITLE Act-provisions requiring states, small businesses, and their attorneys to obtain and disclose detailed information about the businesses beneficial owners to FinCEN and requiring FinCEN to disclose the information to other governmental agencies and financial institutions on request, and provisions subjecting attorneys that act as formation agents to the anti-money laundering and suspicious activity reporting requirements of the Bank Secrecy Act S. 779 and H.R. 1712, Stop Tax Haven Abuse Act-provisions subjecting attorneys that act as formation agents to the anti-money laundering and suspicious activity reporting requirements of the Bank Secrecy Act.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| HOLLY O'GRADY COOK | — |
| LARSON FRISBY | — |
| JAMES ALOYSIUS HOGAN | — |
Trade (domestic/foreign) TRD
General communications regarding trade in legal services and market access for U.S. lawyers and firms overseas.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| HOLLY O'GRADY COOK | — |
| KRISTI GAINES | — |
Defense DEF
S.1790/H.R. 2500, National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2020 - provisions relating to Burma/Myanmar, Saudi Arabia, and dog policies in military housing.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| HOLLY O'GRADY COOK | — |
| KRISTI GAINES | — |
Government Issues GOV
General advocacy on filling Judicial Vacancies S. 822, Cameras in the Courtroom Act S. 2064, Electronic Court Records Reform Act H.R. 1164, Electronic Court Records Reform Act H.R. 2429, the ALJ Competitive Service Restoration Act Draft legislation expanding public access to materials that has been incorporated by reference into proposed or final federal agency regulations. Draft legislation amending 28 U.S.C. 1500 to clarify the respective jurisdiction of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims and the U.S. District Court and allowing plaintiffs with claims against the U.S. government to bring simultaneous claims in both courts, with a presumptive stay of the first-filed action. H.R. 1164, Electronic Court Records Reform Act of 2919 - directs the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts to consolidate the federal electronic case management systems, to require documents filed in federal court to be made public when filed, and to provide PACER documents free of charge to the public. H.R. 1566, legislation to reform the Foreign Agents Registration Act H.R. 1522, Congressional and Executive Foreign Lobbying Ban Act S. 1762, Foreign Agents Disclosure and Registration Enhancement Act S. 591, the Guardianship Accountability Act
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| DENISE A CARDMAN | — |
| HOLLY O'GRADY COOK | — |
| LARSON FRISBY | — |
| THOMAS MICHAEL SUSMAN | — |
Civil Rights/Civil Liberties CIV
H.R. 7, S.270, the Paycheck Fairness Act S.J. Res. 6, H.J. Res 35, H.J. Res. 38, the Equal Rights Amendment S. 840, H.R. 1784, the Healthy Families Act H.R. 1585, Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act S. 528, the Fairness for Breastfeeding Mothers Act H.R. 874, Juror Non-Discrimination Act of 2019, and S. 250, Jury ACCESS Act - prohibits exclusion of persons from jury duty in federal courts on account of sexual orientation or gender identity H.R. 5 and S. 788, the Equality Act - prohibits discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity in various areas by including these as prohibited categories of discrimination or segregation, and expands the definition of public accommodation. S. 1721, Gay and Trans Panic Defense Prohibition Act - prohibits criminal defendants from using the victims sexual orientation or gender identity to excuse or justify their conduct or mitigate the severity of an offense in federal court. S. 3191, the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Act of 2018, signed into law on January 8, 2019, as it relates to the ABA providing nominees to the review board and the review board staff; includes discussions with House and Senate staff regarding appropriations to support the review board. Department of Labor Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Proposed Rule Implementing Legal Requirements Regarding the Equal Opportunity Clause's Religious Exemption; RIN 1250-AA09, 84 Fed. Reg. 41677 (August 15, 2019).
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| DENISE A CARDMAN | — |
| HOLLY O'GRADY COOK | — |
| LARSON FRISBY | — |
| THOMAS MICHAEL SUSMAN | — |
Taxation/Internal Revenue Code TAX
Legislation to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude from gross income amounts received on claims based on certain unlawful discrimination and to allow income averaging for back pay and front pay awards.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| HOLLY O'GRADY COOK | — |
| DAVID EPPSTEIN | — |
Health Issues HCR
H.R. 4280, the Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act of 2019 Issues relating to reform to strict liability health fraud legislation know as "Stark Law."
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| HOLLY O'GRADY COOK | — |
| DAVID EPPSTEIN | — |
Veterans VET
H.R. 716, the Homeless Veterans Legal Services Act - to authorize private-public partnerships with the VA to deliver legal services to homeless veterans. H.R. 3749, the Legal Services for Homeless Veterans Act (Panetta), to authorize private-public partnerships with the VA to deliver legal services to homeless veterans, and other purposes. S.980, the Homeless Veterans Prevention Act, to, among other things, authorize private-public partnerships with the VA to deliver legal services to homeless veterans Activity in support of the role of the legal profession in addressing and ending suicide among veterans. Activity in support of increasing opportunities for Tribal Veteran Service Officers to obtain VA accreditation and accompanying resources through existing or new means.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| HOLLY O'GRADY COOK | — |
| KENNETH GOLDSMITH | — |
Foreign Relations FOR
Funding for Democracy, Rights and Governance programs and Contributions for International Organizations General issues on appropriate implementing instruments for democracy and rule of law programs Recommendations for actions to be taken against Burmese government for accountability for crimes against Rohingya and delivery of humanitarian assistance. Issues related to determining accountability and supporting sanctions for individuals involved in the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi Issues related to U.S. arms sales and support for coalition efforts in the war in Yemen
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| HOLLY O'GRADY COOK | — |
| KRISTI GAINES | — |
| THOMAS MICHAEL SUSMAN | — |
Trucking/Shipping TRU
Potential legislation that would provide an exemption for Puerto Rico from the Jones Act.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| HOLLY O'GRADY COOK | — |
| DAVID EPPSTEIN | — |
Medicare/Medicaid MMM
Draft legislation that would establish clear criteria for when a Medicare set-aside may be reviewed by Medicare, provides a time frame for CMS to review set-aside submissions and provides an optional direct payment of set-aside amounts to Medicare.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| HOLLY O'GRADY COOK | — |
| DAVID EPPSTEIN | — |
Budget/Appropriations BUD
H.R. 3055, S. 2584, FY2020 Commerce, Justice, Science, Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, Interior, Environment, Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act - funding for the Legal Services Corporation, the John R. Justice Prosecutor and Defender student loan repayment program, and the Legal Orientation Program. H.R.3351, S. 2524, FY2020 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act-provisions relating to funding for the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Courts, and the Administrative Conference of the United States H.R. 2839, S. 2583, (H.R. 2740), FY2020 Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations - funding for democracy, human rights, and governance programs. H.R. 2740, (H.R. 2740), FY2020 Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act - funding for the Office of Refugee Resettlement, and provisions related to unaccompanied immigrant children and families. Activity in support of funding for the John R. Justice Prosecutor and Defender student loan repayment program.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| DENISE A CARDMAN | — |
| HOLLY O'GRADY COOK | — |
| LARSON FRISBY | — |
| KRISTI GAINES | — |
| KENNETH GOLDSMITH | — |
| JAMES ALOYSIUS HOGAN | — |
| ERIC STOREY | — |
| THOMAS MICHAEL SUSMAN | — |
Immigration IMM
Comments regarding the expansion of expedited removal Communication regarding the implementation of Presidential Proclamation 9645, known as the Travel Ban. Communications regarding immigration court reforms, including establishing an Art. I court. General communications relating to access to counsel, decreasing use of detention and expanding alternatives to detention, increasing resources for the Legal Orientation Program. Issues relating to revising the National Detention Standards applicable to specified facilities. Communication regarding decision to remove the right of certain asylum seekers to receive a bond hearing before an immigration judge. S. 1494, the Secure and Protect Act
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| HOLLY O'GRADY COOK | — |
| KRISTI GAINES | — |
Education EDU
S.1203/H.R. 2441, the What You Can Do For Your Country Act - to strengthen and increase transparency behind administration of the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Higher Education Reauthorization-provisions related to student loans Activity in support of preservation of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program Activity in support of funding for the John R. Justice Prosecutor and Defender student loan repayment program.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| HOLLY O'GRADY COOK | — |
| LARSON FRISBY | — |
| KENNETH GOLDSMITH | — |
| JAMES ALOYSIUS HOGAN | — |
| THOMAS MICHAEL SUSMAN | — |
Shown as published by the Senate Office of Public Records and the House Clerk under the Lobbying Disclosure Act. The official filing is the record; open it for the full form.