Lobbying

Bottom Line: McKinsey adds lobbyists amid foreign work scrutiny

by Taylor Giorno - 03/05/24 6:00 AM ET

Greg Nash
A K St. banner is seen in downtown Washington, D.C., on Monday, January 30, 2023.

Business

McKinsey & Company hired Harbinger Strategies to educate policymakers on company activities. During a Senate subcommittee hearing last month, senators grilled McKinsey Global Managing Partner Bob Sternfels on his company’s work for the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund and Chinese state-owned companies.

One of the lobbyists on the account is John Leganski, who joined Harbinger in January after serving in former Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s (R-Calif.) office, most recently as deputy chief of staff.

Defense

RTX Corporation, the company formerly known as Raytheon, hired Forbes Tate to lobby on appropriations and authorization issues related to defense, transportation and science, including Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization. Samantha McLean, former senior legislative assistant to Senate Commerce Committee ranking member Ted Cruz (R-Texas), will work on the account.

United Launch Alliance, Lockheed Martin and Boeing’s space launch joint venture, hired PRASAM to lobby on issues related to space launches. Joseph Vealencis, the former deputy staff director for the House Homeland Security Committee who previously served in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence’s Office of Legislative Affairs, will work on the account.

Budget

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America hired Cornerstone Government Affairs to lobby on issues related to appropriations, youth mentorship and workforce development, including the Youth Workforce Readiness Act and the RISE from Trauma Act. Robin Juliano, former staff director of the House Appropriations Committee, will work on the account.

Soccer

FWC2026, the 2026 FIFA World Cup organizer, hired Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP to lobby on issues related to preparation to host the upcoming global tournament. One of the lobbyists on the account is Marne Marotta, former legislative assistant to Sen. John Barrasso (Wyo.), the No. 3 Republican in the chamber and a potential successor to Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.).

Cryptocurrency

Ripple Labs hired FGS Global to lobby on issues and legislation related to digital assets, crypto currencies and blockchain. One of the lobbyists on the account is Kevin Bailey, a former staffer to then-ranking member, now-Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) of the Senate Agriculture Committee.