K Street navigates virtual inauguration week

Business groups and lobbyists missed out on yet another crucial time to meet clients and lawmakers in person with the largely virtual inauguration of President Biden. 

K Street veterans kicked off the arrival of the Biden era through online events that have become more commonplace in an industry that thrives on face-to-face meetings.

Democratic groups held events around Inauguration Day to show support for new members of Congress in their party and to hold onto some semblance of what inauguration typically brings to Washington, albeit without the glitzy galas and steady stream of receptions that usually take up the week.

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee hosted its main event Tuesday evening with its newest members: Sens. John Hickenlooper (Colo.), Mark Kelly (Ariz.), and Ben Ray Luján (N.M.), Jon Ossoff (Ga.), Alex Padilla (Calif.) and Raphael Warnock (Ga.).

The event was open to individuals who contributed at least $15,000 in the 2020 cycle and to political action committees (PAC) that contributed at least $30,000 during that period.

For House members, two events were held for the New Democrat Coalition, a group of moderate Democratic lawmakers: One was a virtual brunch, while the other was a “Trivia and Toast” that included Ireland’s Ambassador to the United States Daniel Mulhall.

The challenges facing Democratic donors and lobbyists this week were reminiscent of the all online Democratic National Convention, a setting that prevented lobbying firms from offering clients first-class treatment and hindered efforts to make introductions to lawmakers.

Official inauguration galas were all canceled, a stark contrast from this time in 2017 when former President Trump and former first lady Melania Trump stopped by three official balls.

Instead, groups held their gatherings online this week.

The Texas State Society hosted its “Black Tie & Boots” event Tuesday with lobbyists, congressional staffers and other supporters, including Texas Reps. Jodey Arrington (R), Michael Burgess (R), Kevin Brady (R) and Sylvia Garcia (D).

A virtual event that evening included Sen. John Cornyn (R), Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R), and Texas Reps. Sheila Jackson Lee (D) and Dan Crenshaw (R), with sponsors Aflac, Chevron, ExxonMobil, AT&T, ConocoPhillips and law firm Mayer Brown.

Typically, inauguration events provide an opportunity for the business community to host large events and invite new members, as well as new lawmakers and administration officials, to make connections early on in a new presidency or Congress.

It’s also a time when celebrities come to Washington, much like the annual White House correspondents’ dinner, which was also canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Instead, musicians like Bruce Springsteen, John Legend and the Foo Fighters participated in an inaugural TV special called “Celebrating America” on Wednesday evening, with Josh Groban and Patti LaBelle slated to perform at the Inaugural National Prayer Service on Thursday.

The Human Rights Campaign held its LGBTQ Inaugural event, “The Power of Equality,” on Wednesday to commemorate the historic election of President Biden and Vice President Harris. It featured singer Billy Porter and actor Matt Bomer, among other celebrities. 

The event also included Biden’s Transportation Secretary nominee Pete Buttigieg, Sens. Hickenlooper, Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore), as well as Reps. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), David Cicilline (D-R.I.) and Mark Takano (D-Calif.).

The event livestream was free to watch but tickets to the online reception started at $35 for members and went up to $400 for ambassadors.

Other fundraisers included one hosted by #WinWithBlackWomen, a group that supported Harris during the 2020 campaign. Their Jan. 13 fundraiser featured a performance by Porter and other celebrities like Star Jones and Kristin Chenoweth. The group’s virtual pre-inauguration fundraiser was attended by lobbyists, members of the media and Capitol Hill staffers.