Bottom Line: Bezos’s Blue Origin lobbies up for space launch funding

Jeff Bezos’s space company Blue Origin hired S-3 Group to lobby on issues related to space launch logistics in the annual defense appropriations bill. Blue Origin has received nearly $1.5 billion in government contracts over the past five years from NASA, according to federal contracting data, including for launch services, research and procurement. One of the lobbyists on the account is John ​Scofield, former communications director for the House Appropriations Committee.

The ​National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) drafted theGROUP DC to lobby on issues including name, image and likeness (NIL). The NCAA program allows student athletes to profit off their personal brand, but it has caused headaches for coaches. David Cleary, former Republican staff director for the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, will work on the account.

Michael Best Strategies signed United, which wants the firm to lobby on issues related to federal aviation regulation, taxation and appropriations. One of the lobbyists on the account is Alexander Angelson, who previously served in the White House Office of Legislative Affairs as special assistant to President Trump during his first term.

Adobe also added Michael Best Strategies to its lobbying roster to work on issues including artificial intelligence, antitrust and appropriations. Brittan Specht, former counselor to Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and deputy chief of staff for policy to former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), will work on the account.

​DoorDash hired Stewart Strategies and Solutions to deliver wins on issues related to delivery service apps, technology and labor. Ebony Simpson, who worked on the Hill for Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), will work on the account.

Gap hired Ridge Path Strategies to lobby on trade issues related to tariff, the minimum tariff threshold for inbound shipments and tariffs on China. The firm will also lobby on tax issues including the corporate minimum tax rate, which Trump has suggested lowering further to 15 percent from 21 percent. The lobbyist on the account is Brian Diffell, a Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) alum.