Bottom Line

• DEFENSE. Poland is working with a U.S. defense contractor to purchase and set up billions of dollars’ worth of U.S.-made Patriot missile-defense systems. Raytheon, which manufactures the surface-to-air missile system, earns about 30 percent of its revenue from foreign sales. In February, Raytheon hired former Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) and former Rep. Howard Berman (D-Calif.) at law and lobby firm Covington & Burling to work on “issues associated with U.S. governments response to Poland’s request for proposal for missile system,” according to recently posted disclosure forms.

• TAXES. Anheuser-Busch Companies hired The Raben Group — its 15th lobby firm — as the beer giant gears up to push the Fair BEER Act, legislation that changes how excise taxes are levied on the beer industry. The company, which is the world’s largest brewer, is facing off with the craft beer industry, which is advocating for opposing legislation, the Small BREW Act.

{mosads}• TRADE. Coca-Cola and Dow Chemical Co. are each jumping in to the trade debate as the Obama administration works to complete massive agreements with countries in Asia and the European Union. Coca-Cola hired DLA Piper to work on “legislative and regulatory matters impacting the beverage industry including international trade negotiations, tax reform efforts, and environmental issues,” forms say. Dow Chemical, meanwhile, hired FTI Consulting to lobby on international trade issues. The lobbyist on the account, Jackson Dunn, previously worked in the Clinton White House, “coordinating the business community’s support of President Clinton’s economic and trade agenda,” his bio says.

• FINANCIAL SERVICES. Moneygram International, an international money-transfer provider, registered an in-house lobbyist to work on “issues related to money transmission.” The company could come under increased regulatory scrutiny, now that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has outlined new rules for money-transmitting services aimed at increasing disclosure and flexibility for consumers of the products. Helen-Mary McGovern, a former Clinton White House aide, will be handling the advocacy work.