Bottom Line

• ENTERTAINMENT. The American Association of Independent Music, a trade group that represents smaller and independent music labels signed up with bipartisan boutique firm Thorsen French Advocacy to work on issues relating to “copyright, immigration, [and] issues of important to independent music labels,” according to lobbying disclosure forms. The group is expanding its presence in Washington as it works to be David to the Recording Industry Association of America’s Goliath. 

• DEFENSE. Aerojet Rocketdyne, which manufactures rockets and missile propulsion equipment, signed two new lobbying firms, including one run by former Alabama Gov. Bob Riley (R), who also served as a congressman for six years. The addition of Ervin Hill Strategy and Bob Riley & Associates brings the company’s outside lobby firm-count to eight as it works on aerospace issues, including the Air Force’s Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program. 

• TRADE. Former Rep. Steve LaTourette (R-Ohio) is lobbying for the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, a trade union, about trade promotion authority, which gives President Obama the ability to expedite deals being negotiated by the administration through Congress. Unions have been vocal opponents of those deals, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which would connect the United States and 11 other Pacific Rim nations. 

• GAMBLING. An attempt to make online gaming illegal has spawned a coalition to push Congress to act. The effort began last year and has been bankrolled by billionaire casino owner Sheldon Adelson, but it’s just now signing up with some K Street reinforcements. The Coalition to Stop Internet Gambling signed up with Squire Patton Boggs and J.C. Watts Companies, firms each stocked with former lawmakers, with former Reps. J.C. Watts (R-Okla.) and Ronald Dellums (D-Calif.) at the latter, and former Sens. Trent Lott (R-Miss.) and John Breaux (D-La.) at Squire Patton Boggs.