Bottom Line

• HEALTHCARE. Liberty Partners Group is lobbying for Sandy Hook Promise, an advocacy group fighting for gun control. The group, which has taken up the mental health issue as a way of protecting children and families from guns, is focused on legislation in the House and Senate meant to reform mental health policy. Specifically, Rep. Tim Murphy (R-Pa.), a trained psychologist, has introduced the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act. The measure has attracted 123 co-sponsors. In the upper chamber, Sens. Bill
Cassidy (R-La.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) have taken up the mantle, introducing the Mental Health Reform Act earlier this year. Two of the staff members of Sandy Hook Promise had children killed in the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in December 2012.

• FOREIGN AFFAIRS. Grieboski Global Strategies is working for the Federal Republic of Somalia, which is currently  dealing with violence waged by al-Shabaab militants within its borders. Lobbyists will work to advance “the interests of the government of Somalia within the United States Congress,” disclosure forms say. “Specific issues include U.S. foreign assistance to Somalia, trade regulation, and foreign affairs priorities in the region.”

{mosads}• Public relations giant Edelman is being paid $16,500 to represent the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA), which issues foreign investment licenses. Abdullatif Al-Othman, the governor of SAGIA, visited Washington on Sept. 3 and 4, and the firm was tasked with arranging meetings and raising “the profile of Saudi Arabia as an attractive investment destination,” according to the contract filed with the Justice Department. Among other tasks, the firm had to “build and strengthen internal and external relationships with key stakeholders and media who shape opinion on Saudi Arabia’s economic situation.”

• GAMBLING. Former Rep. Jon Porter (R-Nev.) and his lobby firm, Porter Group, are lobbying on current attempts to ban online gambling for new client NeoPollard Interactive. The company has specialized in “interactive lottery gaming” for about a decade. Casino owners and state-based lotteries are among the most vocal critics of online gambling, with many supporting legislation called the Restoration of America’s Wire Act that would direct the Justice Department to crack down on Internet gaming. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who is running for president, reintroduced the bill over the summer, and Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) is the leader in the House.