Bottom Line

• ENERGY. The Center for Liquefied Natural Gas will be getting help from Mehlman Vogel Castagnetti in the push for increased exports. Mehlman Vogel will educate lawmakers about the “economic benefits of exporting liquefied natural gas,” according to lobbying disclosure records. Lobbyists on the account include Kelly Bingel, a veteran of former Sen. Blanche Lincoln’s (D-Ark.) office, and Charles Wooters, who worked as the chief of staff to Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.).

• FOOD. The Grocery Manufacturers Association has assembled some of K Street’s top guns to lobby on the farm bill. The newest hire for the group is Elmendorf Ryan, with lobbyists Steve Elmendorf and Stacey Alexander working on issues related to “general food” and “consumer packaged goods.” The grocers trade association has also hired Fierce, Isakowitz & Blalock to lobby on the farm bill.

{mosads}• IMMIGRATION. The Chamber of Commerce is leading the charge on immigration reform with some reinforcements from K Street. The business group has hired Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck to lobby on comprehensive immigration reform, including the Senate’s Gang of Eight bill. Marc Lampkin, once general counsel for the House Republican Conference, and Elizabeth Maier, a former legislative director for ex-Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.), are among the lobbyists hitting the pavement for the Chamber.

Capitol Legislative Strategies has contracted with the National Restaurant Association to lobby on comprehensive immigration reform, including the Senate bill, as well as on “all matters related to employment verification systems.” Charles Mellody, once an assistant to the House Ways and Means Committee chairman, is one of the lobbyists on the account. The restaurant association has been heavily involved in the Senate negotiations on a comprehensive bill.

• GAMING. Lobbyists are seeing a return on the Capitol Hill action on Internet gambling. Navigators Global has been hired by Osage Casinos, based in Tulsa, Okla., to lobby on “Internet gaming.” John Tahsuda, once majority staff director for the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, is representing the company.