Lobbying

Bottom Line: Speaker Johnson’s new policy director lobbied for Ford during union strikes

by Taylor Giorno - 11/07/23 6:00 AM ET

Greg Nash
A K St. banner is seen in downtown Washington, D.C., on Monday, January 30, 2023.

Automotives

Ford Motor Company hired Williams and Jensen to lobby on issues impacting the automaker. The registration was effective Oct. 1, when Ford was one of the “Big Three” auto giants engaged in negotiations with the United Auto Workers (UAW) union. Ford, General Motors and Stellantis each reached agreements with the UAW at the end of October after six weeks of targeted strikes, although the tentative deals are now up for a vote by union members.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) announced last week that one of the lobbyists on the account, Dan Ziegler, will join his leadership team as policy director. Ziegler is the former executive director of the Republican Study Committee, which Johnson previously chaired.

Defense

Williams and Jensen also registered to lobby on behalf of the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining on issues related to the annual defense authorization bill as well as additive manufacturing and machining. Jordan Mills, former regional director for Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), will work on the account.

The defense contractor L3 Harris Technologies hired Velocity Government Relations to lobby on national defense and intelligence appropriations. One of the lobbyists on the account is Jo-Anne Sears, a former senior strategic communications adviser to the Air Force Secretary and the principal space adviser.

Caregiving

The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers hired Healthsperien to advocate for federal support for U.S. caregivers. Around 53 million Americans are currently caring for aging, ill or disabled family members, according to the Institute, which was founded by former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, who was diagnosed with dementia in May. Andrew MacPherson, a Capitol Hill and Democratic Governors Association alumnus, will work on the account.

State governance

Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck LLP hired Northern Compass Group to lobby on issues related to Alaskan statehood defense and autonomy on behalf of the State of Alaska’s Department of Law. Former Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska) will work on the account.