Ex-lawmaker lobbying for telecom giant on Defense bill

The company hired Porter Gordon Silver Communications last month, according to new Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) records, and is being represented by former Rep. Jon Porter (R-Nev.) and former congressional staffers Bob Cochran and Dan Mauer.

The House Armed Services Committee last week finished up work on its version of the National Defense Reauthorization Act, and senators will begin marking up their version of the military spending bill this week.

The bill is a top lobbying priority for companies, like Harris Corp., that contract with the Pentagon.

Harris makes radios and other equipment for aircraft, ships and soldiers, and boasts on its website that it has equipment “on virtually every major air platform used by the U.S. military.”

But the company’s reach extends to other federal departments, including the Department of Homeland Security. Last month, Harris announced it was awarded a $45 million by the Customs and Immigration Enforcement to support the agency’s “tactical communications networks.”

“Harris will team with Computer Sciences Corporation and other subcontractors to provide round-the-clock technical support for the frontline operations of approximately 15,000 law enforcement officers,” the company said in as statement.

Harris Corp. has kept an active presence in Washington, spending $14.5 million on lobbying since 2009, including $3.9 million in 2012.