Lawmakers Question Role of Trade-Staffers-Turned-Lobbyists By Jennifer Bendery House lawmakers opposed to pending free-trade agreements may be taking a different tack to try to derail such deals: tougher lobbying rules on former U.S. trade officials. In a Monday letter to Gene Dodaro, acting comptroller general of the Government Accountability Office, eight Democratic Members requested a…

US Tyres Traders Challenge Chinese Imports Petition By Denna Bowman Six US tyres importers are challenging the United Steelworkers union (USW) petition asking the International Trade Commission to limit the number of tyres imported from China. The importers have formed the American Coalition for Free Trade in Tyres and are drawing up strategies to defeat…

USW, Importers Pleading Cases at USTR Hearing By Tire Business Staff Reporter WASHINGTON -- Representatives of the United Steelworkers (USW), tire importers/distributors and Chinese tire makers are scheduled to plead their cases today at a hearing at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) for and against proposed duties on imported Chinese passenger and…

Shippers resist efforts to toughen port security By Samuel Loewenberg Citing flaws in the Bush administration’s port security program, some coastal senators, backed by local port officials and unions, are pushing for tougher security. But they face resistance from retailers and shippers who say that the current voluntary system is effective and that the new…

Specials’ Merit Special Attention From Lobbyists By Kate Ackley As if lobbyists didn’t already get enough pressure from Members to donate to their thirsty campaign coffers, this year, in a Congress marked by resignations and deaths, candidates in special elections are mining the pockets of K Street as well. With such fierce competition for cash…

K Street Files: Lobbyists for McCain By Kate Ackley A group of young K Streeters for Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) will spend Super Tuesday helping their candidate fill his presidential coffers. McCain himself won’t make it to the $100-per-person event - he plans to be in Arizona - but organizers say they are working on…

Food Distributors Lobby on Health, Tax Food Distributors Group Hires Black Swan to Lobby Government on Health, Tax Issues WASHINGTON -- The International Foodservice Distributors Association hired Black Swan LLC to lobby the federal government, according to a disclosure form. The firm will monitor general health insurance and tax legislation, according to the form posted…

Tiny Antigua Roils U.S. IP By Kate Ackley With a decision likely just weeks away in a multiyear Internet gambling dispute between the United States and the Caribbean island nation of Antigua and Barbuda, lobbyists who are keeping a close eye on the case are putting their cards on the table. The international dispute, brought…

The Hill: Bottom line By Administrator TRADE: Black Swan LLC has registered to lobby for several new clients. According to records filed with the Senate, Black Swan will be lobbying for the Antigua Online Gaming Association on Internet gambling issues, including litigation in the World Trade Organization. The group has also registered to lobby for…