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Joe Manchin’s former aides lobby Congress for oil, gas, pharma giants

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As several former advisers to Joe Manchin lobby Congress for corporate clients, Sen. Joe Manchin works hard to minimize or eliminate the key components of President Joe Biden’s enormous social spending and climate proposals.

According to over two dozen filings made to Congress, Manchin is a moderate West Virginia Democrat. He has at most six ex-aides and advisers who lobby members of Congress for power players such as senators.

CNBC has reviewed all lobbying disclosure records for the period ending in September. It covers the quarter that began July and ended September.

Manchin, also chair of Senate Energy Committee has been challenging pieces of Biden’s now-$1.75 billion climate and social plan. The plan’s many parts could adversely affect the businesses that his former aides have been lobbying for.

On Tuesday, Democrats overcame one their greatest hurdles. reachedA breakthrough agreement was reached on the topic of lowering prescription drug costs.

Although the reports on lobbying do not indicate whether Manchin’s office or his advisors were targeted, they are clear that Manchin was directly targeted. Jonathan Kott (one of the lobbyists) has publicly stated that he had. privately called the West Virginia senator. Manchin said Larry Puccio is another ex-advisor who lobby the Senate. “dear friend.”

Manchin used to employ at least two lobbyists. Senate rules require that ex-staffers wait one year after they leave a congressional office before engaging in direct lobbying. If they have not earned a minimum salary while serving in Congress they can still lobby the Senate.

None of the lobbyists or Manchin’s offices responded to requests for comment prior to publication.

Kott served as Manchin’s communications director and senior advisor for seven years. Kott began lobbying to support the gas giant ExxonMobilAccording to lobbying disclosures he started working in the third trimester after being hired by Capitol Counsel, June 2021.

Exxon paid Kott $10,000 to lobby Congress. This included lobbying activities on issues such as monitoring legislation that impacts energy production and development, and lobbying for tax reform and energy taxes.

Kott said that he is familiar with Manchin’s contact information. Kott said to The Washington Post that he tried not to contact him due his busy schedule, but that he is available when he needs.

Exxon has been lobbying against Biden’s agenda. a more than $275,000 Facebook ad campaign targeting tax hikes Democrats have proposed. Darren Woods is Exxon’s Chief Executive Officer toldAlexandria Ocasio-Cortez a progressive House lawmaker (D-N.Y.), revealed during a recent hearing that she had taken part in calls with Congress members as legislators put together a spending plan that included $1 trillion for infrastructure and $550 billion to combat climate change.

Kott and the firm that employs him also was paid $50,000 in the third quarter to lobby Congress by the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, a trade association “representing the makers of the fuels that keep Americans moving and the petrochemicals that are the essential building blocks for modern life,” according to their website. Representatives from several of the largest oil and natural gas corporations, such as BP, are on the board. ExxonMobil Chevron BASFAnd Dow Inc

Patrick Hayes, a partner at Kountoupes Denham Carr & Reid, was once Manchin’s chief of staff. He has has been lobbying for a mix of clean energy companies and the ​Industrial Minerals Association, which according to its website is a “premier trade association representing the interests of North American companies that mine or process the industrial minerals.”

Hayes’s lobbying efforts on behalf of the continuing budget dispute and coronavirus pandemic were funded by the mining trade organization. Hayes received $30,000 from the association.

Some of the solar and clean energy companies – including Breakthrough Technologies, which was founded by tech billionaire Bill Gates – had Hayes lobby Congress on the Democrats infrastructure bill, according to third quarter filings.

Puccio was once Manchin’s chief of staff during his time as governor of West Virginia. He registered in February to lobby federally.

Sandy Bay Partners is an investment management company based in Florida. One of his most recent clients was Sandy Bay Partners. According to their LinkedIn profile, “We sponsor and manage investment programs that are focused on real estate development and private equity.”

According to third quarter disclosure, Puccio received $10,000 from Sandy Bay in order to lobby Senator on the subject of “conservation easements.” Puccio also received $75,000 in the last few months for lobbying the Appalachian Natural Gas Operators Coalition. This West Virginia-based company focuses on oil and natural gas, according to a lobbying registration record.

According to the report, Puccio lobbyed Congress and Biden’s Department of Energy in the third quarter on energy infrastructure and proposed taxes.

Manchin has known Puccio for many years. A longtime lobbyist, Puccio spoke to a West Virginia newspaper about their friendship during a 2020 interview.

Joe and me are extremely close. Joe is my hero. It would be a great idea to print it. Joe Manchin has always had my support. Joe is a friend of mine and Joe is a good friend.” Puccio said at the time.

Thomas J. Lucas was made vice-president at Crossroads Strategies after six years of service in Manchin’s Office. Lucas lobbied legislators for two major pharmaceutical firms and for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (a trade organization that represents and advocates for the pharmaceutical industry).

The latest disclosure report states that Lucas and his team lobbyed politicians on a number of issues related to Merck drugmaker Merck. These included those “related to healthcare, the Food and Drug Administration(FDA), 340B Programme, drug pricing and importation of biopharmaceuticals and international pharmaceutical supply chains, and health care.” Crossroads Strategies received $40,000 in compensation for the most recent Merck work.

Bristol-Myers Squibb, a drugmaker, paid $40,000 last quarter for Lucas and his fellow lobbyists to work on similar issues. The trade organization PhRMA invested $60,000 in their lobbying services.

Elliot Howard worked as a senator for Manchin. He joined Massie Partners in January. In the third quarter, he lobbied for several corporations giants such as the oil-and gas megacorporation Massie Partners. BP, Colonial Pipeline, NRG EnergyAnd Magellan Midstream Partners

Howard’s contributions helped Massie Partners to bring in $150,000.

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