Success Stories
Intellectual Property
When vague language in an international agreement inadvertently triggered a crisis in intellectual property (IP) enforcement, U.S. exporters of nearly five billion dollars of IP content goods and thousands of jobs were put at risk. Our firm was retained by a prominent media & entertainment company to quarter-back advocacy and educate key stakeholders regarding the need to consolidate federal efforts to combat copyright infringement. The Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act or "Pro-IP Act" passed by unanimous consent in the Senate, strong support in the House and was signed into law on October 13, 2008.
Clean Energy
Following the 2006 midterm elections, the Bush Administration terminated plans for a public-private partnership to build a first-of-its-kind coal-fueled, near-zero carbon capture sequestration plant. Our firm was retained by FutureGen, a non-profit consortium of leading international energy companies invested in the partnership to educate members of Congress about the urgency of consumers' demand for viable, clean sources of energy in light of skyrocketing energy prices. The firm helped the project achieve federal support for the partnership in early 2009, including, in January 2009 legislation committing federal funding for similar projects, and, in June 2009, a "provisional agreement" between the Department of Energy and the FutureGen Alliance. According to the agreement, the Department of Energy will issue a record of decision (ROD) in mid-July which will be followed by several actions through early 2010 to implement the project.
Tax
Following a legal battle, U.S. courts determined that the Export Clause of the Constitution prevented the imposition of an excise tax on an exported commodity and, therefore, taxes collected on the commodity should be able to claim a refund. Our firm was retained by one of the commodity's producers to develop legislative language to create the procedure under which certain qualifying exporters could claim a refund. In September 2008, the language was included in the Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008 as part of the Extenders' package.
Coalition Launch
Our firm was retained by a prominent health care trade association to elevate the visibility of the importance of medical innovation at a national level. Our firm identified and recruited members to form a council for this purpose, in addition to developing public forums and providing Mr. Gephardt's participation as a spokesperson and expert.
Health Care
We were retained by a national coalition dedicated to establishing guaranteed access to affordable, high quality health care for all Americans. Our specific contribution to their work included helping the organization expand its membership base to a wide spectrum of stakeholders, ranging from national and international labor unions, businesses, providers, and patient advocates. We also assisted in the development of a consensus proposal for their advocacy work at the federal level.
Transportation
Building contractors and waste haulers are currently subject to a federal excise tax to fund road maintenance. Our firm was retained by two parties who had long petitioned the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for a tax refund in instances where the fuel was used for purposes that did not impose wear-and-tear on roads. In March 2009, our firm helped the client secure a provision in the FY 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act which asked the IRS to review their study and issue a rule to address the issue.
News
Georgia Hires Gephardt for Lobbying
The Hill | January 31, 2010
By Kevin Bogardus
Georgia has signed former House Democratic Leader Richard Gephardt (Mo.) to lobby for it in Washington.
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Coalition Urges Congress and Obama Administration to Create National Infrastructure Bank
PRNewswire-USNewswire | January 20, 2010
At a Capitol Hill Press conference today alongside Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Governor Ed Rendell (PA), Dick Gephardt today called for the creation of a National Infrastructure Bank.
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Middle Ground Shrinks in Debate
Politico | December 25, 2009
By Patrick O'Connor and Manu Raju
The bipartisanship that went on for 30 years was abnormal, and what you're seeing now is more normal," said former House Majority Leader Dick Gephardt, a Democrat from Missouri. "You've got to always remember that politics is a substitute for violence. ... If I disagree with you, it becomes very easy to not like you.
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Statement By Tommy Thompson and Richard Gephardt on Health-Care Reform Legislation
America's Agenda: Health Care for All | December 20, 2009
Tommy Thompson and Richard Gephardt, Board members of America's Agenda: Health Care for All, today released the following statement on the Senate Health-Care reform bill.
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