![]() ![]() As one registrant explained in a Fara filing, they intend “to lobby members of the US government to increase US Department of Defense spending on contracts related to equipment and other efforts which will aid the ability of the Ukrainian military to succeed in its fight against the Russian military”. Many of these new pro-bono Ukrainian lobbyists are pushing for greater US military support for the Ukrainian military. “I don’t recall a comparable surge in pro-bono work for any foreign principal,” said David Laufman, a partner at the law firm Wiggin and Dana, who previously oversaw Fara enforcement at the justice department. Before the war, just 11 Fara registrants were working on behalf of Ukrainian interests. Twenty-five registrants have agreed to represent Ukrainian interests pro bono since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. ![]() US law requires agents of foreign principals who are engaged in political activities to make periodic public disclosures of their relationship under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (Fara). While the influence industry may have altruistic reasons for representing Ukraine pro bono, some lobbying firms also have financial incentives for aiding Ukraine: they’ve made millions lobbying for arms manufacturers that could profit from the war. The invasion has led some of the lobbying industry’s biggest players to do the unthinkable – lobby for free. But, arguably, one of the most crucial industries coming to Ukraine’s aid has been Washington’s powerful lobbying industry. Following Russian president Vladimir Putin’s internationally condemned decision to invade Ukraine there was an outpouring of support to the besieged nation from seemingly every industry in America.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |