Church of Scientology US Lobbying: Difference between revisions
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== Pro bono lobbyists == |
=== Pro bono lobbyists === |
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According to public disclosure records (see External links), the following lobbyists volunteered to advocate to Scientology's best interest in (number?) branches of the US Government. |
According to public disclosure records (see External links), the following lobbyists volunteered to advocate to Scientology's best interest in (number?) branches of the US Government. |
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=== [[:Category:Peter Klestadt | Peter Klestadt]] === |
==== [[:Category:Peter Klestadt | Peter Klestadt]] ==== |
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Peter Klestadt, a [[:Category:Grunfeld, Desiderio, Lebowitz, Silverman & Klestadt | Grunfeld, Desiderio, Lebowitz, Silverman & Klestadt]] lobbyist, worked as an unpaid emissary for Church of Spiritual Technology interests from (dates?). Scientology spent no money on Klestadt's services, which focused primarily on the following issues: |
Peter Klestadt, a [[:Category:Grunfeld, Desiderio, Lebowitz, Silverman & Klestadt | Grunfeld, Desiderio, Lebowitz, Silverman & Klestadt]] lobbyist, worked as an unpaid emissary for Church of Spiritual Technology interests from (dates?). Scientology spent no money on Klestadt's services, which focused primarily on the following issues: |
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=== [[:Category:Richard Wortman | Richard Wortman]] === |
==== [[:Category:Richard Wortman | Richard Wortman]] ==== |
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Rich Wortman, a [[:Category:Grunfeld, Desiderio, Lebowitz, Silverman & Klestadt | Grunfeld, Desiderio, Lebowitz, Silverman & Klestadt]] lobbyist, worked as unpaid emissary for Church of Spiritual Technology interests from (dates?). Scientology spent no money on Wortman's services, which focused primarily on the following issues: |
Rich Wortman, a [[:Category:Grunfeld, Desiderio, Lebowitz, Silverman & Klestadt | Grunfeld, Desiderio, Lebowitz, Silverman & Klestadt]] lobbyist, worked as unpaid emissary for Church of Spiritual Technology interests from (dates?). Scientology spent no money on Wortman's services, which focused primarily on the following issues: |
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== Quid pro quo lobbyists == |
=== Quid pro quo lobbyists === |
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According to public disclosure records (see External links), the following hired gun lobbyists advocated for Scientology's best interest in (number?) branches of the US Government. |
According to public disclosure records (see External links), the following hired gun lobbyists advocated for Scientology's best interest in (number?) branches of the US Government. |
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=== [[:Category:Stephen Amitay | Stephen Amitay]] === |
==== [[:Category:Stephen Amitay | Stephen Amitay]] ==== |
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Steve Amitay, a [[:Category:Federal Legislative Associates | Federal Legislative Associates ]] lobbyist, worked as an advocate for Religious Technology Center interests from (dates?). Scientology spent approximately (moneyamt?) for Amitay's services, which focused primarily on the following issues: |
Steve Amitay, a [[:Category:Federal Legislative Associates | Federal Legislative Associates ]] lobbyist, worked as an advocate for Religious Technology Center interests from (dates?). Scientology spent approximately (moneyamt?) for Amitay's services, which focused primarily on the following issues: |
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=== [[:Category:Sam Brunelli | Sam Brunelli]] === |
==== [[:Category:Sam Brunelli | Sam Brunelli]] ==== |
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Sam Brunelli, a [[:Category:Team Builders | Team Builders]] lobbyist, worked as an advocate for Citizens Commission on Human Rights interests from (dates?). Scientology spent approximately (moneyamt?) for Brunelli's services, which focus primarily on the following issues: |
Sam Brunelli, a [[:Category:Team Builders | Team Builders]] lobbyist, worked as an advocate for Citizens Commission on Human Rights interests from (dates?). Scientology spent approximately (moneyamt?) for Brunelli's services, which focus primarily on the following issues: |
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=== [[:Category:Dan Burton | Politician Dan Burton ]] === |
==== [[:Category:Dan Burton | Politician Dan Burton ]] ==== |
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Former Congressman Danny Lee Burton, a [[:Category:Dan Burton International LLC | self-employed ]] lobbyist, currently works as an advocate for Church of Scientology International interests. Scientology has spent approximately (moneyamt?) for Burton's services since he first registered CSI as his only client on (date?), and he has primarily focused on the following issues: |
Former Congressman Danny Lee Burton, a [[:Category:Dan Burton International LLC | self-employed ]] lobbyist, currently works as an advocate for Church of Scientology International interests. Scientology has spent approximately (moneyamt?) for Burton's services since he first registered CSI as his only client on (date?), and he has primarily focused on the following issues: |
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=== [[:Category:Lybra Clemons | Lybra Clemons]] === |
==== [[:Category:Lybra Clemons | Lybra Clemons]] ==== |
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Lybra Clemons, a [[:Category:Federal Legislative Associates | Federal Legislative Associates ]] lobbyist, worked as a hired gun advocate for Religious Technology Center interests from (dates?). Scientology spent approximately (moneyamt?) for Clemons' services, which focused primarily on the following issues: |
Lybra Clemons, a [[:Category:Federal Legislative Associates | Federal Legislative Associates ]] lobbyist, worked as a hired gun advocate for Religious Technology Center interests from (dates?). Scientology spent approximately (moneyamt?) for Clemons' services, which focused primarily on the following issues: |
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=== [[:Category:David H. Miller | David H. Miller]] === |
==== [[:Category:David H. Miller | David H. Miller]] ==== |
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David Miller, a [[:Category:Federal Legislative Associates | Federal Legislative Associates ]] lobbyist, worked as an advocate for Religious Technology Center interests from (dates?). Scientology spent approximately (moneyamt?) for Miller's services, which focused primarily on the following issues: |
David Miller, a [[:Category:Federal Legislative Associates | Federal Legislative Associates ]] lobbyist, worked as an advocate for Religious Technology Center interests from (dates?). Scientology spent approximately (moneyamt?) for Miller's services, which focused primarily on the following issues: |
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=== [[:Category:Greg Mitchell | Scientologist Greg Mitchell]] === |
==== [[:Category:Greg Mitchell | Scientologist Greg Mitchell]] ==== |
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Greg Mitchell, a [[:Category:The Mitchell Firm | self-employed]] lobbyist, currently works as an advocate for Church of Scientology International interests. Scientology has spent approximately (moneyamt?) for Mitchell's services since he first registered CSI as a client on (dates), and he has primarily focused on the following issues: |
Greg Mitchell, a [[:Category:The Mitchell Firm | self-employed]] lobbyist, currently works as an advocate for Church of Scientology International interests. Scientology has spent approximately (moneyamt?) for Mitchell's services since he first registered CSI as a client on (dates), and he has primarily focused on the following issues: |
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== Other representatives == |
=== Other representatives === |
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The following experts were reportedly advocating for Scientology's best interest to the US Government in the past, but no public disclosure records exist in the online databases due to either date limitations and/or disclosure exemptions for certain types of social activities. |
The following experts were reportedly advocating for Scientology's best interest to the US Government in the past, but no public disclosure records exist in the online databases due to either date limitations and/or disclosure exemptions for certain types of social activities. |
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=== [[:Category:Joseph Grieboski | Consultant Joe Grieboski]] === |
==== [[:Category:Joseph Grieboski | Consultant Joe Grieboski]] ==== |
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=== [[:Category:Hill & Knowlton | Publicists Hill & Knowlton]] === |
==== [[:Category:Hill & Knowlton | Publicists Hill & Knowlton]] ==== |
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Revision as of 03:23, 2 August 2016
Lobbying in the United States describes paid and pro bono activity in which special interests hire well-connected professional advocates, typically lawyers and former bureaucrats, to argue for or against specific legislation and regulations in decision-making bodies of government. It is a highly controversial phenomenon, often seen in a negative light by journalists and the American public when corporations use lobbying as a means of gaining influence for the benefit of their own profitable.[1] While the bulk of lobbying happens by business and professional interests who hire paid professionals, some lobbyists represent non-profits pro bono for social issues. Pro bono lobbyists typically coordinate advocacy activities to sway public opinion, form like-minded coalitions for promoting a common cause and socialize with local legislators at events like fundraisers and awards ceremonies.[2] Public disclosure documentation shows that the Church of Scientology lobbying activities primarily focuses on two areas: corporate interests related to swaying legislation and regulatory actions that financially benefits one or more of their organizations; and foreign policy leverage for enlisting help when other countries deny them the same non-profit tax breaks or religious freedoms they enjoy in the United States.
Annual spending summary
The Church of Scientology has a long history of using lobbyists to gain influence and special interest protections. Their efforts significantly increased after gaining tax exempt status from the IRS in 1993 with annual spending ranging in the high six-digit figures and cumulative totals topping $1 million dollars for a period of 5-6 years.[3] Public records currently available online from the Center for Responsive Politics, the US House of Representatives and the US Senate reflect a downward trend in recent years for money spent by Scientology entities where it took a dozen years for cumulative annual spending to top $1 million dollars.[4]
Religious Technology Center
http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/clientsum.php?id=F22357
Church of Scientology International
http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/clientsum.php?id=D000048670
Church of Spiritual Technology
http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/clientsum.php?id=F3734
Citizens Commission of Human Rights
http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/clientsum.php?id=F51254
Cumulative totals
Registered agents
(add lobbyists by corp + meta info, quick reference table)
Pro bono lobbyists
According to public disclosure records (see External links), the following lobbyists volunteered to advocate to Scientology's best interest in (number?) branches of the US Government.
Peter Klestadt
Peter Klestadt, a Grunfeld, Desiderio, Lebowitz, Silverman & Klestadt lobbyist, worked as an unpaid emissary for Church of Spiritual Technology interests from (dates?). Scientology spent no money on Klestadt's services, which focused primarily on the following issues:
- (main issues list)
Richard Wortman
Rich Wortman, a Grunfeld, Desiderio, Lebowitz, Silverman & Klestadt lobbyist, worked as unpaid emissary for Church of Spiritual Technology interests from (dates?). Scientology spent no money on Wortman's services, which focused primarily on the following issues:
- (main issues list)
Quid pro quo lobbyists
According to public disclosure records (see External links), the following hired gun lobbyists advocated for Scientology's best interest in (number?) branches of the US Government.
Stephen Amitay
Steve Amitay, a Federal Legislative Associates lobbyist, worked as an advocate for Religious Technology Center interests from (dates?). Scientology spent approximately (moneyamt?) for Amitay's services, which focused primarily on the following issues:
- (main issues list)
Sam Brunelli
Sam Brunelli, a Team Builders lobbyist, worked as an advocate for Citizens Commission on Human Rights interests from (dates?). Scientology spent approximately (moneyamt?) for Brunelli's services, which focus primarily on the following issues:
- (main issues list)
Politician Dan Burton
Former Congressman Danny Lee Burton, a self-employed lobbyist, currently works as an advocate for Church of Scientology International interests. Scientology has spent approximately (moneyamt?) for Burton's services since he first registered CSI as his only client on (date?), and he has primarily focused on the following issues:
- (main issues list)
Lybra Clemons
Lybra Clemons, a Federal Legislative Associates lobbyist, worked as a hired gun advocate for Religious Technology Center interests from (dates?). Scientology spent approximately (moneyamt?) for Clemons' services, which focused primarily on the following issues:
- (main issues list)
David H. Miller
David Miller, a Federal Legislative Associates lobbyist, worked as an advocate for Religious Technology Center interests from (dates?). Scientology spent approximately (moneyamt?) for Miller's services, which focused primarily on the following issues:
- (main issues list)
Scientologist Greg Mitchell
Greg Mitchell, a self-employed lobbyist, currently works as an advocate for Church of Scientology International interests. Scientology has spent approximately (moneyamt?) for Mitchell's services since he first registered CSI as a client on (dates), and he has primarily focused on the following issues:
- (main issues list)
Other representatives
The following experts were reportedly advocating for Scientology's best interest to the US Government in the past, but no public disclosure records exist in the online databases due to either date limitations and/or disclosure exemptions for certain types of social activities.
Consultant Joe Grieboski
...
Publicists Hill & Knowlton
...
Focus of lobbyist activity
(add agency/govbody by corp/lobbyist + meta info, quick reference table)
Governing bodies
US House of Representatives
US Senate
White House
Executive branch and cabinet departments
Department of Homeland Security
US Citizenship and Immigration Services
US Department of Justice
Federal Bureau of Prisons
US State Department
International Religious Freedom Commission
US Trade Representative
Defense and military branches
US Department of Defense
US Army
Other federal agencies
US Department of Commerce
US Department of Education
US Department of Health and Human Services
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA
Common issues
(add issue by agency/lobbyist + meta info, quick reference table)
Targeted legislation
- National Criminal Justice Commission Act
- International Religious Freedom Act of 1998
- Religious Freedom Restoration Act
- Second Chance Act
- Religious Worker Visa Extension Act
- Special Immigrant Nonminister Religious Worker Program Act
- Prison Litigation Reform Act
- Trans-Atlantic Religious Protection Act
- Freedom to Trade Act
- Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
See also
- Direct Lobbying in the United States article from Wikipedia
- Lobbying in the United States article from Wikipedia
Notes
- ↑ Evangeline Marzec of Demand Media (2012-01-14). "What Is Corporate Lobbying?". Chron.com. http://smallbusiness.chron.com/corporate-lobbying-11729.html. Retrieved 2016-07-29.
- ↑ Barry Hessenius (2007). "Hardball Lobbying for Nonprofits: Real advocacy for nonprofits in the new century". Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 1-4039-8202-3. Retrieved 2016-07-30.
- ↑ David Dahl of St. Petersburg Times (1998-03-2). "Scientology's influence grows in Washington". sptimes.com. http://www.sptimes.com/Worldandnation/32998/Scientology_s_influen.html. Retrieved 2016-07-30.
- ↑ Hunter Walker of Business Insider (2015-04-8). "Meet Scientology's lobbyist who works the halls of Congress for the church". businessinsider.com. http://www.businessinsider.com/church-of-scientology-washington-lobbyist-2015-4. Retrieved 2016-07-30.