Politico

By: Tarini Parti and Matt Yurus

TOO SOON TO CALL TPA A K-STREET FAIL? Millions spent on lobbying to advance fast-track legislation weren’t enough to convince the Senate, which voted to stall the bill on Tuesday. Business interests that listed TPA as one of the issues they lobbied on in the first quarter spent at least $88 million overall (obviously not all of that spending was on trade-related issues), according to a review of LDA reports by PI. But lobbyists working on the issue believe it’s too soon to call it a K Street failure.

“In order to figure out what this means for K Street, we have to figure out if this hiccup is a stumble or the beginning of the end,” said Manny Ortiz of Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck. “Those working closely with the White House and private sector feel confident this bill will pass.”

Kevin Madden, who has been working on behalf of a the Trade Benefits America coalition, said: “Optimism still remains high. The pro-trade community recognizes that while all of the time and effort spent elevating local employers and workers on behalf of trade has helped us reach the Senate floor with this legislation, this effort was always going to require perseverance.”

Some also said that yesterday’s vote was more of a failure for the White House than K Street. “Today’s vote had more to do with the ineffectiveness of the White House’s legislative affairs operation and Senate Democrats’ moving the goal posts in terms of the bills they wanted packaged with TPA,” said one of the lobbyists. “I would say the White House has more egg on its face than the business community at this point.”

GOOD WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, where it’s been 75 years since Winston Churchill gave his first speech as prime minister: “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.” Send your lobbying news, gossip and tips to tparti@politico.com and follow us on @tparti and @PoliticoPI.

LEVICK NAMES KLINGLER SVP: LEVICK hired Hans Klingler as a senior vice president in the firm’s issue advocacy and public affairs team. Klingler previously served as chief of staff to House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul. Before that he was the chief of staff to House Republican Conference Chairman Jeb Hensarling.

“Hans Klingler is one of the country’s most sought after political minds, and we want to harness his unmatched skill at framing an issue in ways that connect with target audiences,” said Mark Irion, president of the firm.

CASSIDY SIGNS FIVE: Cassidy & Associates has signed five new clients — most of them as part of the firm’s expanding defense practice, the firm told PI. The new clients are Greater Omaha Economic Development Partnership, Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, State of New Jersey, Upper Limit Aviation, Rafe Pomerance and Tampa Microwave.

MAYBERG AND WEISMANN LAUNCH NONPROFIT: Louis Mayberg, former chairman and founder of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, and Anne Weismann, former chief counsel for CREW, have created a new nonprofit, Campaign for Accountability. Mayberg is a founder and Weismann will serve as its executive director. The new group comes after top Clinton ally David Brock became chairman of CREW’s board. Campaign for Accountability will use research, communications and litigation to provide oversight and expose misconduct in public life, according to a press release.

LATEST FLY-INS — BRAIN ANEURYSM SURVIVORS, AMBASSADOR ANIMALS MEET MEMBERS:

— Squire Patton Boggs has a team of lobbyists on Capitol Hill on behalf of the Brain Aneurysm Foundation. Teams of brain aneurysm survivors and their family members are seeking research funding to raise awareness of the condition.

— The Association of Zoos and Aquariums is bringing leaders from the zoo and aquarium profession to talk to members of Congress about importance of AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums in communities. Members will also meet “special ambassador animals” at the group’s reception.

PLAYBOOK THEFT — SPHERE CONSULTING HIRES FORMER NYT REPORT: Sphere Consulting has hired former regulatory policy journalist Edward Wyatt as senior vice president. Wyatt, who took the buyout at the Times last year, covered financial services, telecom, technology policy, and education for 20 years.

ELSEWHERE IN THE INFLUENCE WORLD:

SUPER PAC INVENTOR: Alex Altman of Time writes about the man who invented the super PAC. http://ti.me/1IB62gY

PROGRESSIVE CAMPAIGN FINANCE PLAN: Joseph Stiglitz, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Mayor Bill de Blasio of New York included a public option for financing campaigns, reports Jim Tankersley of The Washington Post. http://wapo.st/1E5yBx1

DIGITAL REAL ESTATE SOLD OUT: Websites are already selling out of ad inventory for 2016, reports Shane Goldmacher of National Journal. http://bit.ly/1A0oIpx

NEW JOINT FUNDRAISING COMMITTEES:

None

NEW PAC REGISTRATIONS (Type of PAC):

PPL Energy Supply, LLC (PAC)

NEW LOBBYING REGISTRATIONS: (Firm: Client)

Capitol Counsel LLC: International Securities

Commonwealth Strategic Partners, LLC: Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association

Commonwealth Strategic Partners, LLC: City of Kenner, Louisana

Commonwealth Strategic Partners, LLC: Jenkins Hill Consulting, LLC

Commonwealth Strategic Partners, LLC: The Bunker

Delta Strategy Group: NACUBO

Dilworth Paxson LLP: Bentham Capital

Dilworth Paxson LLP: Gannett Corp.

Gordon Thomas Honeywell Governmental Affairs: BYD Motors

Summit Strategies Government Affairs LLC: Green Electronics Council

NEW LOBBYING TERMINATIONS: (Firm: Client (Type of Termination))

Catholic Health East: Catholic Health East (Q2 Termination (no activity))

S4 Group: American Gifts Network Corp. (Q1 Termination)