Facebook has doubled down in its lobbying battle on Capitol Hill, with the recent hire of two additional D.C.-based lobbying firms as the social network prepares to roll out its controversial cryptocurrency venture, Libra.
 |
The social media giant just hired D.C. lobbying firm Hollier & Associates on matters pertaining to blockchain policy, as well as data privacy and cyber security issues, according to lobbying registration documents filed with Congress in September.
Managing the Facebook account will be Hollier president Will Hollier, who was formerly chief of staff and legislative director to Senator and Senate Banking Committee chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho).
Other Hollier & Assocs. clients include Microsoft, Visa, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, OfficeMax and The Conservation Fund.
Facebook also recently retained public policy and communications consulting firm The Williams Group to handle “cryptocurrency regulation” issues, according to September lobbying disclosure documents.
WG founder Michael Williams handles that account. Williams previously served as staff director of legislative affairs during the Clinton Administration, as well as special assistant to the President, where he was a key member of the team responsible for developing and implementing that Admin’s agenda on financial services, tax and international trade legislation.
The additional lobbying retainers follow Facebook’s August pact with D.C.-based cryptocurrency, blockchain and financial services specialists FS Vector in response to the increased Congressional and regulatory pushback the social media network has received in light of its planned blockchain digital currency offering.
FS Vector partner John Collins, who led Congress’ first work into digital currencies and previously served as VP of international policy at the Bankers Association for Finance and Trade, leads the Facebook account.
Carlsbad, a north San Diego County city of 115K people, is looking for a firm to provide government relations and Sacramento lobbying services.
Gordon Sondland, who was US ambassador to the European Union under Donald Trump, has registered as a representative of Ukraine’s cabinet and ministers.
The Daschle Group is representing Santa Monica-based Stand with Hong Kong Action, an advocacy group that fights to end Chinese repression in Hong Kong.
McKinsey & Co. has reached out to Republican shop Harbinger Strategies to educate policymakers about the activities of the embattled management consultancy.
Scotland’s SaxaVord Spaceport, which is the UK’s only facility for vertical rocket launches, has hired Alexandria’s Brian Glackin & Assocs. for Washington representation on aerospace and defense matters.
Have a comment? Send it to 
No comments have been submitted for this story yet.