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BlackRock, the high-profile global investment firm, has hired Cornerstone Government Affairs for strategic counsel on asset management industry dynamics related to working with Congress.
Due to its past commitment to environmental and social issues, Larry Fink’s firm has been front and center in the anti-woke backlash.
Indiana on Aug. 21 issued a cease-and-desist order against BlackRock for alleged securities fraud tied to its ESG products. Secretary of State Diego Morales accused BlackRock of misleading investors about its efforts to push ESG goals.
Despite the Hoosier State tussle, BlackRock’s support for shareholder ESG issues is but a fraction of its 2021 peak.
It backed 20 of the 493 ESG proposals, or four percent of the total, put forward at annual meetings during the 12-month period ended June. That compares to 47 percent of the 2021 proposals.
Cornerstone's David Planning and Christopher Hodgson handle the BlackRock push.
Planning was president Donald Trump’s special assistant for legislative affairs, handling outreach to the Financial Services and Energy & Commerce Committees. He also also worked on relations with leadership of the Republican Party.
Hodgson was vice president Mike Pence’s special assistant for legislative affairs, and deputy floor directory for House Majority Whip Steve Scalise.
BlackRock has $10.6T in assets under management.
Anthropic, the San Francisco-based artificial intelligence start-up, has retained Republican powerhouse firm Fierce Government Relations for DC representation.
Chad Horrell, who was senior manager for government relations at DoorDash, has joined BGR Group as VP in its state and local practice.
Continental Strategy, which has close ties with the Trump administration, has registered Geneva-based Rolex as a client for services regarding the tariffs on watch imports.
Kimberly-Clark calls on Ballard Partners as it moves to acquires Kenvue, maker of Tylenol. 
Brett Horton, who was chief of staff to House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, has joined the American Hotel & Lodging Assn. as its chief advocacy officer, a new position.
