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\n\"We're trying to keep this as clean and expedient as possible.\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","post_title":"Intense lobbying erupts over potential pairing of credit card and cryptocurrency legislation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"intense-lobbying-erupts-over-potential-pairing-of-credit-card-and-cryptocurrency-legislation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7834","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":38},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
he said in a February interview with Punchbowl News. One of the proponents of the stablecoin bill, Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., told Semafor on Wednesday, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"We're trying to keep this as clean and expedient as possible.\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","post_title":"Intense lobbying erupts over potential pairing of credit card and cryptocurrency legislation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"intense-lobbying-erupts-over-potential-pairing-of-credit-card-and-cryptocurrency-legislation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7834","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":38},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\n\"This is not one where I would be inclined to change my long-stated view,\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
he said in a February interview with Punchbowl News. One of the proponents of the stablecoin bill, Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., told Semafor on Wednesday, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"We're trying to keep this as clean and expedient as possible.\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","post_title":"Intense lobbying erupts over potential pairing of credit card and cryptocurrency legislation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"intense-lobbying-erupts-over-potential-pairing-of-credit-card-and-cryptocurrency-legislation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7834","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":38},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\n\n\"This is not one where I would be inclined to change my long-stated view,\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
he said in a February interview with Punchbowl News. One of the proponents of the stablecoin bill, Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., told Semafor on Wednesday, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"We're trying to keep this as clean and expedient as possible.\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","post_title":"Intense lobbying erupts over potential pairing of credit card and cryptocurrency legislation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"intense-lobbying-erupts-over-potential-pairing-of-credit-card-and-cryptocurrency-legislation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7834","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":38},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\nHill has been a strong opponent of Marshall and Durbin's bill and doesn't appear to be going anywhere: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"This is not one where I would be inclined to change my long-stated view,\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
he said in a February interview with Punchbowl News. One of the proponents of the stablecoin bill, Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., told Semafor on Wednesday, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"We're trying to keep this as clean and expedient as possible.\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","post_title":"Intense lobbying erupts over potential pairing of credit card and cryptocurrency legislation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"intense-lobbying-erupts-over-potential-pairing-of-credit-card-and-cryptocurrency-legislation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7834","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":38},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\nThe inclusion of the credit card amendment \"puts me on the spot, doesn't it?\" asked Durbin, who is against the larger stablecoin plan. However, with 69 senators voting to advance it on Wednesday and 60 senators needing to vote to pass it, the crypto measure doesn't have much space to lose support. Because of this, the majority of the sector is cautious of frightening off Republican politicians like Tillis. Supporters are optimistic that French Hill, R-Ark., the Financial Services Chair, would pass the bill unaltered in the House.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hill has been a strong opponent of Marshall and Durbin's bill and doesn't appear to be going anywhere: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"This is not one where I would be inclined to change my long-stated view,\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
he said in a February interview with Punchbowl News. One of the proponents of the stablecoin bill, Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., told Semafor on Wednesday, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"We're trying to keep this as clean and expedient as possible.\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","post_title":"Intense lobbying erupts over potential pairing of credit card and cryptocurrency legislation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"intense-lobbying-erupts-over-potential-pairing-of-credit-card-and-cryptocurrency-legislation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7834","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":38},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\nThe cryptocurrency sector is currently subtly urging its supporters on Capitol Hill<\/a> to prevent the amendment from being put to a vote. Some in the business argue that more Democrats may support the swipe charge measure if it were approved by a simple majority vote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The inclusion of the credit card amendment \"puts me on the spot, doesn't it?\" asked Durbin, who is against the larger stablecoin plan. However, with 69 senators voting to advance it on Wednesday and 60 senators needing to vote to pass it, the crypto measure doesn't have much space to lose support. Because of this, the majority of the sector is cautious of frightening off Republican politicians like Tillis. Supporters are optimistic that French Hill, R-Ark., the Financial Services Chair, would pass the bill unaltered in the House.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hill has been a strong opponent of Marshall and Durbin's bill and doesn't appear to be going anywhere: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"This is not one where I would be inclined to change my long-stated view,\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
he said in a February interview with Punchbowl News. One of the proponents of the stablecoin bill, Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., told Semafor on Wednesday, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"We're trying to keep this as clean and expedient as possible.\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","post_title":"Intense lobbying erupts over potential pairing of credit card and cryptocurrency legislation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"intense-lobbying-erupts-over-potential-pairing-of-credit-card-and-cryptocurrency-legislation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7834","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":38},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\n\"We still haven't made a decision. Marshall said to Semafor on Wednesday, \"We're still measuring twice before we cut once.\" He claimed he hadn't determined how to handle the amendment and didn't want to talk about it any more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cryptocurrency sector is currently subtly urging its supporters on Capitol Hill<\/a> to prevent the amendment from being put to a vote. Some in the business argue that more Democrats may support the swipe charge measure if it were approved by a simple majority vote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The inclusion of the credit card amendment \"puts me on the spot, doesn't it?\" asked Durbin, who is against the larger stablecoin plan. However, with 69 senators voting to advance it on Wednesday and 60 senators needing to vote to pass it, the crypto measure doesn't have much space to lose support. Because of this, the majority of the sector is cautious of frightening off Republican politicians like Tillis. Supporters are optimistic that French Hill, R-Ark., the Financial Services Chair, would pass the bill unaltered in the House.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hill has been a strong opponent of Marshall and Durbin's bill and doesn't appear to be going anywhere: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"This is not one where I would be inclined to change my long-stated view,\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
he said in a February interview with Punchbowl News. One of the proponents of the stablecoin bill, Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., told Semafor on Wednesday, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"We're trying to keep this as clean and expedient as possible.\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","post_title":"Intense lobbying erupts over potential pairing of credit card and cryptocurrency legislation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"intense-lobbying-erupts-over-potential-pairing-of-credit-card-and-cryptocurrency-legislation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7834","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":38},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\nOn Tuesday, Marshall submitted his proposal as an amendmen<\/a>t to the stablecoin bill in the Senate. However, it's unclear if he would advocate for a floor vote. Durbin said that since the swipe charge concept had never before seen floor action, he was unsure if it would receive 60 votes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"We still haven't made a decision. Marshall said to Semafor on Wednesday, \"We're still measuring twice before we cut once.\" He claimed he hadn't determined how to handle the amendment and didn't want to talk about it any more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cryptocurrency sector is currently subtly urging its supporters on Capitol Hill<\/a> to prevent the amendment from being put to a vote. Some in the business argue that more Democrats may support the swipe charge measure if it were approved by a simple majority vote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The inclusion of the credit card amendment \"puts me on the spot, doesn't it?\" asked Durbin, who is against the larger stablecoin plan. However, with 69 senators voting to advance it on Wednesday and 60 senators needing to vote to pass it, the crypto measure doesn't have much space to lose support. Because of this, the majority of the sector is cautious of frightening off Republican politicians like Tillis. Supporters are optimistic that French Hill, R-Ark., the Financial Services Chair, would pass the bill unaltered in the House.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hill has been a strong opponent of Marshall and Durbin's bill and doesn't appear to be going anywhere: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"This is not one where I would be inclined to change my long-stated view,\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
he said in a February interview with Punchbowl News. One of the proponents of the stablecoin bill, Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., told Semafor on Wednesday, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"We're trying to keep this as clean and expedient as possible.\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","post_title":"Intense lobbying erupts over potential pairing of credit card and cryptocurrency legislation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"intense-lobbying-erupts-over-potential-pairing-of-credit-card-and-cryptocurrency-legislation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7834","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":38},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\nFor years, the conflicting interests and their large financial stakes have kept the Republican Party so split that the swipe charge measure was never put to a roll-call vote. Vice President JD Vance signed the law when serving as a senator, but he later privately informed lobbyists that he would not attempt to promote it. This is just one example of the complicated dynamics at work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Tuesday, Marshall submitted his proposal as an amendmen<\/a>t to the stablecoin bill in the Senate. However, it's unclear if he would advocate for a floor vote. Durbin said that since the swipe charge concept had never before seen floor action, he was unsure if it would receive 60 votes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"We still haven't made a decision. Marshall said to Semafor on Wednesday, \"We're still measuring twice before we cut once.\" He claimed he hadn't determined how to handle the amendment and didn't want to talk about it any more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cryptocurrency sector is currently subtly urging its supporters on Capitol Hill<\/a> to prevent the amendment from being put to a vote. Some in the business argue that more Democrats may support the swipe charge measure if it were approved by a simple majority vote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The inclusion of the credit card amendment \"puts me on the spot, doesn't it?\" asked Durbin, who is against the larger stablecoin plan. However, with 69 senators voting to advance it on Wednesday and 60 senators needing to vote to pass it, the crypto measure doesn't have much space to lose support. Because of this, the majority of the sector is cautious of frightening off Republican politicians like Tillis. Supporters are optimistic that French Hill, R-Ark., the Financial Services Chair, would pass the bill unaltered in the House.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hill has been a strong opponent of Marshall and Durbin's bill and doesn't appear to be going anywhere: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"This is not one where I would be inclined to change my long-stated view,\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
he said in a February interview with Punchbowl News. One of the proponents of the stablecoin bill, Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., told Semafor on Wednesday, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"We're trying to keep this as clean and expedient as possible.\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","post_title":"Intense lobbying erupts over potential pairing of credit card and cryptocurrency legislation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"intense-lobbying-erupts-over-potential-pairing-of-credit-card-and-cryptocurrency-legislation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7834","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":38},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\nMy coworkers won't be surprised by it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For years, the conflicting interests and their large financial stakes have kept the Republican Party so split that the swipe charge measure was never put to a roll-call vote. Vice President JD Vance signed the law when serving as a senator, but he later privately informed lobbyists that he would not attempt to promote it. This is just one example of the complicated dynamics at work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Tuesday, Marshall submitted his proposal as an amendmen<\/a>t to the stablecoin bill in the Senate. However, it's unclear if he would advocate for a floor vote. Durbin said that since the swipe charge concept had never before seen floor action, he was unsure if it would receive 60 votes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"We still haven't made a decision. Marshall said to Semafor on Wednesday, \"We're still measuring twice before we cut once.\" He claimed he hadn't determined how to handle the amendment and didn't want to talk about it any more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cryptocurrency sector is currently subtly urging its supporters on Capitol Hill<\/a> to prevent the amendment from being put to a vote. Some in the business argue that more Democrats may support the swipe charge measure if it were approved by a simple majority vote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The inclusion of the credit card amendment \"puts me on the spot, doesn't it?\" asked Durbin, who is against the larger stablecoin plan. However, with 69 senators voting to advance it on Wednesday and 60 senators needing to vote to pass it, the crypto measure doesn't have much space to lose support. Because of this, the majority of the sector is cautious of frightening off Republican politicians like Tillis. Supporters are optimistic that French Hill, R-Ark., the Financial Services Chair, would pass the bill unaltered in the House.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hill has been a strong opponent of Marshall and Durbin's bill and doesn't appear to be going anywhere: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"This is not one where I would be inclined to change my long-stated view,\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
he said in a February interview with Punchbowl News. One of the proponents of the stablecoin bill, Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., told Semafor on Wednesday, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"We're trying to keep this as clean and expedient as possible.\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","post_title":"Intense lobbying erupts over potential pairing of credit card and cryptocurrency legislation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"intense-lobbying-erupts-over-potential-pairing-of-credit-card-and-cryptocurrency-legislation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7834","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":38},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\n\"I'd go from being a co-sponsor to trying to figure out how to tank the [stablecoin] bill if the swipe fee measure got attached.\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
My coworkers won't be surprised by it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For years, the conflicting interests and their large financial stakes have kept the Republican Party so split that the swipe charge measure was never put to a roll-call vote. Vice President JD Vance signed the law when serving as a senator, but he later privately informed lobbyists that he would not attempt to promote it. This is just one example of the complicated dynamics at work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Tuesday, Marshall submitted his proposal as an amendmen<\/a>t to the stablecoin bill in the Senate. However, it's unclear if he would advocate for a floor vote. Durbin said that since the swipe charge concept had never before seen floor action, he was unsure if it would receive 60 votes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"We still haven't made a decision. Marshall said to Semafor on Wednesday, \"We're still measuring twice before we cut once.\" He claimed he hadn't determined how to handle the amendment and didn't want to talk about it any more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cryptocurrency sector is currently subtly urging its supporters on Capitol Hill<\/a> to prevent the amendment from being put to a vote. Some in the business argue that more Democrats may support the swipe charge measure if it were approved by a simple majority vote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The inclusion of the credit card amendment \"puts me on the spot, doesn't it?\" asked Durbin, who is against the larger stablecoin plan. However, with 69 senators voting to advance it on Wednesday and 60 senators needing to vote to pass it, the crypto measure doesn't have much space to lose support. Because of this, the majority of the sector is cautious of frightening off Republican politicians like Tillis. Supporters are optimistic that French Hill, R-Ark., the Financial Services Chair, would pass the bill unaltered in the House.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hill has been a strong opponent of Marshall and Durbin's bill and doesn't appear to be going anywhere: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"This is not one where I would be inclined to change my long-stated view,\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
he said in a February interview with Punchbowl News. One of the proponents of the stablecoin bill, Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., told Semafor on Wednesday, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"We're trying to keep this as clean and expedient as possible.\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","post_title":"Intense lobbying erupts over potential pairing of credit card and cryptocurrency legislation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"intense-lobbying-erupts-over-potential-pairing-of-credit-card-and-cryptocurrency-legislation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7834","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":38},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\n\n\"I'd go from being a co-sponsor to trying to figure out how to tank the [stablecoin] bill if the swipe fee measure got attached.\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
My coworkers won't be surprised by it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For years, the conflicting interests and their large financial stakes have kept the Republican Party so split that the swipe charge measure was never put to a roll-call vote. Vice President JD Vance signed the law when serving as a senator, but he later privately informed lobbyists that he would not attempt to promote it. This is just one example of the complicated dynamics at work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Tuesday, Marshall submitted his proposal as an amendmen<\/a>t to the stablecoin bill in the Senate. However, it's unclear if he would advocate for a floor vote. Durbin said that since the swipe charge concept had never before seen floor action, he was unsure if it would receive 60 votes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"We still haven't made a decision. Marshall said to Semafor on Wednesday, \"We're still measuring twice before we cut once.\" He claimed he hadn't determined how to handle the amendment and didn't want to talk about it any more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cryptocurrency sector is currently subtly urging its supporters on Capitol Hill<\/a> to prevent the amendment from being put to a vote. Some in the business argue that more Democrats may support the swipe charge measure if it were approved by a simple majority vote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The inclusion of the credit card amendment \"puts me on the spot, doesn't it?\" asked Durbin, who is against the larger stablecoin plan. However, with 69 senators voting to advance it on Wednesday and 60 senators needing to vote to pass it, the crypto measure doesn't have much space to lose support. Because of this, the majority of the sector is cautious of frightening off Republican politicians like Tillis. Supporters are optimistic that French Hill, R-Ark., the Financial Services Chair, would pass the bill unaltered in the House.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hill has been a strong opponent of Marshall and Durbin's bill and doesn't appear to be going anywhere: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"This is not one where I would be inclined to change my long-stated view,\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
he said in a February interview with Punchbowl News. One of the proponents of the stablecoin bill, Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., told Semafor on Wednesday, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"We're trying to keep this as clean and expedient as possible.\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","post_title":"Intense lobbying erupts over potential pairing of credit card and cryptocurrency legislation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"intense-lobbying-erupts-over-potential-pairing-of-credit-card-and-cryptocurrency-legislation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7834","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":38},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\nHe went on to say, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"I'd go from being a co-sponsor to trying to figure out how to tank the [stablecoin] bill if the swipe fee measure got attached.\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
My coworkers won't be surprised by it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For years, the conflicting interests and their large financial stakes have kept the Republican Party so split that the swipe charge measure was never put to a roll-call vote. Vice President JD Vance signed the law when serving as a senator, but he later privately informed lobbyists that he would not attempt to promote it. This is just one example of the complicated dynamics at work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Tuesday, Marshall submitted his proposal as an amendmen<\/a>t to the stablecoin bill in the Senate. However, it's unclear if he would advocate for a floor vote. Durbin said that since the swipe charge concept had never before seen floor action, he was unsure if it would receive 60 votes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"We still haven't made a decision. Marshall said to Semafor on Wednesday, \"We're still measuring twice before we cut once.\" He claimed he hadn't determined how to handle the amendment and didn't want to talk about it any more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cryptocurrency sector is currently subtly urging its supporters on Capitol Hill<\/a> to prevent the amendment from being put to a vote. Some in the business argue that more Democrats may support the swipe charge measure if it were approved by a simple majority vote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The inclusion of the credit card amendment \"puts me on the spot, doesn't it?\" asked Durbin, who is against the larger stablecoin plan. However, with 69 senators voting to advance it on Wednesday and 60 senators needing to vote to pass it, the crypto measure doesn't have much space to lose support. Because of this, the majority of the sector is cautious of frightening off Republican politicians like Tillis. Supporters are optimistic that French Hill, R-Ark., the Financial Services Chair, would pass the bill unaltered in the House.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hill has been a strong opponent of Marshall and Durbin's bill and doesn't appear to be going anywhere: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"This is not one where I would be inclined to change my long-stated view,\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
he said in a February interview with Punchbowl News. One of the proponents of the stablecoin bill, Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., told Semafor on Wednesday, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"We're trying to keep this as clean and expedient as possible.\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","post_title":"Intense lobbying erupts over potential pairing of credit card and cryptocurrency legislation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"intense-lobbying-erupts-over-potential-pairing-of-credit-card-and-cryptocurrency-legislation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7834","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":38},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\n\"It's a terrible policy.\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
He went on to say, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"I'd go from being a co-sponsor to trying to figure out how to tank the [stablecoin] bill if the swipe fee measure got attached.\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
My coworkers won't be surprised by it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For years, the conflicting interests and their large financial stakes have kept the Republican Party so split that the swipe charge measure was never put to a roll-call vote. Vice President JD Vance signed the law when serving as a senator, but he later privately informed lobbyists that he would not attempt to promote it. This is just one example of the complicated dynamics at work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Tuesday, Marshall submitted his proposal as an amendmen<\/a>t to the stablecoin bill in the Senate. However, it's unclear if he would advocate for a floor vote. Durbin said that since the swipe charge concept had never before seen floor action, he was unsure if it would receive 60 votes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"We still haven't made a decision. Marshall said to Semafor on Wednesday, \"We're still measuring twice before we cut once.\" He claimed he hadn't determined how to handle the amendment and didn't want to talk about it any more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cryptocurrency sector is currently subtly urging its supporters on Capitol Hill<\/a> to prevent the amendment from being put to a vote. Some in the business argue that more Democrats may support the swipe charge measure if it were approved by a simple majority vote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The inclusion of the credit card amendment \"puts me on the spot, doesn't it?\" asked Durbin, who is against the larger stablecoin plan. However, with 69 senators voting to advance it on Wednesday and 60 senators needing to vote to pass it, the crypto measure doesn't have much space to lose support. Because of this, the majority of the sector is cautious of frightening off Republican politicians like Tillis. Supporters are optimistic that French Hill, R-Ark., the Financial Services Chair, would pass the bill unaltered in the House.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hill has been a strong opponent of Marshall and Durbin's bill and doesn't appear to be going anywhere: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"This is not one where I would be inclined to change my long-stated view,\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
he said in a February interview with Punchbowl News. One of the proponents of the stablecoin bill, Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., told Semafor on Wednesday, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"We're trying to keep this as clean and expedient as possible.\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","post_title":"Intense lobbying erupts over potential pairing of credit card and cryptocurrency legislation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"intense-lobbying-erupts-over-potential-pairing-of-credit-card-and-cryptocurrency-legislation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7834","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":38},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\n\n\"It's a terrible policy.\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
He went on to say, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"I'd go from being a co-sponsor to trying to figure out how to tank the [stablecoin] bill if the swipe fee measure got attached.\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
My coworkers won't be surprised by it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For years, the conflicting interests and their large financial stakes have kept the Republican Party so split that the swipe charge measure was never put to a roll-call vote. Vice President JD Vance signed the law when serving as a senator, but he later privately informed lobbyists that he would not attempt to promote it. This is just one example of the complicated dynamics at work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Tuesday, Marshall submitted his proposal as an amendmen<\/a>t to the stablecoin bill in the Senate. However, it's unclear if he would advocate for a floor vote. Durbin said that since the swipe charge concept had never before seen floor action, he was unsure if it would receive 60 votes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"We still haven't made a decision. Marshall said to Semafor on Wednesday, \"We're still measuring twice before we cut once.\" He claimed he hadn't determined how to handle the amendment and didn't want to talk about it any more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cryptocurrency sector is currently subtly urging its supporters on Capitol Hill<\/a> to prevent the amendment from being put to a vote. Some in the business argue that more Democrats may support the swipe charge measure if it were approved by a simple majority vote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The inclusion of the credit card amendment \"puts me on the spot, doesn't it?\" asked Durbin, who is against the larger stablecoin plan. However, with 69 senators voting to advance it on Wednesday and 60 senators needing to vote to pass it, the crypto measure doesn't have much space to lose support. Because of this, the majority of the sector is cautious of frightening off Republican politicians like Tillis. Supporters are optimistic that French Hill, R-Ark., the Financial Services Chair, would pass the bill unaltered in the House.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hill has been a strong opponent of Marshall and Durbin's bill and doesn't appear to be going anywhere: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"This is not one where I would be inclined to change my long-stated view,\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
he said in a February interview with Punchbowl News. One of the proponents of the stablecoin bill, Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., told Semafor on Wednesday, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"We're trying to keep this as clean and expedient as possible.\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","post_title":"Intense lobbying erupts over potential pairing of credit card and cryptocurrency legislation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"intense-lobbying-erupts-over-potential-pairing-of-credit-card-and-cryptocurrency-legislation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7834","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":38},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\nAccording to Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"It's a terrible policy.\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
He went on to say, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"I'd go from being a co-sponsor to trying to figure out how to tank the [stablecoin] bill if the swipe fee measure got attached.\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
My coworkers won't be surprised by it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For years, the conflicting interests and their large financial stakes have kept the Republican Party so split that the swipe charge measure was never put to a roll-call vote. Vice President JD Vance signed the law when serving as a senator, but he later privately informed lobbyists that he would not attempt to promote it. This is just one example of the complicated dynamics at work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Tuesday, Marshall submitted his proposal as an amendmen<\/a>t to the stablecoin bill in the Senate. However, it's unclear if he would advocate for a floor vote. Durbin said that since the swipe charge concept had never before seen floor action, he was unsure if it would receive 60 votes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"We still haven't made a decision. Marshall said to Semafor on Wednesday, \"We're still measuring twice before we cut once.\" He claimed he hadn't determined how to handle the amendment and didn't want to talk about it any more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cryptocurrency sector is currently subtly urging its supporters on Capitol Hill<\/a> to prevent the amendment from being put to a vote. Some in the business argue that more Democrats may support the swipe charge measure if it were approved by a simple majority vote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The inclusion of the credit card amendment \"puts me on the spot, doesn't it?\" asked Durbin, who is against the larger stablecoin plan. However, with 69 senators voting to advance it on Wednesday and 60 senators needing to vote to pass it, the crypto measure doesn't have much space to lose support. Because of this, the majority of the sector is cautious of frightening off Republican politicians like Tillis. Supporters are optimistic that French Hill, R-Ark., the Financial Services Chair, would pass the bill unaltered in the House.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hill has been a strong opponent of Marshall and Durbin's bill and doesn't appear to be going anywhere: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"This is not one where I would be inclined to change my long-stated view,\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
he said in a February interview with Punchbowl News. One of the proponents of the stablecoin bill, Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., told Semafor on Wednesday, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"We're trying to keep this as clean and expedient as possible.\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","post_title":"Intense lobbying erupts over potential pairing of credit card and cryptocurrency legislation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"intense-lobbying-erupts-over-potential-pairing-of-credit-card-and-cryptocurrency-legislation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7834","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":38},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\nBanks, credit unions, Visa, and Mastercard claim the law would compel businesses to reduce customer benefits, while retailers claim it would lower prices for consumers. Additionally, the proposal's detractors are putting up a fierce battle against a recent attempt to include it in the Senate's stablecoin bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"It's a terrible policy.\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
He went on to say, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"I'd go from being a co-sponsor to trying to figure out how to tank the [stablecoin] bill if the swipe fee measure got attached.\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
My coworkers won't be surprised by it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For years, the conflicting interests and their large financial stakes have kept the Republican Party so split that the swipe charge measure was never put to a roll-call vote. Vice President JD Vance signed the law when serving as a senator, but he later privately informed lobbyists that he would not attempt to promote it. This is just one example of the complicated dynamics at work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Tuesday, Marshall submitted his proposal as an amendmen<\/a>t to the stablecoin bill in the Senate. However, it's unclear if he would advocate for a floor vote. Durbin said that since the swipe charge concept had never before seen floor action, he was unsure if it would receive 60 votes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"We still haven't made a decision. Marshall said to Semafor on Wednesday, \"We're still measuring twice before we cut once.\" He claimed he hadn't determined how to handle the amendment and didn't want to talk about it any more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cryptocurrency sector is currently subtly urging its supporters on Capitol Hill<\/a> to prevent the amendment from being put to a vote. Some in the business argue that more Democrats may support the swipe charge measure if it were approved by a simple majority vote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The inclusion of the credit card amendment \"puts me on the spot, doesn't it?\" asked Durbin, who is against the larger stablecoin plan. However, with 69 senators voting to advance it on Wednesday and 60 senators needing to vote to pass it, the crypto measure doesn't have much space to lose support. Because of this, the majority of the sector is cautious of frightening off Republican politicians like Tillis. Supporters are optimistic that French Hill, R-Ark., the Financial Services Chair, would pass the bill unaltered in the House.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hill has been a strong opponent of Marshall and Durbin's bill and doesn't appear to be going anywhere: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"This is not one where I would be inclined to change my long-stated view,\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
he said in a February interview with Punchbowl News. One of the proponents of the stablecoin bill, Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., told Semafor on Wednesday, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"We're trying to keep this as clean and expedient as possible.\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","post_title":"Intense lobbying erupts over potential pairing of credit card and cryptocurrency legislation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"intense-lobbying-erupts-over-potential-pairing-of-credit-card-and-cryptocurrency-legislation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7834","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":38},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\nCryptocurrency companies had to make two attempts to persuade the Senate to approve a scheme they had long been pursuing to regulate stablecoins, which are digital assets that are based on currencies like the dollar. It has come to light that now, the entire plan might be derailed by a contentious policy dispute over credit cards. Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) have long been at odds over legislation that would increase competition and target credit card swipe fees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banks, credit unions, Visa, and Mastercard claim the law would compel businesses to reduce customer benefits, while retailers claim it would lower prices for consumers. Additionally, the proposal's detractors are putting up a fierce battle against a recent attempt to include it in the Senate's stablecoin bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"It's a terrible policy.\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
He went on to say, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"I'd go from being a co-sponsor to trying to figure out how to tank the [stablecoin] bill if the swipe fee measure got attached.\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
My coworkers won't be surprised by it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For years, the conflicting interests and their large financial stakes have kept the Republican Party so split that the swipe charge measure was never put to a roll-call vote. Vice President JD Vance signed the law when serving as a senator, but he later privately informed lobbyists that he would not attempt to promote it. This is just one example of the complicated dynamics at work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Tuesday, Marshall submitted his proposal as an amendmen<\/a>t to the stablecoin bill in the Senate. However, it's unclear if he would advocate for a floor vote. Durbin said that since the swipe charge concept had never before seen floor action, he was unsure if it would receive 60 votes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"We still haven't made a decision. Marshall said to Semafor on Wednesday, \"We're still measuring twice before we cut once.\" He claimed he hadn't determined how to handle the amendment and didn't want to talk about it any more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cryptocurrency sector is currently subtly urging its supporters on Capitol Hill<\/a> to prevent the amendment from being put to a vote. Some in the business argue that more Democrats may support the swipe charge measure if it were approved by a simple majority vote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The inclusion of the credit card amendment \"puts me on the spot, doesn't it?\" asked Durbin, who is against the larger stablecoin plan. However, with 69 senators voting to advance it on Wednesday and 60 senators needing to vote to pass it, the crypto measure doesn't have much space to lose support. Because of this, the majority of the sector is cautious of frightening off Republican politicians like Tillis. Supporters are optimistic that French Hill, R-Ark., the Financial Services Chair, would pass the bill unaltered in the House.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hill has been a strong opponent of Marshall and Durbin's bill and doesn't appear to be going anywhere: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"This is not one where I would be inclined to change my long-stated view,\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
he said in a February interview with Punchbowl News. One of the proponents of the stablecoin bill, Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., told Semafor on Wednesday, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"We're trying to keep this as clean and expedient as possible.\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","post_title":"Intense lobbying erupts over potential pairing of credit card and cryptocurrency legislation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"intense-lobbying-erupts-over-potential-pairing-of-credit-card-and-cryptocurrency-legislation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7834","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":38},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\nSimilar to Neale Creek, Venable likewise contributes a sizable sum to the congressional representatives whose offices they subsequently influence. Campaign finance documents reveal that since 2020, the firm's PAC has contributed tens of thousands of dollars to entities associated with congressional leadership from both parties.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Donations from Qatari lobbyists raise ethical concerns on Capitol Hill","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"donations-from-qatari-lobbyists-raise-ethical-concerns-on-capitol-hill","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-26 14:55:12","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-26 14:55:12","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7842","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7834,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-24 13:40:18","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-24 13:40:18","post_content":"\n
Cryptocurrency companies had to make two attempts to persuade the Senate to approve a scheme they had long been pursuing to regulate stablecoins, which are digital assets that are based on currencies like the dollar. It has come to light that now, the entire plan might be derailed by a contentious policy dispute over credit cards. Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) have long been at odds over legislation that would increase competition and target credit card swipe fees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banks, credit unions, Visa, and Mastercard claim the law would compel businesses to reduce customer benefits, while retailers claim it would lower prices for consumers. Additionally, the proposal's detractors are putting up a fierce battle against a recent attempt to include it in the Senate's stablecoin bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"It's a terrible policy.\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
He went on to say, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"I'd go from being a co-sponsor to trying to figure out how to tank the [stablecoin] bill if the swipe fee measure got attached.\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
My coworkers won't be surprised by it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For years, the conflicting interests and their large financial stakes have kept the Republican Party so split that the swipe charge measure was never put to a roll-call vote. Vice President JD Vance signed the law when serving as a senator, but he later privately informed lobbyists that he would not attempt to promote it. This is just one example of the complicated dynamics at work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Tuesday, Marshall submitted his proposal as an amendmen<\/a>t to the stablecoin bill in the Senate. However, it's unclear if he would advocate for a floor vote. Durbin said that since the swipe charge concept had never before seen floor action, he was unsure if it would receive 60 votes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"We still haven't made a decision. Marshall said to Semafor on Wednesday, \"We're still measuring twice before we cut once.\" He claimed he hadn't determined how to handle the amendment and didn't want to talk about it any more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cryptocurrency sector is currently subtly urging its supporters on Capitol Hill<\/a> to prevent the amendment from being put to a vote. Some in the business argue that more Democrats may support the swipe charge measure if it were approved by a simple majority vote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The inclusion of the credit card amendment \"puts me on the spot, doesn't it?\" asked Durbin, who is against the larger stablecoin plan. However, with 69 senators voting to advance it on Wednesday and 60 senators needing to vote to pass it, the crypto measure doesn't have much space to lose support. Because of this, the majority of the sector is cautious of frightening off Republican politicians like Tillis. Supporters are optimistic that French Hill, R-Ark., the Financial Services Chair, would pass the bill unaltered in the House.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hill has been a strong opponent of Marshall and Durbin's bill and doesn't appear to be going anywhere: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"This is not one where I would be inclined to change my long-stated view,\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
he said in a February interview with Punchbowl News. One of the proponents of the stablecoin bill, Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., told Semafor on Wednesday, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"We're trying to keep this as clean and expedient as possible.\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","post_title":"Intense lobbying erupts over potential pairing of credit card and cryptocurrency legislation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"intense-lobbying-erupts-over-potential-pairing-of-credit-card-and-cryptocurrency-legislation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7834","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":38},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\nFor example, one of these documents presented to policymakers notes that Qatar is \u201ca founding member of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIS,\u201d but it fails to mention that the founder of Al Qaeda, the forerunner of ISIS, found refuge in Iraq thanks to a member of Qatar\u2019s royal family. Additionally, the Qatari monarch offered Qatari passports and $1 million in assistance to Iraqi Al Qaeda militants. Another important source of funding for Hamas has been Qatar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Similar to Neale Creek, Venable likewise contributes a sizable sum to the congressional representatives whose offices they subsequently influence. Campaign finance documents reveal that since 2020, the firm's PAC has contributed tens of thousands of dollars to entities associated with congressional leadership from both parties.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Donations from Qatari lobbyists raise ethical concerns on Capitol Hill","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"donations-from-qatari-lobbyists-raise-ethical-concerns-on-capitol-hill","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-26 14:55:12","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-26 14:55:12","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7842","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7834,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-24 13:40:18","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-24 13:40:18","post_content":"\n
Cryptocurrency companies had to make two attempts to persuade the Senate to approve a scheme they had long been pursuing to regulate stablecoins, which are digital assets that are based on currencies like the dollar. It has come to light that now, the entire plan might be derailed by a contentious policy dispute over credit cards. Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) have long been at odds over legislation that would increase competition and target credit card swipe fees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banks, credit unions, Visa, and Mastercard claim the law would compel businesses to reduce customer benefits, while retailers claim it would lower prices for consumers. Additionally, the proposal's detractors are putting up a fierce battle against a recent attempt to include it in the Senate's stablecoin bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"It's a terrible policy.\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
He went on to say, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"I'd go from being a co-sponsor to trying to figure out how to tank the [stablecoin] bill if the swipe fee measure got attached.\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
My coworkers won't be surprised by it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For years, the conflicting interests and their large financial stakes have kept the Republican Party so split that the swipe charge measure was never put to a roll-call vote. Vice President JD Vance signed the law when serving as a senator, but he later privately informed lobbyists that he would not attempt to promote it. This is just one example of the complicated dynamics at work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Tuesday, Marshall submitted his proposal as an amendmen<\/a>t to the stablecoin bill in the Senate. However, it's unclear if he would advocate for a floor vote. Durbin said that since the swipe charge concept had never before seen floor action, he was unsure if it would receive 60 votes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"We still haven't made a decision. Marshall said to Semafor on Wednesday, \"We're still measuring twice before we cut once.\" He claimed he hadn't determined how to handle the amendment and didn't want to talk about it any more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cryptocurrency sector is currently subtly urging its supporters on Capitol Hill<\/a> to prevent the amendment from being put to a vote. Some in the business argue that more Democrats may support the swipe charge measure if it were approved by a simple majority vote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The inclusion of the credit card amendment \"puts me on the spot, doesn't it?\" asked Durbin, who is against the larger stablecoin plan. However, with 69 senators voting to advance it on Wednesday and 60 senators needing to vote to pass it, the crypto measure doesn't have much space to lose support. Because of this, the majority of the sector is cautious of frightening off Republican politicians like Tillis. Supporters are optimistic that French Hill, R-Ark., the Financial Services Chair, would pass the bill unaltered in the House.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hill has been a strong opponent of Marshall and Durbin's bill and doesn't appear to be going anywhere: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"This is not one where I would be inclined to change my long-stated view,\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
he said in a February interview with Punchbowl News. One of the proponents of the stablecoin bill, Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., told Semafor on Wednesday, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"We're trying to keep this as clean and expedient as possible.\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","post_title":"Intense lobbying erupts over potential pairing of credit card and cryptocurrency legislation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"intense-lobbying-erupts-over-potential-pairing-of-credit-card-and-cryptocurrency-legislation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7834","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":38},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\nFor example, documents disseminated by Qatari foreign agents employed by Venable minimize the Gulf state's ties to terrorist groups while highlighting what Qatar considers to be the benefits of investments made by its sovereign wealth fund.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, one of these documents presented to policymakers notes that Qatar is \u201ca founding member of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIS,\u201d but it fails to mention that the founder of Al Qaeda, the forerunner of ISIS, found refuge in Iraq thanks to a member of Qatar\u2019s royal family. Additionally, the Qatari monarch offered Qatari passports and $1 million in assistance to Iraqi Al Qaeda militants. Another important source of funding for Hamas has been Qatar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Similar to Neale Creek, Venable likewise contributes a sizable sum to the congressional representatives whose offices they subsequently influence. Campaign finance documents reveal that since 2020, the firm's PAC has contributed tens of thousands of dollars to entities associated with congressional leadership from both parties.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Donations from Qatari lobbyists raise ethical concerns on Capitol Hill","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"donations-from-qatari-lobbyists-raise-ethical-concerns-on-capitol-hill","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-26 14:55:12","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-26 14:55:12","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7842","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7834,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-24 13:40:18","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-24 13:40:18","post_content":"\n
Cryptocurrency companies had to make two attempts to persuade the Senate to approve a scheme they had long been pursuing to regulate stablecoins, which are digital assets that are based on currencies like the dollar. It has come to light that now, the entire plan might be derailed by a contentious policy dispute over credit cards. Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) have long been at odds over legislation that would increase competition and target credit card swipe fees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banks, credit unions, Visa, and Mastercard claim the law would compel businesses to reduce customer benefits, while retailers claim it would lower prices for consumers. Additionally, the proposal's detractors are putting up a fierce battle against a recent attempt to include it in the Senate's stablecoin bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"It's a terrible policy.\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
He went on to say, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"I'd go from being a co-sponsor to trying to figure out how to tank the [stablecoin] bill if the swipe fee measure got attached.\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
My coworkers won't be surprised by it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For years, the conflicting interests and their large financial stakes have kept the Republican Party so split that the swipe charge measure was never put to a roll-call vote. Vice President JD Vance signed the law when serving as a senator, but he later privately informed lobbyists that he would not attempt to promote it. This is just one example of the complicated dynamics at work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Tuesday, Marshall submitted his proposal as an amendmen<\/a>t to the stablecoin bill in the Senate. However, it's unclear if he would advocate for a floor vote. Durbin said that since the swipe charge concept had never before seen floor action, he was unsure if it would receive 60 votes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"We still haven't made a decision. Marshall said to Semafor on Wednesday, \"We're still measuring twice before we cut once.\" He claimed he hadn't determined how to handle the amendment and didn't want to talk about it any more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cryptocurrency sector is currently subtly urging its supporters on Capitol Hill<\/a> to prevent the amendment from being put to a vote. Some in the business argue that more Democrats may support the swipe charge measure if it were approved by a simple majority vote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The inclusion of the credit card amendment \"puts me on the spot, doesn't it?\" asked Durbin, who is against the larger stablecoin plan. However, with 69 senators voting to advance it on Wednesday and 60 senators needing to vote to pass it, the crypto measure doesn't have much space to lose support. Because of this, the majority of the sector is cautious of frightening off Republican politicians like Tillis. Supporters are optimistic that French Hill, R-Ark., the Financial Services Chair, would pass the bill unaltered in the House.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hill has been a strong opponent of Marshall and Durbin's bill and doesn't appear to be going anywhere: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"This is not one where I would be inclined to change my long-stated view,\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
he said in a February interview with Punchbowl News. One of the proponents of the stablecoin bill, Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., told Semafor on Wednesday, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"We're trying to keep this as clean and expedient as possible.\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","post_title":"Intense lobbying erupts over potential pairing of credit card and cryptocurrency legislation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"intense-lobbying-erupts-over-potential-pairing-of-credit-card-and-cryptocurrency-legislation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7834","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":38},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\nCommunications from other companies representing Qatar provide some information, even if it may not be quite apparent what Neale Creek and King are saying to Congressmen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, documents disseminated by Qatari foreign agents employed by Venable minimize the Gulf state's ties to terrorist groups while highlighting what Qatar considers to be the benefits of investments made by its sovereign wealth fund.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, one of these documents presented to policymakers notes that Qatar is \u201ca founding member of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIS,\u201d but it fails to mention that the founder of Al Qaeda, the forerunner of ISIS, found refuge in Iraq thanks to a member of Qatar\u2019s royal family. Additionally, the Qatari monarch offered Qatari passports and $1 million in assistance to Iraqi Al Qaeda militants. Another important source of funding for Hamas has been Qatar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Similar to Neale Creek, Venable likewise contributes a sizable sum to the congressional representatives whose offices they subsequently influence. Campaign finance documents reveal that since 2020, the firm's PAC has contributed tens of thousands of dollars to entities associated with congressional leadership from both parties.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Donations from Qatari lobbyists raise ethical concerns on Capitol Hill","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"donations-from-qatari-lobbyists-raise-ethical-concerns-on-capitol-hill","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-26 14:55:12","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-26 14:55:12","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7842","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7834,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-24 13:40:18","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-24 13:40:18","post_content":"\n
Cryptocurrency companies had to make two attempts to persuade the Senate to approve a scheme they had long been pursuing to regulate stablecoins, which are digital assets that are based on currencies like the dollar. It has come to light that now, the entire plan might be derailed by a contentious policy dispute over credit cards. Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) have long been at odds over legislation that would increase competition and target credit card swipe fees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banks, credit unions, Visa, and Mastercard claim the law would compel businesses to reduce customer benefits, while retailers claim it would lower prices for consumers. Additionally, the proposal's detractors are putting up a fierce battle against a recent attempt to include it in the Senate's stablecoin bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"It's a terrible policy.\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
He went on to say, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"I'd go from being a co-sponsor to trying to figure out how to tank the [stablecoin] bill if the swipe fee measure got attached.\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
My coworkers won't be surprised by it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For years, the conflicting interests and their large financial stakes have kept the Republican Party so split that the swipe charge measure was never put to a roll-call vote. Vice President JD Vance signed the law when serving as a senator, but he later privately informed lobbyists that he would not attempt to promote it. This is just one example of the complicated dynamics at work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Tuesday, Marshall submitted his proposal as an amendmen<\/a>t to the stablecoin bill in the Senate. However, it's unclear if he would advocate for a floor vote. Durbin said that since the swipe charge concept had never before seen floor action, he was unsure if it would receive 60 votes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"We still haven't made a decision. Marshall said to Semafor on Wednesday, \"We're still measuring twice before we cut once.\" He claimed he hadn't determined how to handle the amendment and didn't want to talk about it any more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cryptocurrency sector is currently subtly urging its supporters on Capitol Hill<\/a> to prevent the amendment from being put to a vote. Some in the business argue that more Democrats may support the swipe charge measure if it were approved by a simple majority vote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The inclusion of the credit card amendment \"puts me on the spot, doesn't it?\" asked Durbin, who is against the larger stablecoin plan. However, with 69 senators voting to advance it on Wednesday and 60 senators needing to vote to pass it, the crypto measure doesn't have much space to lose support. Because of this, the majority of the sector is cautious of frightening off Republican politicians like Tillis. Supporters are optimistic that French Hill, R-Ark., the Financial Services Chair, would pass the bill unaltered in the House.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hill has been a strong opponent of Marshall and Durbin's bill and doesn't appear to be going anywhere: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"This is not one where I would be inclined to change my long-stated view,\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
he said in a February interview with Punchbowl News. One of the proponents of the stablecoin bill, Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., told Semafor on Wednesday, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"We're trying to keep this as clean and expedient as possible.\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","post_title":"Intense lobbying erupts over potential pairing of credit card and cryptocurrency legislation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"intense-lobbying-erupts-over-potential-pairing-of-credit-card-and-cryptocurrency-legislation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7834","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":38},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\nThe impact of Neale Creek goes beyond Graham's workplace. The company has met with congressional sources in person, over the phone, over email, and through text messages, and has contributed close to $180,000 to members of Congress and related PACs since 2020. With almost $225,000 in donations made since 2020, Qatari foreign agents employed by Rubin Turnbull & Associates jointly made the largest contributions to political groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Communications from other companies representing Qatar provide some information, even if it may not be quite apparent what Neale Creek and King are saying to Congressmen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, documents disseminated by Qatari foreign agents employed by Venable minimize the Gulf state's ties to terrorist groups while highlighting what Qatar considers to be the benefits of investments made by its sovereign wealth fund.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, one of these documents presented to policymakers notes that Qatar is \u201ca founding member of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIS,\u201d but it fails to mention that the founder of Al Qaeda, the forerunner of ISIS, found refuge in Iraq thanks to a member of Qatar\u2019s royal family. Additionally, the Qatari monarch offered Qatari passports and $1 million in assistance to Iraqi Al Qaeda militants. Another important source of funding for Hamas has been Qatar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Similar to Neale Creek, Venable likewise contributes a sizable sum to the congressional representatives whose offices they subsequently influence. Campaign finance documents reveal that since 2020, the firm's PAC has contributed tens of thousands of dollars to entities associated with congressional leadership from both parties.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Donations from Qatari lobbyists raise ethical concerns on Capitol Hill","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"donations-from-qatari-lobbyists-raise-ethical-concerns-on-capitol-hill","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-26 14:55:12","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-26 14:55:12","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7842","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7834,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-24 13:40:18","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-24 13:40:18","post_content":"\n
Cryptocurrency companies had to make two attempts to persuade the Senate to approve a scheme they had long been pursuing to regulate stablecoins, which are digital assets that are based on currencies like the dollar. It has come to light that now, the entire plan might be derailed by a contentious policy dispute over credit cards. Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) have long been at odds over legislation that would increase competition and target credit card swipe fees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banks, credit unions, Visa, and Mastercard claim the law would compel businesses to reduce customer benefits, while retailers claim it would lower prices for consumers. Additionally, the proposal's detractors are putting up a fierce battle against a recent attempt to include it in the Senate's stablecoin bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"It's a terrible policy.\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
He went on to say, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"I'd go from being a co-sponsor to trying to figure out how to tank the [stablecoin] bill if the swipe fee measure got attached.\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
My coworkers won't be surprised by it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For years, the conflicting interests and their large financial stakes have kept the Republican Party so split that the swipe charge measure was never put to a roll-call vote. Vice President JD Vance signed the law when serving as a senator, but he later privately informed lobbyists that he would not attempt to promote it. This is just one example of the complicated dynamics at work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Tuesday, Marshall submitted his proposal as an amendmen<\/a>t to the stablecoin bill in the Senate. However, it's unclear if he would advocate for a floor vote. Durbin said that since the swipe charge concept had never before seen floor action, he was unsure if it would receive 60 votes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"We still haven't made a decision. Marshall said to Semafor on Wednesday, \"We're still measuring twice before we cut once.\" He claimed he hadn't determined how to handle the amendment and didn't want to talk about it any more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cryptocurrency sector is currently subtly urging its supporters on Capitol Hill<\/a> to prevent the amendment from being put to a vote. Some in the business argue that more Democrats may support the swipe charge measure if it were approved by a simple majority vote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The inclusion of the credit card amendment \"puts me on the spot, doesn't it?\" asked Durbin, who is against the larger stablecoin plan. However, with 69 senators voting to advance it on Wednesday and 60 senators needing to vote to pass it, the crypto measure doesn't have much space to lose support. Because of this, the majority of the sector is cautious of frightening off Republican politicians like Tillis. Supporters are optimistic that French Hill, R-Ark., the Financial Services Chair, would pass the bill unaltered in the House.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hill has been a strong opponent of Marshall and Durbin's bill and doesn't appear to be going anywhere: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"This is not one where I would be inclined to change my long-stated view,\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
he said in a February interview with Punchbowl News. One of the proponents of the stablecoin bill, Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., told Semafor on Wednesday, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"We're trying to keep this as clean and expedient as possible.\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","post_title":"Intense lobbying erupts over potential pairing of credit card and cryptocurrency legislation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"intense-lobbying-erupts-over-potential-pairing-of-credit-card-and-cryptocurrency-legislation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7834","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":38},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\nAccording to materials submitted to the Department of Justice, King and Neale Creek engaged in \"the promotion of business with the State of Qatar\" by using the access that congressional offices provided them. Graham's native state of South Carolina has significant investments from Qatar. However, the DOJ's Foreign Agents Registration Act database does not contain the particular papers that were exchanged between Neale Creek and congressional representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The impact of Neale Creek goes beyond Graham's workplace. The company has met with congressional sources in person, over the phone, over email, and through text messages, and has contributed close to $180,000 to members of Congress and related PACs since 2020. With almost $225,000 in donations made since 2020, Qatari foreign agents employed by Rubin Turnbull & Associates jointly made the largest contributions to political groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Communications from other companies representing Qatar provide some information, even if it may not be quite apparent what Neale Creek and King are saying to Congressmen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, documents disseminated by Qatari foreign agents employed by Venable minimize the Gulf state's ties to terrorist groups while highlighting what Qatar considers to be the benefits of investments made by its sovereign wealth fund.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, one of these documents presented to policymakers notes that Qatar is \u201ca founding member of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIS,\u201d but it fails to mention that the founder of Al Qaeda, the forerunner of ISIS, found refuge in Iraq thanks to a member of Qatar\u2019s royal family. Additionally, the Qatari monarch offered Qatari passports and $1 million in assistance to Iraqi Al Qaeda militants. Another important source of funding for Hamas has been Qatar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Similar to Neale Creek, Venable likewise contributes a sizable sum to the congressional representatives whose offices they subsequently influence. Campaign finance documents reveal that since 2020, the firm's PAC has contributed tens of thousands of dollars to entities associated with congressional leadership from both parties.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Donations from Qatari lobbyists raise ethical concerns on Capitol Hill","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"donations-from-qatari-lobbyists-raise-ethical-concerns-on-capitol-hill","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-26 14:55:12","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-26 14:55:12","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7842","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7834,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-24 13:40:18","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-24 13:40:18","post_content":"\n
Cryptocurrency companies had to make two attempts to persuade the Senate to approve a scheme they had long been pursuing to regulate stablecoins, which are digital assets that are based on currencies like the dollar. It has come to light that now, the entire plan might be derailed by a contentious policy dispute over credit cards. Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) have long been at odds over legislation that would increase competition and target credit card swipe fees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banks, credit unions, Visa, and Mastercard claim the law would compel businesses to reduce customer benefits, while retailers claim it would lower prices for consumers. Additionally, the proposal's detractors are putting up a fierce battle against a recent attempt to include it in the Senate's stablecoin bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"It's a terrible policy.\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
He went on to say, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"I'd go from being a co-sponsor to trying to figure out how to tank the [stablecoin] bill if the swipe fee measure got attached.\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
My coworkers won't be surprised by it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For years, the conflicting interests and their large financial stakes have kept the Republican Party so split that the swipe charge measure was never put to a roll-call vote. Vice President JD Vance signed the law when serving as a senator, but he later privately informed lobbyists that he would not attempt to promote it. This is just one example of the complicated dynamics at work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Tuesday, Marshall submitted his proposal as an amendmen<\/a>t to the stablecoin bill in the Senate. However, it's unclear if he would advocate for a floor vote. Durbin said that since the swipe charge concept had never before seen floor action, he was unsure if it would receive 60 votes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"We still haven't made a decision. Marshall said to Semafor on Wednesday, \"We're still measuring twice before we cut once.\" He claimed he hadn't determined how to handle the amendment and didn't want to talk about it any more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cryptocurrency sector is currently subtly urging its supporters on Capitol Hill<\/a> to prevent the amendment from being put to a vote. Some in the business argue that more Democrats may support the swipe charge measure if it were approved by a simple majority vote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The inclusion of the credit card amendment \"puts me on the spot, doesn't it?\" asked Durbin, who is against the larger stablecoin plan. However, with 69 senators voting to advance it on Wednesday and 60 senators needing to vote to pass it, the crypto measure doesn't have much space to lose support. Because of this, the majority of the sector is cautious of frightening off Republican politicians like Tillis. Supporters are optimistic that French Hill, R-Ark., the Financial Services Chair, would pass the bill unaltered in the House.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hill has been a strong opponent of Marshall and Durbin's bill and doesn't appear to be going anywhere: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"This is not one where I would be inclined to change my long-stated view,\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
he said in a February interview with Punchbowl News. One of the proponents of the stablecoin bill, Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., told Semafor on Wednesday, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"We're trying to keep this as clean and expedient as possible.\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","post_title":"Intense lobbying erupts over potential pairing of credit card and cryptocurrency legislation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"intense-lobbying-erupts-over-potential-pairing-of-credit-card-and-cryptocurrency-legislation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7834","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":38},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\nAndrew King, a Qatari foreign agent who made large donations to Graham's political action organizations, has more than just financial connections to the senator from South Carolina. King spent almost 20 years as a senior worker in Graham's office, where he oversaw the office's Middle Eastern affairs among other things, before starting Neale Creek, his government relations and political consulting business. In addition to his own political donations, King is the treasurer and co-founder of 150 PAC, which has given thousands of dollars to Graham and other members of Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to materials submitted to the Department of Justice, King and Neale Creek engaged in \"the promotion of business with the State of Qatar\" by using the access that congressional offices provided them. Graham's native state of South Carolina has significant investments from Qatar. However, the DOJ's Foreign Agents Registration Act database does not contain the particular papers that were exchanged between Neale Creek and congressional representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The impact of Neale Creek goes beyond Graham's workplace. The company has met with congressional sources in person, over the phone, over email, and through text messages, and has contributed close to $180,000 to members of Congress and related PACs since 2020. With almost $225,000 in donations made since 2020, Qatari foreign agents employed by Rubin Turnbull & Associates jointly made the largest contributions to political groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Communications from other companies representing Qatar provide some information, even if it may not be quite apparent what Neale Creek and King are saying to Congressmen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, documents disseminated by Qatari foreign agents employed by Venable minimize the Gulf state's ties to terrorist groups while highlighting what Qatar considers to be the benefits of investments made by its sovereign wealth fund.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, one of these documents presented to policymakers notes that Qatar is \u201ca founding member of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIS,\u201d but it fails to mention that the founder of Al Qaeda, the forerunner of ISIS, found refuge in Iraq thanks to a member of Qatar\u2019s royal family. Additionally, the Qatari monarch offered Qatari passports and $1 million in assistance to Iraqi Al Qaeda militants. Another important source of funding for Hamas has been Qatar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Similar to Neale Creek, Venable likewise contributes a sizable sum to the congressional representatives whose offices they subsequently influence. Campaign finance documents reveal that since 2020, the firm's PAC has contributed tens of thousands of dollars to entities associated with congressional leadership from both parties.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Donations from Qatari lobbyists raise ethical concerns on Capitol Hill","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"donations-from-qatari-lobbyists-raise-ethical-concerns-on-capitol-hill","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-26 14:55:12","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-26 14:55:12","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7842","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7834,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-24 13:40:18","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-24 13:40:18","post_content":"\n
Cryptocurrency companies had to make two attempts to persuade the Senate to approve a scheme they had long been pursuing to regulate stablecoins, which are digital assets that are based on currencies like the dollar. It has come to light that now, the entire plan might be derailed by a contentious policy dispute over credit cards. Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) have long been at odds over legislation that would increase competition and target credit card swipe fees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banks, credit unions, Visa, and Mastercard claim the law would compel businesses to reduce customer benefits, while retailers claim it would lower prices for consumers. Additionally, the proposal's detractors are putting up a fierce battle against a recent attempt to include it in the Senate's stablecoin bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"It's a terrible policy.\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
He went on to say, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"I'd go from being a co-sponsor to trying to figure out how to tank the [stablecoin] bill if the swipe fee measure got attached.\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
My coworkers won't be surprised by it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For years, the conflicting interests and their large financial stakes have kept the Republican Party so split that the swipe charge measure was never put to a roll-call vote. Vice President JD Vance signed the law when serving as a senator, but he later privately informed lobbyists that he would not attempt to promote it. This is just one example of the complicated dynamics at work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Tuesday, Marshall submitted his proposal as an amendmen<\/a>t to the stablecoin bill in the Senate. However, it's unclear if he would advocate for a floor vote. Durbin said that since the swipe charge concept had never before seen floor action, he was unsure if it would receive 60 votes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"We still haven't made a decision. Marshall said to Semafor on Wednesday, \"We're still measuring twice before we cut once.\" He claimed he hadn't determined how to handle the amendment and didn't want to talk about it any more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cryptocurrency sector is currently subtly urging its supporters on Capitol Hill<\/a> to prevent the amendment from being put to a vote. Some in the business argue that more Democrats may support the swipe charge measure if it were approved by a simple majority vote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The inclusion of the credit card amendment \"puts me on the spot, doesn't it?\" asked Durbin, who is against the larger stablecoin plan. However, with 69 senators voting to advance it on Wednesday and 60 senators needing to vote to pass it, the crypto measure doesn't have much space to lose support. Because of this, the majority of the sector is cautious of frightening off Republican politicians like Tillis. Supporters are optimistic that French Hill, R-Ark., the Financial Services Chair, would pass the bill unaltered in the House.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hill has been a strong opponent of Marshall and Durbin's bill and doesn't appear to be going anywhere: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"This is not one where I would be inclined to change my long-stated view,\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
he said in a February interview with Punchbowl News. One of the proponents of the stablecoin bill, Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., told Semafor on Wednesday, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"We're trying to keep this as clean and expedient as possible.\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","post_title":"Intense lobbying erupts over potential pairing of credit card and cryptocurrency legislation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"intense-lobbying-erupts-over-potential-pairing-of-credit-card-and-cryptocurrency-legislation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7834","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":38},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\nAccording to a 2018 scholarly study, when problems that are important to lobbyists are at the center of the political process, they boost their donations to certain committees and MPs. These lobbying payments may be driven by a desire to influence policy, as evidenced by another 2015 study that found that giving to a member of Congress improves access to their office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Andrew King, a Qatari foreign agent who made large donations to Graham's political action organizations, has more than just financial connections to the senator from South Carolina. King spent almost 20 years as a senior worker in Graham's office, where he oversaw the office's Middle Eastern affairs among other things, before starting Neale Creek, his government relations and political consulting business. In addition to his own political donations, King is the treasurer and co-founder of 150 PAC, which has given thousands of dollars to Graham and other members of Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to materials submitted to the Department of Justice, King and Neale Creek engaged in \"the promotion of business with the State of Qatar\" by using the access that congressional offices provided them. Graham's native state of South Carolina has significant investments from Qatar. However, the DOJ's Foreign Agents Registration Act database does not contain the particular papers that were exchanged between Neale Creek and congressional representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The impact of Neale Creek goes beyond Graham's workplace. The company has met with congressional sources in person, over the phone, over email, and through text messages, and has contributed close to $180,000 to members of Congress and related PACs since 2020. With almost $225,000 in donations made since 2020, Qatari foreign agents employed by Rubin Turnbull & Associates jointly made the largest contributions to political groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Communications from other companies representing Qatar provide some information, even if it may not be quite apparent what Neale Creek and King are saying to Congressmen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, documents disseminated by Qatari foreign agents employed by Venable minimize the Gulf state's ties to terrorist groups while highlighting what Qatar considers to be the benefits of investments made by its sovereign wealth fund.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, one of these documents presented to policymakers notes that Qatar is \u201ca founding member of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIS,\u201d but it fails to mention that the founder of Al Qaeda, the forerunner of ISIS, found refuge in Iraq thanks to a member of Qatar\u2019s royal family. Additionally, the Qatari monarch offered Qatari passports and $1 million in assistance to Iraqi Al Qaeda militants. Another important source of funding for Hamas has been Qatar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Similar to Neale Creek, Venable likewise contributes a sizable sum to the congressional representatives whose offices they subsequently influence. Campaign finance documents reveal that since 2020, the firm's PAC has contributed tens of thousands of dollars to entities associated with congressional leadership from both parties.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Donations from Qatari lobbyists raise ethical concerns on Capitol Hill","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"donations-from-qatari-lobbyists-raise-ethical-concerns-on-capitol-hill","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-26 14:55:12","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-26 14:55:12","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7842","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7834,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-24 13:40:18","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-24 13:40:18","post_content":"\n
Cryptocurrency companies had to make two attempts to persuade the Senate to approve a scheme they had long been pursuing to regulate stablecoins, which are digital assets that are based on currencies like the dollar. It has come to light that now, the entire plan might be derailed by a contentious policy dispute over credit cards. Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) have long been at odds over legislation that would increase competition and target credit card swipe fees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banks, credit unions, Visa, and Mastercard claim the law would compel businesses to reduce customer benefits, while retailers claim it would lower prices for consumers. Additionally, the proposal's detractors are putting up a fierce battle against a recent attempt to include it in the Senate's stablecoin bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"It's a terrible policy.\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
He went on to say, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"I'd go from being a co-sponsor to trying to figure out how to tank the [stablecoin] bill if the swipe fee measure got attached.\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
My coworkers won't be surprised by it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For years, the conflicting interests and their large financial stakes have kept the Republican Party so split that the swipe charge measure was never put to a roll-call vote. Vice President JD Vance signed the law when serving as a senator, but he later privately informed lobbyists that he would not attempt to promote it. This is just one example of the complicated dynamics at work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Tuesday, Marshall submitted his proposal as an amendmen<\/a>t to the stablecoin bill in the Senate. However, it's unclear if he would advocate for a floor vote. Durbin said that since the swipe charge concept had never before seen floor action, he was unsure if it would receive 60 votes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"We still haven't made a decision. Marshall said to Semafor on Wednesday, \"We're still measuring twice before we cut once.\" He claimed he hadn't determined how to handle the amendment and didn't want to talk about it any more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cryptocurrency sector is currently subtly urging its supporters on Capitol Hill<\/a> to prevent the amendment from being put to a vote. Some in the business argue that more Democrats may support the swipe charge measure if it were approved by a simple majority vote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The inclusion of the credit card amendment \"puts me on the spot, doesn't it?\" asked Durbin, who is against the larger stablecoin plan. However, with 69 senators voting to advance it on Wednesday and 60 senators needing to vote to pass it, the crypto measure doesn't have much space to lose support. Because of this, the majority of the sector is cautious of frightening off Republican politicians like Tillis. Supporters are optimistic that French Hill, R-Ark., the Financial Services Chair, would pass the bill unaltered in the House.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hill has been a strong opponent of Marshall and Durbin's bill and doesn't appear to be going anywhere: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"This is not one where I would be inclined to change my long-stated view,\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
he said in a February interview with Punchbowl News. One of the proponents of the stablecoin bill, Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., told Semafor on Wednesday, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"We're trying to keep this as clean and expedient as possible.\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","post_title":"Intense lobbying erupts over potential pairing of credit card and cryptocurrency legislation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"intense-lobbying-erupts-over-potential-pairing-of-credit-card-and-cryptocurrency-legislation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7834","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":38},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\nIn recent years, this dynamic has been well demonstrated. According to a Washington Examiner analysis of hundreds of public records, Qatar's active foreign agents have given close to $700,000 to Congressmen and other government officials since 2020 while also having open channels of communication and face time with powerful lawmakers, frequently the same individuals they send checks to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to a 2018 scholarly study, when problems that are important to lobbyists are at the center of the political process, they boost their donations to certain committees and MPs. These lobbying payments may be driven by a desire to influence policy, as evidenced by another 2015 study that found that giving to a member of Congress improves access to their office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Andrew King, a Qatari foreign agent who made large donations to Graham's political action organizations, has more than just financial connections to the senator from South Carolina. King spent almost 20 years as a senior worker in Graham's office, where he oversaw the office's Middle Eastern affairs among other things, before starting Neale Creek, his government relations and political consulting business. In addition to his own political donations, King is the treasurer and co-founder of 150 PAC, which has given thousands of dollars to Graham and other members of Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to materials submitted to the Department of Justice, King and Neale Creek engaged in \"the promotion of business with the State of Qatar\" by using the access that congressional offices provided them. Graham's native state of South Carolina has significant investments from Qatar. However, the DOJ's Foreign Agents Registration Act database does not contain the particular papers that were exchanged between Neale Creek and congressional representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The impact of Neale Creek goes beyond Graham's workplace. The company has met with congressional sources in person, over the phone, over email, and through text messages, and has contributed close to $180,000 to members of Congress and related PACs since 2020. With almost $225,000 in donations made since 2020, Qatari foreign agents employed by Rubin Turnbull & Associates jointly made the largest contributions to political groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Communications from other companies representing Qatar provide some information, even if it may not be quite apparent what Neale Creek and King are saying to Congressmen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, documents disseminated by Qatari foreign agents employed by Venable minimize the Gulf state's ties to terrorist groups while highlighting what Qatar considers to be the benefits of investments made by its sovereign wealth fund.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, one of these documents presented to policymakers notes that Qatar is \u201ca founding member of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIS,\u201d but it fails to mention that the founder of Al Qaeda, the forerunner of ISIS, found refuge in Iraq thanks to a member of Qatar\u2019s royal family. Additionally, the Qatari monarch offered Qatari passports and $1 million in assistance to Iraqi Al Qaeda militants. Another important source of funding for Hamas has been Qatar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Similar to Neale Creek, Venable likewise contributes a sizable sum to the congressional representatives whose offices they subsequently influence. Campaign finance documents reveal that since 2020, the firm's PAC has contributed tens of thousands of dollars to entities associated with congressional leadership from both parties.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Donations from Qatari lobbyists raise ethical concerns on Capitol Hill","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"donations-from-qatari-lobbyists-raise-ethical-concerns-on-capitol-hill","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-26 14:55:12","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-26 14:55:12","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7842","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7834,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-24 13:40:18","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-24 13:40:18","post_content":"\n
Cryptocurrency companies had to make two attempts to persuade the Senate to approve a scheme they had long been pursuing to regulate stablecoins, which are digital assets that are based on currencies like the dollar. It has come to light that now, the entire plan might be derailed by a contentious policy dispute over credit cards. Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) have long been at odds over legislation that would increase competition and target credit card swipe fees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banks, credit unions, Visa, and Mastercard claim the law would compel businesses to reduce customer benefits, while retailers claim it would lower prices for consumers. Additionally, the proposal's detractors are putting up a fierce battle against a recent attempt to include it in the Senate's stablecoin bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"It's a terrible policy.\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
He went on to say, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"I'd go from being a co-sponsor to trying to figure out how to tank the [stablecoin] bill if the swipe fee measure got attached.\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
My coworkers won't be surprised by it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For years, the conflicting interests and their large financial stakes have kept the Republican Party so split that the swipe charge measure was never put to a roll-call vote. Vice President JD Vance signed the law when serving as a senator, but he later privately informed lobbyists that he would not attempt to promote it. This is just one example of the complicated dynamics at work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Tuesday, Marshall submitted his proposal as an amendmen<\/a>t to the stablecoin bill in the Senate. However, it's unclear if he would advocate for a floor vote. Durbin said that since the swipe charge concept had never before seen floor action, he was unsure if it would receive 60 votes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"We still haven't made a decision. Marshall said to Semafor on Wednesday, \"We're still measuring twice before we cut once.\" He claimed he hadn't determined how to handle the amendment and didn't want to talk about it any more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cryptocurrency sector is currently subtly urging its supporters on Capitol Hill<\/a> to prevent the amendment from being put to a vote. Some in the business argue that more Democrats may support the swipe charge measure if it were approved by a simple majority vote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The inclusion of the credit card amendment \"puts me on the spot, doesn't it?\" asked Durbin, who is against the larger stablecoin plan. However, with 69 senators voting to advance it on Wednesday and 60 senators needing to vote to pass it, the crypto measure doesn't have much space to lose support. Because of this, the majority of the sector is cautious of frightening off Republican politicians like Tillis. Supporters are optimistic that French Hill, R-Ark., the Financial Services Chair, would pass the bill unaltered in the House.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hill has been a strong opponent of Marshall and Durbin's bill and doesn't appear to be going anywhere: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"This is not one where I would be inclined to change my long-stated view,\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
he said in a February interview with Punchbowl News. One of the proponents of the stablecoin bill, Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., told Semafor on Wednesday, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"We're trying to keep this as clean and expedient as possible.\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","post_title":"Intense lobbying erupts over potential pairing of credit card and cryptocurrency legislation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"intense-lobbying-erupts-over-potential-pairing-of-credit-card-and-cryptocurrency-legislation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7834","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":38},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\nA Qatari foreign agent contributed about $30,000 to Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) campaign committees between 2020 and 2025. In order to support Qatar's interests<\/a>, Graham's office gave his lobbying business a lot of access during that time. This included more than 131 exchanges between the office and the agent, in-person meetings, and phone conversations with the senator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In recent years, this dynamic has been well demonstrated. According to a Washington Examiner analysis of hundreds of public records, Qatar's active foreign agents have given close to $700,000 to Congressmen and other government officials since 2020 while also having open channels of communication and face time with powerful lawmakers, frequently the same individuals they send checks to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to a 2018 scholarly study, when problems that are important to lobbyists are at the center of the political process, they boost their donations to certain committees and MPs. These lobbying payments may be driven by a desire to influence policy, as evidenced by another 2015 study that found that giving to a member of Congress improves access to their office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Andrew King, a Qatari foreign agent who made large donations to Graham's political action organizations, has more than just financial connections to the senator from South Carolina. King spent almost 20 years as a senior worker in Graham's office, where he oversaw the office's Middle Eastern affairs among other things, before starting Neale Creek, his government relations and political consulting business. In addition to his own political donations, King is the treasurer and co-founder of 150 PAC, which has given thousands of dollars to Graham and other members of Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to materials submitted to the Department of Justice, King and Neale Creek engaged in \"the promotion of business with the State of Qatar\" by using the access that congressional offices provided them. Graham's native state of South Carolina has significant investments from Qatar. However, the DOJ's Foreign Agents Registration Act database does not contain the particular papers that were exchanged between Neale Creek and congressional representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The impact of Neale Creek goes beyond Graham's workplace. The company has met with congressional sources in person, over the phone, over email, and through text messages, and has contributed close to $180,000 to members of Congress and related PACs since 2020. With almost $225,000 in donations made since 2020, Qatari foreign agents employed by Rubin Turnbull & Associates jointly made the largest contributions to political groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Communications from other companies representing Qatar provide some information, even if it may not be quite apparent what Neale Creek and King are saying to Congressmen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, documents disseminated by Qatari foreign agents employed by Venable minimize the Gulf state's ties to terrorist groups while highlighting what Qatar considers to be the benefits of investments made by its sovereign wealth fund.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, one of these documents presented to policymakers notes that Qatar is \u201ca founding member of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIS,\u201d but it fails to mention that the founder of Al Qaeda, the forerunner of ISIS, found refuge in Iraq thanks to a member of Qatar\u2019s royal family. Additionally, the Qatari monarch offered Qatari passports and $1 million in assistance to Iraqi Al Qaeda militants. Another important source of funding for Hamas has been Qatar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Similar to Neale Creek, Venable likewise contributes a sizable sum to the congressional representatives whose offices they subsequently influence. Campaign finance documents reveal that since 2020, the firm's PAC has contributed tens of thousands of dollars to entities associated with congressional leadership from both parties.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Donations from Qatari lobbyists raise ethical concerns on Capitol Hill","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"donations-from-qatari-lobbyists-raise-ethical-concerns-on-capitol-hill","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-26 14:55:12","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-26 14:55:12","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7842","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7834,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-24 13:40:18","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-24 13:40:18","post_content":"\n
Cryptocurrency companies had to make two attempts to persuade the Senate to approve a scheme they had long been pursuing to regulate stablecoins, which are digital assets that are based on currencies like the dollar. It has come to light that now, the entire plan might be derailed by a contentious policy dispute over credit cards. Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) have long been at odds over legislation that would increase competition and target credit card swipe fees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banks, credit unions, Visa, and Mastercard claim the law would compel businesses to reduce customer benefits, while retailers claim it would lower prices for consumers. Additionally, the proposal's detractors are putting up a fierce battle against a recent attempt to include it in the Senate's stablecoin bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"It's a terrible policy.\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
He went on to say, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"I'd go from being a co-sponsor to trying to figure out how to tank the [stablecoin] bill if the swipe fee measure got attached.\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
My coworkers won't be surprised by it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For years, the conflicting interests and their large financial stakes have kept the Republican Party so split that the swipe charge measure was never put to a roll-call vote. Vice President JD Vance signed the law when serving as a senator, but he later privately informed lobbyists that he would not attempt to promote it. This is just one example of the complicated dynamics at work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Tuesday, Marshall submitted his proposal as an amendmen<\/a>t to the stablecoin bill in the Senate. However, it's unclear if he would advocate for a floor vote. Durbin said that since the swipe charge concept had never before seen floor action, he was unsure if it would receive 60 votes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"We still haven't made a decision. Marshall said to Semafor on Wednesday, \"We're still measuring twice before we cut once.\" He claimed he hadn't determined how to handle the amendment and didn't want to talk about it any more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cryptocurrency sector is currently subtly urging its supporters on Capitol Hill<\/a> to prevent the amendment from being put to a vote. Some in the business argue that more Democrats may support the swipe charge measure if it were approved by a simple majority vote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The inclusion of the credit card amendment \"puts me on the spot, doesn't it?\" asked Durbin, who is against the larger stablecoin plan. However, with 69 senators voting to advance it on Wednesday and 60 senators needing to vote to pass it, the crypto measure doesn't have much space to lose support. Because of this, the majority of the sector is cautious of frightening off Republican politicians like Tillis. Supporters are optimistic that French Hill, R-Ark., the Financial Services Chair, would pass the bill unaltered in the House.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hill has been a strong opponent of Marshall and Durbin's bill and doesn't appear to be going anywhere: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"This is not one where I would be inclined to change my long-stated view,\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
he said in a February interview with Punchbowl News. One of the proponents of the stablecoin bill, Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., told Semafor on Wednesday, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"We're trying to keep this as clean and expedient as possible.\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","post_title":"Intense lobbying erupts over potential pairing of credit card and cryptocurrency legislation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"intense-lobbying-erupts-over-potential-pairing-of-credit-card-and-cryptocurrency-legislation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7834","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":38},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\nThe European Commission and European Parliament banned all Huawei lobbyists <\/a>from accessing the organisation\u2019s facilities in reaction to the controversy. Affiliates will be evaluated individually. Huawei stated it had no tolerance for corruption once the incident surfaced, but it hasn't released an official comment since. The Legal Affairs Committee of the EU Parliament will vote on withdrawing the immunity of the five lawmakers after the announcement on Wednesday.<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU integrity under pressure as Huawei-linked MEPs identified","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-integrity-under-pressure-as-huawei-linked-meps-identified","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-27 16:02:36","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-27 16:02:36","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7842,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-25 14:50:08","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-25 14:50:08","post_content":"\n
A Qatari foreign agent contributed about $30,000 to Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) campaign committees between 2020 and 2025. In order to support Qatar's interests<\/a>, Graham's office gave his lobbying business a lot of access during that time. This included more than 131 exchanges between the office and the agent, in-person meetings, and phone conversations with the senator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In recent years, this dynamic has been well demonstrated. According to a Washington Examiner analysis of hundreds of public records, Qatar's active foreign agents have given close to $700,000 to Congressmen and other government officials since 2020 while also having open channels of communication and face time with powerful lawmakers, frequently the same individuals they send checks to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to a 2018 scholarly study, when problems that are important to lobbyists are at the center of the political process, they boost their donations to certain committees and MPs. These lobbying payments may be driven by a desire to influence policy, as evidenced by another 2015 study that found that giving to a member of Congress improves access to their office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Andrew King, a Qatari foreign agent who made large donations to Graham's political action organizations, has more than just financial connections to the senator from South Carolina. King spent almost 20 years as a senior worker in Graham's office, where he oversaw the office's Middle Eastern affairs among other things, before starting Neale Creek, his government relations and political consulting business. In addition to his own political donations, King is the treasurer and co-founder of 150 PAC, which has given thousands of dollars to Graham and other members of Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to materials submitted to the Department of Justice, King and Neale Creek engaged in \"the promotion of business with the State of Qatar\" by using the access that congressional offices provided them. Graham's native state of South Carolina has significant investments from Qatar. However, the DOJ's Foreign Agents Registration Act database does not contain the particular papers that were exchanged between Neale Creek and congressional representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The impact of Neale Creek goes beyond Graham's workplace. The company has met with congressional sources in person, over the phone, over email, and through text messages, and has contributed close to $180,000 to members of Congress and related PACs since 2020. With almost $225,000 in donations made since 2020, Qatari foreign agents employed by Rubin Turnbull & Associates jointly made the largest contributions to political groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Communications from other companies representing Qatar provide some information, even if it may not be quite apparent what Neale Creek and King are saying to Congressmen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, documents disseminated by Qatari foreign agents employed by Venable minimize the Gulf state's ties to terrorist groups while highlighting what Qatar considers to be the benefits of investments made by its sovereign wealth fund.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, one of these documents presented to policymakers notes that Qatar is \u201ca founding member of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIS,\u201d but it fails to mention that the founder of Al Qaeda, the forerunner of ISIS, found refuge in Iraq thanks to a member of Qatar\u2019s royal family. Additionally, the Qatari monarch offered Qatari passports and $1 million in assistance to Iraqi Al Qaeda militants. Another important source of funding for Hamas has been Qatar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Similar to Neale Creek, Venable likewise contributes a sizable sum to the congressional representatives whose offices they subsequently influence. Campaign finance documents reveal that since 2020, the firm's PAC has contributed tens of thousands of dollars to entities associated with congressional leadership from both parties.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Donations from Qatari lobbyists raise ethical concerns on Capitol Hill","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"donations-from-qatari-lobbyists-raise-ethical-concerns-on-capitol-hill","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-26 14:55:12","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-26 14:55:12","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7842","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7834,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-24 13:40:18","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-24 13:40:18","post_content":"\n
Cryptocurrency companies had to make two attempts to persuade the Senate to approve a scheme they had long been pursuing to regulate stablecoins, which are digital assets that are based on currencies like the dollar. It has come to light that now, the entire plan might be derailed by a contentious policy dispute over credit cards. Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) have long been at odds over legislation that would increase competition and target credit card swipe fees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banks, credit unions, Visa, and Mastercard claim the law would compel businesses to reduce customer benefits, while retailers claim it would lower prices for consumers. Additionally, the proposal's detractors are putting up a fierce battle against a recent attempt to include it in the Senate's stablecoin bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"It's a terrible policy.\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
He went on to say, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"I'd go from being a co-sponsor to trying to figure out how to tank the [stablecoin] bill if the swipe fee measure got attached.\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
My coworkers won't be surprised by it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For years, the conflicting interests and their large financial stakes have kept the Republican Party so split that the swipe charge measure was never put to a roll-call vote. Vice President JD Vance signed the law when serving as a senator, but he later privately informed lobbyists that he would not attempt to promote it. This is just one example of the complicated dynamics at work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Tuesday, Marshall submitted his proposal as an amendmen<\/a>t to the stablecoin bill in the Senate. However, it's unclear if he would advocate for a floor vote. Durbin said that since the swipe charge concept had never before seen floor action, he was unsure if it would receive 60 votes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"We still haven't made a decision. Marshall said to Semafor on Wednesday, \"We're still measuring twice before we cut once.\" He claimed he hadn't determined how to handle the amendment and didn't want to talk about it any more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cryptocurrency sector is currently subtly urging its supporters on Capitol Hill<\/a> to prevent the amendment from being put to a vote. Some in the business argue that more Democrats may support the swipe charge measure if it were approved by a simple majority vote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The inclusion of the credit card amendment \"puts me on the spot, doesn't it?\" asked Durbin, who is against the larger stablecoin plan. However, with 69 senators voting to advance it on Wednesday and 60 senators needing to vote to pass it, the crypto measure doesn't have much space to lose support. Because of this, the majority of the sector is cautious of frightening off Republican politicians like Tillis. Supporters are optimistic that French Hill, R-Ark., the Financial Services Chair, would pass the bill unaltered in the House.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hill has been a strong opponent of Marshall and Durbin's bill and doesn't appear to be going anywhere: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"This is not one where I would be inclined to change my long-stated view,\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
he said in a February interview with Punchbowl News. One of the proponents of the stablecoin bill, Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., told Semafor on Wednesday, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"We're trying to keep this as clean and expedient as possible.\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","post_title":"Intense lobbying erupts over potential pairing of credit card and cryptocurrency legislation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"intense-lobbying-erupts-over-potential-pairing-of-credit-card-and-cryptocurrency-legislation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7834","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":38},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\nhe told the Bulgarian press. Adam Mukhtar, Minchev's assistant, had his office raided by authorities in the middle of March.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The European Commission and European Parliament banned all Huawei lobbyists <\/a>from accessing the organisation\u2019s facilities in reaction to the controversy. Affiliates will be evaluated individually. Huawei stated it had no tolerance for corruption once the incident surfaced, but it hasn't released an official comment since. The Legal Affairs Committee of the EU Parliament will vote on withdrawing the immunity of the five lawmakers after the announcement on Wednesday.<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU integrity under pressure as Huawei-linked MEPs identified","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-integrity-under-pressure-as-huawei-linked-meps-identified","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-27 16:02:36","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-27 16:02:36","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7842,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-25 14:50:08","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-25 14:50:08","post_content":"\n
A Qatari foreign agent contributed about $30,000 to Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) campaign committees between 2020 and 2025. In order to support Qatar's interests<\/a>, Graham's office gave his lobbying business a lot of access during that time. This included more than 131 exchanges between the office and the agent, in-person meetings, and phone conversations with the senator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In recent years, this dynamic has been well demonstrated. According to a Washington Examiner analysis of hundreds of public records, Qatar's active foreign agents have given close to $700,000 to Congressmen and other government officials since 2020 while also having open channels of communication and face time with powerful lawmakers, frequently the same individuals they send checks to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to a 2018 scholarly study, when problems that are important to lobbyists are at the center of the political process, they boost their donations to certain committees and MPs. These lobbying payments may be driven by a desire to influence policy, as evidenced by another 2015 study that found that giving to a member of Congress improves access to their office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Andrew King, a Qatari foreign agent who made large donations to Graham's political action organizations, has more than just financial connections to the senator from South Carolina. King spent almost 20 years as a senior worker in Graham's office, where he oversaw the office's Middle Eastern affairs among other things, before starting Neale Creek, his government relations and political consulting business. In addition to his own political donations, King is the treasurer and co-founder of 150 PAC, which has given thousands of dollars to Graham and other members of Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to materials submitted to the Department of Justice, King and Neale Creek engaged in \"the promotion of business with the State of Qatar\" by using the access that congressional offices provided them. Graham's native state of South Carolina has significant investments from Qatar. However, the DOJ's Foreign Agents Registration Act database does not contain the particular papers that were exchanged between Neale Creek and congressional representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The impact of Neale Creek goes beyond Graham's workplace. The company has met with congressional sources in person, over the phone, over email, and through text messages, and has contributed close to $180,000 to members of Congress and related PACs since 2020. With almost $225,000 in donations made since 2020, Qatari foreign agents employed by Rubin Turnbull & Associates jointly made the largest contributions to political groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Communications from other companies representing Qatar provide some information, even if it may not be quite apparent what Neale Creek and King are saying to Congressmen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, documents disseminated by Qatari foreign agents employed by Venable minimize the Gulf state's ties to terrorist groups while highlighting what Qatar considers to be the benefits of investments made by its sovereign wealth fund.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, one of these documents presented to policymakers notes that Qatar is \u201ca founding member of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIS,\u201d but it fails to mention that the founder of Al Qaeda, the forerunner of ISIS, found refuge in Iraq thanks to a member of Qatar\u2019s royal family. Additionally, the Qatari monarch offered Qatari passports and $1 million in assistance to Iraqi Al Qaeda militants. Another important source of funding for Hamas has been Qatar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Similar to Neale Creek, Venable likewise contributes a sizable sum to the congressional representatives whose offices they subsequently influence. Campaign finance documents reveal that since 2020, the firm's PAC has contributed tens of thousands of dollars to entities associated with congressional leadership from both parties.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Donations from Qatari lobbyists raise ethical concerns on Capitol Hill","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"donations-from-qatari-lobbyists-raise-ethical-concerns-on-capitol-hill","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-26 14:55:12","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-26 14:55:12","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7842","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7834,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-24 13:40:18","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-24 13:40:18","post_content":"\n
Cryptocurrency companies had to make two attempts to persuade the Senate to approve a scheme they had long been pursuing to regulate stablecoins, which are digital assets that are based on currencies like the dollar. It has come to light that now, the entire plan might be derailed by a contentious policy dispute over credit cards. Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) have long been at odds over legislation that would increase competition and target credit card swipe fees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banks, credit unions, Visa, and Mastercard claim the law would compel businesses to reduce customer benefits, while retailers claim it would lower prices for consumers. Additionally, the proposal's detractors are putting up a fierce battle against a recent attempt to include it in the Senate's stablecoin bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"It's a terrible policy.\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
He went on to say, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"I'd go from being a co-sponsor to trying to figure out how to tank the [stablecoin] bill if the swipe fee measure got attached.\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
My coworkers won't be surprised by it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For years, the conflicting interests and their large financial stakes have kept the Republican Party so split that the swipe charge measure was never put to a roll-call vote. Vice President JD Vance signed the law when serving as a senator, but he later privately informed lobbyists that he would not attempt to promote it. This is just one example of the complicated dynamics at work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Tuesday, Marshall submitted his proposal as an amendmen<\/a>t to the stablecoin bill in the Senate. However, it's unclear if he would advocate for a floor vote. Durbin said that since the swipe charge concept had never before seen floor action, he was unsure if it would receive 60 votes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"We still haven't made a decision. Marshall said to Semafor on Wednesday, \"We're still measuring twice before we cut once.\" He claimed he hadn't determined how to handle the amendment and didn't want to talk about it any more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cryptocurrency sector is currently subtly urging its supporters on Capitol Hill<\/a> to prevent the amendment from being put to a vote. Some in the business argue that more Democrats may support the swipe charge measure if it were approved by a simple majority vote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The inclusion of the credit card amendment \"puts me on the spot, doesn't it?\" asked Durbin, who is against the larger stablecoin plan. However, with 69 senators voting to advance it on Wednesday and 60 senators needing to vote to pass it, the crypto measure doesn't have much space to lose support. Because of this, the majority of the sector is cautious of frightening off Republican politicians like Tillis. Supporters are optimistic that French Hill, R-Ark., the Financial Services Chair, would pass the bill unaltered in the House.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hill has been a strong opponent of Marshall and Durbin's bill and doesn't appear to be going anywhere: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"This is not one where I would be inclined to change my long-stated view,\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
he said in a February interview with Punchbowl News. One of the proponents of the stablecoin bill, Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., told Semafor on Wednesday, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"We're trying to keep this as clean and expedient as possible.\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","post_title":"Intense lobbying erupts over potential pairing of credit card and cryptocurrency legislation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"intense-lobbying-erupts-over-potential-pairing-of-credit-card-and-cryptocurrency-legislation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7834","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":38},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\n\"My presence at this event is now the reason for the management investigation into any potential issues or wrongdoing,\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
he told the Bulgarian press. Adam Mukhtar, Minchev's assistant, had his office raided by authorities in the middle of March.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The European Commission and European Parliament banned all Huawei lobbyists <\/a>from accessing the organisation\u2019s facilities in reaction to the controversy. Affiliates will be evaluated individually. Huawei stated it had no tolerance for corruption once the incident surfaced, but it hasn't released an official comment since. The Legal Affairs Committee of the EU Parliament will vote on withdrawing the immunity of the five lawmakers after the announcement on Wednesday.<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU integrity under pressure as Huawei-linked MEPs identified","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-integrity-under-pressure-as-huawei-linked-meps-identified","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-27 16:02:36","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-27 16:02:36","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7842,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-25 14:50:08","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-25 14:50:08","post_content":"\n
A Qatari foreign agent contributed about $30,000 to Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) campaign committees between 2020 and 2025. In order to support Qatar's interests<\/a>, Graham's office gave his lobbying business a lot of access during that time. This included more than 131 exchanges between the office and the agent, in-person meetings, and phone conversations with the senator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In recent years, this dynamic has been well demonstrated. According to a Washington Examiner analysis of hundreds of public records, Qatar's active foreign agents have given close to $700,000 to Congressmen and other government officials since 2020 while also having open channels of communication and face time with powerful lawmakers, frequently the same individuals they send checks to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to a 2018 scholarly study, when problems that are important to lobbyists are at the center of the political process, they boost their donations to certain committees and MPs. These lobbying payments may be driven by a desire to influence policy, as evidenced by another 2015 study that found that giving to a member of Congress improves access to their office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Andrew King, a Qatari foreign agent who made large donations to Graham's political action organizations, has more than just financial connections to the senator from South Carolina. King spent almost 20 years as a senior worker in Graham's office, where he oversaw the office's Middle Eastern affairs among other things, before starting Neale Creek, his government relations and political consulting business. In addition to his own political donations, King is the treasurer and co-founder of 150 PAC, which has given thousands of dollars to Graham and other members of Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to materials submitted to the Department of Justice, King and Neale Creek engaged in \"the promotion of business with the State of Qatar\" by using the access that congressional offices provided them. Graham's native state of South Carolina has significant investments from Qatar. However, the DOJ's Foreign Agents Registration Act database does not contain the particular papers that were exchanged between Neale Creek and congressional representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The impact of Neale Creek goes beyond Graham's workplace. The company has met with congressional sources in person, over the phone, over email, and through text messages, and has contributed close to $180,000 to members of Congress and related PACs since 2020. With almost $225,000 in donations made since 2020, Qatari foreign agents employed by Rubin Turnbull & Associates jointly made the largest contributions to political groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Communications from other companies representing Qatar provide some information, even if it may not be quite apparent what Neale Creek and King are saying to Congressmen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, documents disseminated by Qatari foreign agents employed by Venable minimize the Gulf state's ties to terrorist groups while highlighting what Qatar considers to be the benefits of investments made by its sovereign wealth fund.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, one of these documents presented to policymakers notes that Qatar is \u201ca founding member of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIS,\u201d but it fails to mention that the founder of Al Qaeda, the forerunner of ISIS, found refuge in Iraq thanks to a member of Qatar\u2019s royal family. Additionally, the Qatari monarch offered Qatari passports and $1 million in assistance to Iraqi Al Qaeda militants. Another important source of funding for Hamas has been Qatar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Similar to Neale Creek, Venable likewise contributes a sizable sum to the congressional representatives whose offices they subsequently influence. Campaign finance documents reveal that since 2020, the firm's PAC has contributed tens of thousands of dollars to entities associated with congressional leadership from both parties.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Donations from Qatari lobbyists raise ethical concerns on Capitol Hill","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"donations-from-qatari-lobbyists-raise-ethical-concerns-on-capitol-hill","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-26 14:55:12","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-26 14:55:12","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7842","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7834,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-24 13:40:18","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-24 13:40:18","post_content":"\n
Cryptocurrency companies had to make two attempts to persuade the Senate to approve a scheme they had long been pursuing to regulate stablecoins, which are digital assets that are based on currencies like the dollar. It has come to light that now, the entire plan might be derailed by a contentious policy dispute over credit cards. Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) have long been at odds over legislation that would increase competition and target credit card swipe fees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banks, credit unions, Visa, and Mastercard claim the law would compel businesses to reduce customer benefits, while retailers claim it would lower prices for consumers. Additionally, the proposal's detractors are putting up a fierce battle against a recent attempt to include it in the Senate's stablecoin bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"It's a terrible policy.\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
He went on to say, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"I'd go from being a co-sponsor to trying to figure out how to tank the [stablecoin] bill if the swipe fee measure got attached.\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
My coworkers won't be surprised by it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For years, the conflicting interests and their large financial stakes have kept the Republican Party so split that the swipe charge measure was never put to a roll-call vote. Vice President JD Vance signed the law when serving as a senator, but he later privately informed lobbyists that he would not attempt to promote it. This is just one example of the complicated dynamics at work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Tuesday, Marshall submitted his proposal as an amendmen<\/a>t to the stablecoin bill in the Senate. However, it's unclear if he would advocate for a floor vote. Durbin said that since the swipe charge concept had never before seen floor action, he was unsure if it would receive 60 votes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"We still haven't made a decision. Marshall said to Semafor on Wednesday, \"We're still measuring twice before we cut once.\" He claimed he hadn't determined how to handle the amendment and didn't want to talk about it any more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cryptocurrency sector is currently subtly urging its supporters on Capitol Hill<\/a> to prevent the amendment from being put to a vote. Some in the business argue that more Democrats may support the swipe charge measure if it were approved by a simple majority vote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The inclusion of the credit card amendment \"puts me on the spot, doesn't it?\" asked Durbin, who is against the larger stablecoin plan. However, with 69 senators voting to advance it on Wednesday and 60 senators needing to vote to pass it, the crypto measure doesn't have much space to lose support. Because of this, the majority of the sector is cautious of frightening off Republican politicians like Tillis. Supporters are optimistic that French Hill, R-Ark., the Financial Services Chair, would pass the bill unaltered in the House.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hill has been a strong opponent of Marshall and Durbin's bill and doesn't appear to be going anywhere: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"This is not one where I would be inclined to change my long-stated view,\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
he said in a February interview with Punchbowl News. One of the proponents of the stablecoin bill, Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., told Semafor on Wednesday, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"We're trying to keep this as clean and expedient as possible.\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","post_title":"Intense lobbying erupts over potential pairing of credit card and cryptocurrency legislation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"intense-lobbying-erupts-over-potential-pairing-of-credit-card-and-cryptocurrency-legislation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7834","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":38},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\n\n\"My presence at this event is now the reason for the management investigation into any potential issues or wrongdoing,\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
he told the Bulgarian press. Adam Mukhtar, Minchev's assistant, had his office raided by authorities in the middle of March.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The European Commission and European Parliament banned all Huawei lobbyists <\/a>from accessing the organisation\u2019s facilities in reaction to the controversy. Affiliates will be evaluated individually. Huawei stated it had no tolerance for corruption once the incident surfaced, but it hasn't released an official comment since. The Legal Affairs Committee of the EU Parliament will vote on withdrawing the immunity of the five lawmakers after the announcement on Wednesday.<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU integrity under pressure as Huawei-linked MEPs identified","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-integrity-under-pressure-as-huawei-linked-meps-identified","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-27 16:02:36","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-27 16:02:36","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7842,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-25 14:50:08","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-25 14:50:08","post_content":"\n
A Qatari foreign agent contributed about $30,000 to Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) campaign committees between 2020 and 2025. In order to support Qatar's interests<\/a>, Graham's office gave his lobbying business a lot of access during that time. This included more than 131 exchanges between the office and the agent, in-person meetings, and phone conversations with the senator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In recent years, this dynamic has been well demonstrated. According to a Washington Examiner analysis of hundreds of public records, Qatar's active foreign agents have given close to $700,000 to Congressmen and other government officials since 2020 while also having open channels of communication and face time with powerful lawmakers, frequently the same individuals they send checks to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to a 2018 scholarly study, when problems that are important to lobbyists are at the center of the political process, they boost their donations to certain committees and MPs. These lobbying payments may be driven by a desire to influence policy, as evidenced by another 2015 study that found that giving to a member of Congress improves access to their office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Andrew King, a Qatari foreign agent who made large donations to Graham's political action organizations, has more than just financial connections to the senator from South Carolina. King spent almost 20 years as a senior worker in Graham's office, where he oversaw the office's Middle Eastern affairs among other things, before starting Neale Creek, his government relations and political consulting business. In addition to his own political donations, King is the treasurer and co-founder of 150 PAC, which has given thousands of dollars to Graham and other members of Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to materials submitted to the Department of Justice, King and Neale Creek engaged in \"the promotion of business with the State of Qatar\" by using the access that congressional offices provided them. Graham's native state of South Carolina has significant investments from Qatar. However, the DOJ's Foreign Agents Registration Act database does not contain the particular papers that were exchanged between Neale Creek and congressional representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The impact of Neale Creek goes beyond Graham's workplace. The company has met with congressional sources in person, over the phone, over email, and through text messages, and has contributed close to $180,000 to members of Congress and related PACs since 2020. With almost $225,000 in donations made since 2020, Qatari foreign agents employed by Rubin Turnbull & Associates jointly made the largest contributions to political groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Communications from other companies representing Qatar provide some information, even if it may not be quite apparent what Neale Creek and King are saying to Congressmen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, documents disseminated by Qatari foreign agents employed by Venable minimize the Gulf state's ties to terrorist groups while highlighting what Qatar considers to be the benefits of investments made by its sovereign wealth fund.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, one of these documents presented to policymakers notes that Qatar is \u201ca founding member of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIS,\u201d but it fails to mention that the founder of Al Qaeda, the forerunner of ISIS, found refuge in Iraq thanks to a member of Qatar\u2019s royal family. Additionally, the Qatari monarch offered Qatari passports and $1 million in assistance to Iraqi Al Qaeda militants. Another important source of funding for Hamas has been Qatar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Similar to Neale Creek, Venable likewise contributes a sizable sum to the congressional representatives whose offices they subsequently influence. Campaign finance documents reveal that since 2020, the firm's PAC has contributed tens of thousands of dollars to entities associated with congressional leadership from both parties.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Donations from Qatari lobbyists raise ethical concerns on Capitol Hill","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"donations-from-qatari-lobbyists-raise-ethical-concerns-on-capitol-hill","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-26 14:55:12","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-26 14:55:12","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7842","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7834,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-24 13:40:18","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-24 13:40:18","post_content":"\n
Cryptocurrency companies had to make two attempts to persuade the Senate to approve a scheme they had long been pursuing to regulate stablecoins, which are digital assets that are based on currencies like the dollar. It has come to light that now, the entire plan might be derailed by a contentious policy dispute over credit cards. Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) have long been at odds over legislation that would increase competition and target credit card swipe fees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banks, credit unions, Visa, and Mastercard claim the law would compel businesses to reduce customer benefits, while retailers claim it would lower prices for consumers. Additionally, the proposal's detractors are putting up a fierce battle against a recent attempt to include it in the Senate's stablecoin bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"It's a terrible policy.\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
He went on to say, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"I'd go from being a co-sponsor to trying to figure out how to tank the [stablecoin] bill if the swipe fee measure got attached.\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
My coworkers won't be surprised by it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For years, the conflicting interests and their large financial stakes have kept the Republican Party so split that the swipe charge measure was never put to a roll-call vote. Vice President JD Vance signed the law when serving as a senator, but he later privately informed lobbyists that he would not attempt to promote it. This is just one example of the complicated dynamics at work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Tuesday, Marshall submitted his proposal as an amendmen<\/a>t to the stablecoin bill in the Senate. However, it's unclear if he would advocate for a floor vote. Durbin said that since the swipe charge concept had never before seen floor action, he was unsure if it would receive 60 votes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"We still haven't made a decision. Marshall said to Semafor on Wednesday, \"We're still measuring twice before we cut once.\" He claimed he hadn't determined how to handle the amendment and didn't want to talk about it any more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cryptocurrency sector is currently subtly urging its supporters on Capitol Hill<\/a> to prevent the amendment from being put to a vote. Some in the business argue that more Democrats may support the swipe charge measure if it were approved by a simple majority vote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The inclusion of the credit card amendment \"puts me on the spot, doesn't it?\" asked Durbin, who is against the larger stablecoin plan. However, with 69 senators voting to advance it on Wednesday and 60 senators needing to vote to pass it, the crypto measure doesn't have much space to lose support. Because of this, the majority of the sector is cautious of frightening off Republican politicians like Tillis. Supporters are optimistic that French Hill, R-Ark., the Financial Services Chair, would pass the bill unaltered in the House.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hill has been a strong opponent of Marshall and Durbin's bill and doesn't appear to be going anywhere: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"This is not one where I would be inclined to change my long-stated view,\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
he said in a February interview with Punchbowl News. One of the proponents of the stablecoin bill, Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., told Semafor on Wednesday, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"We're trying to keep this as clean and expedient as possible.\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","post_title":"Intense lobbying erupts over potential pairing of credit card and cryptocurrency legislation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"intense-lobbying-erupts-over-potential-pairing-of-credit-card-and-cryptocurrency-legislation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7834","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":38},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\nMinchev, a Bulgarian Renew MEP, is also being investigated for going<\/a> to Huawei's box during a football game in Anderlecht. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"My presence at this event is now the reason for the management investigation into any potential issues or wrongdoing,\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
he told the Bulgarian press. Adam Mukhtar, Minchev's assistant, had his office raided by authorities in the middle of March.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The European Commission and European Parliament banned all Huawei lobbyists <\/a>from accessing the organisation\u2019s facilities in reaction to the controversy. Affiliates will be evaluated individually. Huawei stated it had no tolerance for corruption once the incident surfaced, but it hasn't released an official comment since. The Legal Affairs Committee of the EU Parliament will vote on withdrawing the immunity of the five lawmakers after the announcement on Wednesday.<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU integrity under pressure as Huawei-linked MEPs identified","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-integrity-under-pressure-as-huawei-linked-meps-identified","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-27 16:02:36","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-27 16:02:36","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7842,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-25 14:50:08","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-25 14:50:08","post_content":"\n
A Qatari foreign agent contributed about $30,000 to Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) campaign committees between 2020 and 2025. In order to support Qatar's interests<\/a>, Graham's office gave his lobbying business a lot of access during that time. This included more than 131 exchanges between the office and the agent, in-person meetings, and phone conversations with the senator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In recent years, this dynamic has been well demonstrated. According to a Washington Examiner analysis of hundreds of public records, Qatar's active foreign agents have given close to $700,000 to Congressmen and other government officials since 2020 while also having open channels of communication and face time with powerful lawmakers, frequently the same individuals they send checks to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to a 2018 scholarly study, when problems that are important to lobbyists are at the center of the political process, they boost their donations to certain committees and MPs. These lobbying payments may be driven by a desire to influence policy, as evidenced by another 2015 study that found that giving to a member of Congress improves access to their office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Andrew King, a Qatari foreign agent who made large donations to Graham's political action organizations, has more than just financial connections to the senator from South Carolina. King spent almost 20 years as a senior worker in Graham's office, where he oversaw the office's Middle Eastern affairs among other things, before starting Neale Creek, his government relations and political consulting business. In addition to his own political donations, King is the treasurer and co-founder of 150 PAC, which has given thousands of dollars to Graham and other members of Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to materials submitted to the Department of Justice, King and Neale Creek engaged in \"the promotion of business with the State of Qatar\" by using the access that congressional offices provided them. Graham's native state of South Carolina has significant investments from Qatar. However, the DOJ's Foreign Agents Registration Act database does not contain the particular papers that were exchanged between Neale Creek and congressional representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The impact of Neale Creek goes beyond Graham's workplace. The company has met with congressional sources in person, over the phone, over email, and through text messages, and has contributed close to $180,000 to members of Congress and related PACs since 2020. With almost $225,000 in donations made since 2020, Qatari foreign agents employed by Rubin Turnbull & Associates jointly made the largest contributions to political groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Communications from other companies representing Qatar provide some information, even if it may not be quite apparent what Neale Creek and King are saying to Congressmen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, documents disseminated by Qatari foreign agents employed by Venable minimize the Gulf state's ties to terrorist groups while highlighting what Qatar considers to be the benefits of investments made by its sovereign wealth fund.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, one of these documents presented to policymakers notes that Qatar is \u201ca founding member of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIS,\u201d but it fails to mention that the founder of Al Qaeda, the forerunner of ISIS, found refuge in Iraq thanks to a member of Qatar\u2019s royal family. Additionally, the Qatari monarch offered Qatari passports and $1 million in assistance to Iraqi Al Qaeda militants. Another important source of funding for Hamas has been Qatar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Similar to Neale Creek, Venable likewise contributes a sizable sum to the congressional representatives whose offices they subsequently influence. Campaign finance documents reveal that since 2020, the firm's PAC has contributed tens of thousands of dollars to entities associated with congressional leadership from both parties.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Donations from Qatari lobbyists raise ethical concerns on Capitol Hill","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"donations-from-qatari-lobbyists-raise-ethical-concerns-on-capitol-hill","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-26 14:55:12","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-26 14:55:12","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7842","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7834,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-24 13:40:18","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-24 13:40:18","post_content":"\n
Cryptocurrency companies had to make two attempts to persuade the Senate to approve a scheme they had long been pursuing to regulate stablecoins, which are digital assets that are based on currencies like the dollar. It has come to light that now, the entire plan might be derailed by a contentious policy dispute over credit cards. Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) have long been at odds over legislation that would increase competition and target credit card swipe fees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banks, credit unions, Visa, and Mastercard claim the law would compel businesses to reduce customer benefits, while retailers claim it would lower prices for consumers. Additionally, the proposal's detractors are putting up a fierce battle against a recent attempt to include it in the Senate's stablecoin bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"It's a terrible policy.\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
He went on to say, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"I'd go from being a co-sponsor to trying to figure out how to tank the [stablecoin] bill if the swipe fee measure got attached.\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
My coworkers won't be surprised by it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For years, the conflicting interests and their large financial stakes have kept the Republican Party so split that the swipe charge measure was never put to a roll-call vote. Vice President JD Vance signed the law when serving as a senator, but he later privately informed lobbyists that he would not attempt to promote it. This is just one example of the complicated dynamics at work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Tuesday, Marshall submitted his proposal as an amendmen<\/a>t to the stablecoin bill in the Senate. However, it's unclear if he would advocate for a floor vote. Durbin said that since the swipe charge concept had never before seen floor action, he was unsure if it would receive 60 votes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"We still haven't made a decision. Marshall said to Semafor on Wednesday, \"We're still measuring twice before we cut once.\" He claimed he hadn't determined how to handle the amendment and didn't want to talk about it any more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cryptocurrency sector is currently subtly urging its supporters on Capitol Hill<\/a> to prevent the amendment from being put to a vote. Some in the business argue that more Democrats may support the swipe charge measure if it were approved by a simple majority vote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The inclusion of the credit card amendment \"puts me on the spot, doesn't it?\" asked Durbin, who is against the larger stablecoin plan. However, with 69 senators voting to advance it on Wednesday and 60 senators needing to vote to pass it, the crypto measure doesn't have much space to lose support. Because of this, the majority of the sector is cautious of frightening off Republican politicians like Tillis. Supporters are optimistic that French Hill, R-Ark., the Financial Services Chair, would pass the bill unaltered in the House.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hill has been a strong opponent of Marshall and Durbin's bill and doesn't appear to be going anywhere: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"This is not one where I would be inclined to change my long-stated view,\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
he said in a February interview with Punchbowl News. One of the proponents of the stablecoin bill, Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., told Semafor on Wednesday, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"We're trying to keep this as clean and expedient as possible.\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","post_title":"Intense lobbying erupts over potential pairing of credit card and cryptocurrency legislation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"intense-lobbying-erupts-over-potential-pairing-of-credit-card-and-cryptocurrency-legislation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-25 13:46:10","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7834","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":38},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\nhe stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Minchev, a Bulgarian Renew MEP, is also being investigated for going<\/a> to Huawei's box during a football game in Anderlecht. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"My presence at this event is now the reason for the management investigation into any potential issues or wrongdoing,\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
he told the Bulgarian press. Adam Mukhtar, Minchev's assistant, had his office raided by authorities in the middle of March.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The European Commission and European Parliament banned all Huawei lobbyists <\/a>from accessing the organisation\u2019s facilities in reaction to the controversy. Affiliates will be evaluated individually. Huawei stated it had no tolerance for corruption once the incident surfaced, but it hasn't released an official comment since. The Legal Affairs Committee of the EU Parliament will vote on withdrawing the immunity of the five lawmakers after the announcement on Wednesday.<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU integrity under pressure as Huawei-linked MEPs identified","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-integrity-under-pressure-as-huawei-linked-meps-identified","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-27 16:02:36","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-27 16:02:36","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7842,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-25 14:50:08","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-25 14:50:08","post_content":"\n
A Qatari foreign agent contributed about $30,000 to Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) campaign committees between 2020 and 2025. In order to support Qatar's interests<\/a>, Graham's office gave his lobbying business a lot of access during that time. This included more than 131 exchanges between the office and the agent, in-person meetings, and phone conversations with the senator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In recent years, this dynamic has been well demonstrated. According to a Washington Examiner analysis of hundreds of public records, Qatar's active foreign agents have given close to $700,000 to Congressmen and other government officials since 2020 while also having open channels of communication and face time with powerful lawmakers, frequently the same individuals they send checks to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to a 2018 scholarly study, when problems that are important to lobbyists are at the center of the political process, they boost their donations to certain committees and MPs. These lobbying payments may be driven by a desire to influence policy, as evidenced by another 2015 study that found that giving to a member of Congress improves access to their office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Andrew King, a Qatari foreign agent who made large donations to Graham's political action organizations, has more than just financial connections to the senator from South Carolina. King spent almost 20 years as a senior worker in Graham's office, where he oversaw the office's Middle Eastern affairs among other things, before starting Neale Creek, his government relations and political consulting business. In addition to his own political donations, King is the treasurer and co-founder of 150 PAC, which has given thousands of dollars to Graham and other members of Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to materials submitted to the Department of Justice, King and Neale Creek engaged in \"the promotion of business with the State of Qatar\" by using the access that congressional offices provided them. Graham's native state of South Carolina has significant investments from Qatar. However, the DOJ's Foreign Agents Registration Act database does not contain the particular papers that were exchanged between Neale Creek and congressional representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The impact of Neale Creek goes beyond Graham's workplace. The company has met with congressional sources in person, over the phone, over email, and through text messages, and has contributed close to $180,000 to members of Congress and related PACs since 2020. With almost $225,000 in donations made since 2020, Qatari foreign agents employed by Rubin Turnbull & Associates jointly made the largest contributions to political groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Communications from other companies representing Qatar provide some information, even if it may not be quite apparent what Neale Creek and King are saying to Congressmen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, documents disseminated by Qatari foreign agents employed by Venable minimize the Gulf state's ties to terrorist groups while highlighting what Qatar considers to be the benefits of investments made by its sovereign wealth fund.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, one of these documents presented to policymakers notes that Qatar is \u201ca founding member of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIS,\u201d but it fails to mention that the founder of Al Qaeda, the forerunner of ISIS, found refuge in Iraq thanks to a member of Qatar\u2019s royal family. Additionally, the Qatari monarch offered Qatari passports and $1 million in assistance to Iraqi Al Qaeda militants. Another important source of funding for Hamas has been Qatar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Similar to Neale Creek, Venable likewise contributes a sizable sum to the congressional representatives whose offices they subsequently influence. Campaign finance documents reveal that since 2020, the firm's PAC has contributed tens of thousands of dollars to entities associated with congressional leadership from both parties.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Donations from Qatari lobbyists raise ethical concerns on Capitol Hill","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"donations-from-qatari-lobbyists-raise-ethical-concerns-on-capitol-hill","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-26 14:55:12","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-26 14:55:12","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7842","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7834,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-24 13:40:18","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-24 13:40:18","post_content":"\n
Cryptocurrency companies had to make two attempts to persuade the Senate to approve a scheme they had long been pursuing to regulate stablecoins, which are digital assets that are based on currencies like the dollar. It has come to light that now, the entire plan might be derailed by a contentious policy dispute over credit cards. Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) have long been at odds over legislation that would increase competition and target credit card swipe fees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banks, credit unions, Visa, and Mastercard claim the law would compel businesses to reduce customer benefits, while retailers claim it would lower prices for consumers. Additionally, the proposal's detractors are putting up a fierce battle against a recent attempt to include it in the Senate's stablecoin bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"It's a terrible policy.\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
He went on to say, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\"I'd go from being a co-sponsor to trying to figure out how to tank the [stablecoin] bill if the swipe fee measure got attached.\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
My coworkers won't be surprised by it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For years, the conflicting interests and their large financial stakes have kept the Republican Party so split that the swipe charge measure was never put to a roll-call vote. Vice President JD Vance signed the law when serving as a senator, but he later privately informed lobbyists that he would not attempt to promote it. This is just one example of the complicated dynamics at work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n