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LOBBYING REPORT |
Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (Section 5) - All Filers Are Required to Complete This Page
2. Address
| Address1 | 1314 South 18th Street |
Address2 |
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| City | St. Louis |
State | MO |
Zip Code | 63104 |
Country | USA |
3. Principal place of business (if different than line 2)
| City | St. Louis |
State | MO |
Zip Code | 63104 |
Country | USA |
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5. Senate ID# 401104707-12
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6. House ID# 438810001
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| TYPE OF REPORT | 8. Year | 2019 |
Q1 (1/1 - 3/31) | Q2 (4/1 - 6/30) | Q3 (7/1 - 9/30) | Q4 (10/1 - 12/31) |
9. Check if this filing amends a previously filed version of this report
| 10. Check if this is a Termination Report | Termination Date |
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11. No Lobbying Issue Activity |
| INCOME OR EXPENSES - YOU MUST complete either Line 12 or Line 13 | |||||||||
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| 12. Lobbying | 13. Organizations | ||||||||
| INCOME relating to lobbying activities for this reporting period was: | EXPENSE relating to lobbying activities for this reporting period were: | ||||||||
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| Provide a good faith estimate, rounded to the nearest $10,000, of all lobbying related income for the client (including all payments to the registrant by any other entity for lobbying activities on behalf of the client). | 14. REPORTING Check box to indicate expense accounting method. See instructions for description of options. | ||||||||
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Method A.
Reporting amounts using LDA definitions only
Method B. Reporting amounts under section 6033(b)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code Method C. Reporting amounts under section 162(e) of the Internal Revenue Code |
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| Signature | Digitally Signed By: Natalie J. Higgins |
Date | 4/27/2019 2:49:11 PM |
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code TAX
16. Specific lobbying issues
EDA supports legislation which eliminated the Death Tax. This Congress, EDA supports the following bills which are aimed to reduce or completely eliminate these taxes which unfairly burden small businesses:
oS.215 and H.R. 222 (The Death Tax Repeal Act);
oS. 176 (The Estate Tax Rate Reduction Act);
oH.R. 521 (Permanently Repeal the Estate Tax Act of 2019);
oH.R.217 (Permanent Tax Relief for Working Families Act).
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Natalie J. |
Higgins |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code LBR
16. Specific lobbying issues
EDA supports common sense reform to the broken and unworkable H-2B program. This program is critical for seasonal staffing in needed to support the health of our customers. We view this as a workforce issue rather than simply an issue of immigration or immigration reform.
Specifically, EDA supported the adoption of the Tillis- Harris Amendment and would like to see legislation of this caliber re-introduced this Congress. Pertinent aspects of the Amendment included:
A permanent increase in the cap from 66,000 to 132,000 visas.
Cap exempt visas, within specified SOC Codes, for workers performing work that directly supports the reconstruction or restoration of physical property and infrastructure or debris clean-up and removal related to natural disasters, in declared disaster states.
H-2B employers will be required to participate in the federal E-Verify program for all employees hired no later than 1 year after enactment of legislation AND within 3 years of enactment ALL hires made on or after October 1, 2012. For each worker who fails E-Verify, the employer may replace the worker with a cap exempt H-2B worker for up to three years.
The worker would count against the cap after the third year.
Increase in the anti-fraud fee from $150 to $350 per petition.
Establishment of DOL electronic jobs registry. DOL will collect a fee from H-2B employers to pay for this registry.
Definitional changes to the H-2B program allowing employers to utilize the H-2A program for workers in the forestry, horticulture, aquaculture (seafood processing) and equine related services.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Executive Office of the President (EOP)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Natalie |
Higgins |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code TRD
16. Specific lobbying issues
EDA supports the implementation of trade agreements which level the playing field for U.S. companies who import and export goods. To this end:
EDA supports congressional adoption of the USMCA. (United States, Mexico, Canada Agreement). While far from perfect, this Agreement will ensure that our relationship with our North American Trading partners continues and does not deteriorate further.
EDA opposes the continued tariffs targeting Canadian and Mexican steel and aluminum. Trade retaliation by Mexico and Canada, because of these tariffs, is estimated to lead to a decline in United States agriculture exports to these trading partners in the range of 1.9 billion dollars. This amount overshadows the agricultural gains estimated under the USMCA which total only $450 million dollars.
EDA continues to support the adoption of other trade agreements which encourage free and fair trade.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Natalie |
Higgins |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code TEC
16. Specific lobbying issues
Significant, long-term investments in our nations infrastructure are critical in order to continue to bring American goods to market in a competitive manner. To that end:
EDA supports President Trumps Legislative Outline for Rebuilding Infrastructure in America. While many of the components of this plan have been advocated by EDA members since 2017, EDA is particularly supportive of establishing a Rural Infrastructure Program ($50 billion) for capital investments in rural infrastructure investments.
As strategic goals are set for the new Congress, EDA and its regional partners encourage you to move quickly to pass bipartisan legislation to strengthen our nations infrastructure, including specific provisions focused on the unique needs of rural communities and agriculture.
EDA Members believe it is critical to ensure that our rural communities have access to: clean and safe drinking water, secure and dependable surface transportation, reliable and affordable power, healthcare, housing, and broadband and research institutions with state-of-the-art facilities in order to thrive and attract future generations.
U.S. farmers and ranchers are the most efficient producers in the world, but their ability to meet domestic demands as well as compete globally depends on robust and reliable transportation infrastructure including roads, inland waterways, ports, and railways. Deteriorating rural infrastructure, however, threatens the competitive leadership of American agriculture.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Executive Office of the President (EOP)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Natalie |
Higgins |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code ROD
16. Specific lobbying issues
Significant, long-term investments in our nations infrastructure are critical in order to continue to bring American goods to market in a competitive manner. To that end:
EDA supports President Trumps Legislative Outline for Rebuilding Infrastructure in America. While many of the components of this plan have been advocated by EDA members since 2017, EDA is particularly supportive of establishing a Rural Infrastructure Program ($50 billion) for capital investments in rural infrastructure investments.
As strategic goals are set for the new Congress, EDA and its regional partners encourage you to move quickly to pass bipartisan legislation to strengthen our nations infrastructure, including specific provisions focused on the unique needs of rural communities and agriculture.
EDA Members believe it is critical to ensure that our rural communities have access to: clean and safe drinking water, secure and dependable surface transportation, reliable and affordable power, healthcare, housing, and broadband and research institutions with state-of-the-art facilities in order to thrive and attract future generations.
U.S. farmers and ranchers are the most efficient producers in the world, but their ability to meet domestic demands as well as compete globally depends on robust and reliable transportation infrastructure including roads, inland waterways, ports, and railways. Deteriorating rural infrastructure, however, threatens the competitive leadership of American agriculture.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Natalie |
Higgins |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code AGR
16. Specific lobbying issues
EDA supports the implementation of trade agreements which level the playing field for U.S. companies who import and export goods. To this end:
EDA supports congressional adoption of the USMCA. (United States, Mexico, Canada Agreement). While far from perfect, this Agreement will ensure that our relationship with our North American Trading partners continues and does not deteriorate further.
EDA opposes the continued tariffs targeting Canadian and Mexican steel and aluminum. Trade retaliation by Mexico and Canada, because of these tariffs, is estimated to lead to a decline in United States agriculture exports to these trading partners in the range of 1.9 billion dollars. This amount overshadows the agricultural gains estimated under the USMCA which total only $450 million dollars.
EDA continues to support the adoption of other trade agreements which encourage free and fair trade.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Natalie |
Higgins |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
Information Update Page - Complete ONLY where registration information has changed.
20. Client new address
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21. Client new principal place of business (if different than line 20)
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22. New General description of client’s business or activities
LOBBYIST UPDATE
23. Name of each previously reported individual who is no longer expected to act as a lobbyist for the client
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ISSUE UPDATE
24. General lobbying issue that no longer pertains
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AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS
25. Add the following affiliated organization(s)
Internet Address:
| Name | Address |
Principal Place of Business (city and state or country) |
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26. Name of each previously reported organization that is no longer affiliated with the registrant or client
| 1 | 2 | 3 |
FOREIGN ENTITIES
27. Add the following foreign entities:
| Name | Address |
Principal place of business (city and state or country) |
Amount of contribution for lobbying activities | Ownership percentage in client | ||||||||||
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28. Name of each previously reported foreign entity that no longer owns, or controls, or is affiliated with the registrant, client or affiliated organization
| 1 | 3 | 5 |
| 2 | 4 | 6 |
CONVICTIONS DISCLOSURE
29. Have any of the lobbyists listed on this report been convicted in a Federal or State Court of an offense involving bribery,
extortion, embezzlement, an illegal kickback, tax evasion, fraud, a conflict of interest, making a false statement, perjury, or money laundering?
| Lobbyist Name | Description of Offense(s) |