The Hill newspaper released its annual list of Washington, D.C.’s top lobbyists, naming NWRA Chief Counsel & Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Jim Riley to its 2020 list for the second year in a row. “2020 was a chaotic year for K Street, with the coronavirus pandemic and lobbying battles for COVID-19 relief legislation consuming much of the year,” wrote The Hill. “The presidential and congressional elections also kept lobbyists busy while they tried to find ways to network under the new normal of virtual work.
“In a busy and challenging year for the influence world, these are the people who wielded their clout and knowledge most effectively for their clients.
“The list highlights the broad range of talents needed to achieve success in the influence industry. But all of the people [on the list] are key players on K Street—and the ones the nation’s biggest companies, labor unions and associations turn to when they want their voices heard in the nation’s capital.
“The ranks of policy experts and influencers run deep in Washington, but these are the people who stand out for delivering results for their clients in the halls of Congress and in the administration.”
Riley was recognized for his successful efforts on behalf of the waste and recycling industry to be designated by the Department of Homeland Security as part of the “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce” in the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s guidance in five separate categories; working to get the industry priority access to personal protective equipment due to its limited availability as a result of panic buying by the public; successfully lobbying to have House and Senate legislation introduced to permit recipients of forgivable Paycheck Protection Program loans to use those funds for waste and recycling collection services; advancing the cause of suspending the Federal Excise Tax on heavy vehicles to help spur manufacturing and sales during pandemic; and engaging in more than 200 virtual meetings with congressional staff and members of Congress advocating for the waste and recycling industry on these COVID-19 issues.
“Over the past three years, NWRA has spent extensive time and resources in hiring the absolute best talent in the government relations arena. Jim’s recognition by The Hill is well-deserved, and we are proud of his efforts on behalf of the industry,” said NWRA President and CEO Darrell Smith.