What’s New?

If you’re still searching for a New Year’s resolution, or just looking to add another, one resolution we can all agree on is gathering around the dinner table more often to communicate. Our philosophy is built on that very purpose of “Breaking Bread and Policy…” as you can read about here. The Sphere Hill House was a hive of activity in its first year. In 2016, we held over 40 fundraisers, raising over $500,000 for candidates. We look forward to an even more successful 2017.  

All is quiet on the Potomac this week, with Members of Congress back home in their districts, President Obama in Hawaii and the members of the Supreme Court off until January 6. Think tanks and trade associations have emptied out as well, and with Christmas and New Year’s Day falling on Sundays this year, little will happen in the capital until at least January 3. TenCount never sleeps, however, so here is your weekly look at events that have fueled speculation about the transition and the coming Trump Administration. President-Elect Donald Trump’s picks for his cabinet and close advisers continue to give encouragement to stock market investors and the business sector generally. By naming Carl Icahn as an adviser on business regulation last week, Trump signaled that regulatory agencies wil ...

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah! It’s likely to be a slow week in Washington, with next to nothing happening after Wednesday. There is less than a month to go in the Obama Administration, plenty of time for the Dow to continue its assault on the 20,000 level. Or will it wait for the Trump Administration? The Electoral College meets Monday, making the results of the November election official. The only thing constant is change, said Heraclitus, the Greek philosopher. He might not have been talking about lobbying, but Bloomberg Government will discuss new opportunities and risks for the lobbying industry given Republican control of Congress and the White House. The Tuesday webinar is titled “Lobbying in the Next Administration: Opportunities for Influence.” Japan gets some love this week, ...

President-elect Donald Trump’s threat of retribution against companies that move jobs out of the U.S. is already having the effect he probably intended: some business leaders are pausing plans to seek foreign addresses. Ross Baldwin, whose San Diego-based firm Tacna helps U.S. companies set up manufacturing operations in Mexico, said three new clients put their plans on hold until they see what Trump does as president. At the McAllen Economic Development Corp., which assists companies seeking to expand across the Mexican border from the Texas city, two of five companies currently considering a move have put the brakes on their plans because of Trump, said Keith Partridge, the development corporation’s chief executive officer. Trump’s Twitter vow that companies shifting jobs out of the U.S. ...

Time for a rate hike! The Federal Open Market Committee, which meets Tuesday and Wednesday, has given every indication that it will raise interest rates for the first time in a year – and only the second time in the last 10 years. It should come as no surprise, but of particular interest will be whether a rate hike will slow down the stock market, which has gained more than 7 percent since Election Day. The Fed announces its verdict at 2 pm Wednesday and Fed Chairwoman Janet Yellen conducts a press conference a half hour later. Trump Trump Trump. This week brings more inquiries into the nature of a Trump Administration, beginning Monday with the Brookings Institution’s “Presidential Leadership in the First Year,” followed Tuesday by a Heritage Foundation discussion with Newt Gingrich on “T ...