Hunter Bates Quoted by Media on K Street Performance in Midterm Election Year
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G. Hunter Bates, co-head of Akin Gump’s public law and policy practice, was quoted by Roll Call on the effect that the midterm election year is having on K Street.
“Contrary to popular perception that not much happens in an election year, we are seeing a very busy Congress in 2018,” said Bates, a former chief of staff to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. He noted that lawmakers on both sides of Capitol Hill are working out differences in several appropriations measures that could be signed into law by September 30.
“No one would’ve predicted there would be that much legislative activity in 2018 when everyone was predicting paralysis and partisanship,” Bates added, noting, “We’re seeing an enormous amount of activity in the trade space, both on the lobbying and regulatory side. The big question is whether the president can cut deals that allow the tariffs to be lifted or eased or whether Congress is forced to engage.”
Speaking with Law360, Bates also pointed to the addition of some “phenomenal talent to the group during the first half of the year,” and said he is “very excited” moving into the election season.
