Made contacts to promote bipartisan support for federal corrections reforms. In particular, discussed S. 1783, the Federal Prison Reform Act of 2013. In addition, discussed targeted sentencing reforms to the federal criminal justice system, which might attract bipartisan support. And then made contacts in support of compromise legislation offered as a substitute to S. 1675, the Recidivism Reduction and Public Safety Act.
Duration: January 1, 2008
to
May 14, 2014
General Issues: Law Enforcement/Crime/Criminal Justice
Spending: about $145,000 (But it's complicated. Here's why.)
It can be tricky to figure out how much an organization spent on a particular lobbying engagement. The law only requires lobbyists to report the amount they were paid for federal lobbying each quarter rounded to the nearest $10,000—and if it's less than $3,000 in a given quarter (or less than $13,000 for organizations with in-house lobbyists), they don't have to disclose it at all. Plus, some organizations include spending that doesn’t belong in the report—for instance, money spent lobbying state governments or other legal work.
Agencies lobbied since 2008: U.S. Senate, House of Representatives, White House Office
Lobbyists
Lobbyists named here were listed on a filing related to this lobbying engagement. They may not be working on it now. Occasionally, a single lobbyist whose name is spelled two different ways on filings may be represented twice here.
Lobbyist
Covered positions?
Greg Mitchell
Chief of Staff, Congressman James E. Rogan (R-CA)
Chief of Staff, Congressman James E. Rogan (CA)
Brian Pierce
n/a
Disclosures Filed
Once a lobbying engagement begins, the lobbyist or firm is required to file updates four times a year. Those updates sometimes change which lobbyists are involved or add new issues being discussed. When lobbyists stop working for a client, the firm is also supposed to file a report disclosing the end of the relationship.
2nd Quarter, 2014
The Mitchell Firm, Inc. terminated an engagement in which they represented Open Society Policy Center on July 21, 2014.
Original Filing: 300665718.xml
1st Quarter, 2014
In Q1, The Mitchell Firm, Inc. lobbied for Open Society Policy Center , earning $10,000. The report was filed on April 21, 2014.
Original Filing: 300644376.xml
Lobbying Issues
Made contacts to promote bipartisan support for federal corrections reforms. In particular, discussed S. 1783, the Federal Prison Reform Act of 2013. In addition, discussed targeted sentencing reforms to the federal criminal justice system, which might attract bipartisan support. And then made contacts in support of compromise legislation offered as a substitute to S. 1675, the Recidivism Reduction and Public Safety Act.
Type of Issue
Law Enforcement/Crime/Criminal Justice
4th Quarter, 2013
In Q4, The Mitchell Firm, Inc. lobbied for Open Society Policy Center , earning $20,000. The report was filed on Jan. 21, 2014.
Original Filing: 300623545.xml
Lobbying Issues
Made contacts to promote bipartisan support for federal corrections reforms. In particular, discussed H.R. 2656, the Public Safety Enhancement Act of 2013. Also discussed S. 1783, the Federal Prison Reform Act of 2013. Finally, discussed where there might be bipartisan support for targeted sentencing reforms to the federal criminal justice system.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. House of Representatives U.S. Senate
Type of Issue
Law Enforcement/Crime/Criminal Justice
3rd Quarter, 2013
In Q3, The Mitchell Firm, Inc. lobbied for Open Society Policy Center , earning $20,000. The report was filed on Oct. 21, 2013.
Original Filing: 300604033.xml
Lobbying Issues
Made contacts to see if there might be support for a package of federal corrections reforms, which would include some thoughtful sentencing reforms and H.R. 2656, the Public Safety Enhancement Act of 2013, a bill to enhance public safety by improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the federal prison system with offender risk assessment, individual risk reduction incentives and rewards, and risk and recidivism reduction.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. House of Representatives U.S. Senate
Type of Issue
Law Enforcement/Crime/Criminal Justice
2nd Quarter, 2013
In Q2, The Mitchell Firm, Inc. lobbied for Open Society Policy Center , earning $20,000. The report was filed on July 22, 2013.
Original Filing: 300583114.xml
Lobbying Issues
Made contacts to continue to learn views on proposed sentencing reforms, including a bill to add a new "safety valve" for federal mandatory minimum sentences, and give judges greater flexibility to impose individualized and proportionate sentences in more federal cases. Also made contacts to discuss a proposal to establish a Fair Sentencing Act (FSA) Review Board to review individual cases and consider relief for prisoners serving time under the pre-FSA 100:1 crack-cocaine sentencing disparity.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. House of Representatives U.S. Senate
Type of Issue
Law Enforcement/Crime/Criminal Justice
1st Quarter, 2013
The Mitchell Firm, Inc. filed a lobbying registration on April 21, 2013 to represent Open Society Policy Center, effective March 1, 2013.
Original Filing: 300562690.xml
Issue(s) they said they’d lobby about: Federal criminal justice reforms designed to reduce the federal prison population and recidivism rates in the United States. .
1st Quarter, 2013
The Mitchell Firm, Inc. filed a lobbying registration on April 21, 2013 to represent Open Society Policy Center, effective March 1, 2013.
Original Filing: 300562952.xml
Issue(s) they said they’d lobby about: Federal criminal justice reforms designed to reduce the federal prison population and recidivism rates in the United States. .
1st Quarter, 2013
In Q1, The Mitchell Firm, Inc. lobbied for Open Society Policy Center , earning $10,000. The report was filed on April 22, 2013.
Original Filing: 300563081.xml
Lobbying Issues
Made contacts to learn views on proposed sentencing reforms, including a bill to add a new "safety valve" for federal mandatory minimum sentences, and give judges greater flexibility to impose individualized and proportionate sentences in more federal cases. Also made contacts to discuss a proposal to establish a Fair Sentencing Act (FSA) Review Board to review individual cases and consider relief for prisoners serving time under the pre-FSA 100:1 crack-cocaine sentencing disparity.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. House of Representatives U.S. Senate White House Office
Type of Issue
Law Enforcement/Crime/Criminal Justice
2nd Quarter, 2009
The Mitchell Firm, Inc. terminated an engagement in which they represented Open Society Policy Center on July 20, 2009.
Original Filing: 300191938.xml
Lobbying Issues
Worked with other members of an informal coalition to lobby for the introduction of new legislation to reduce the federal sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine offenses.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. House of Representatives White House Office
Type of Issue
Law Enforcement/Crime/Criminal Justice
1st Quarter, 2009
In Q1, The Mitchell Firm, Inc. lobbied for Open Society Policy Center . The report was filed on April 30, 2009.
Original Filing: 300168027.xml
Lobbying Issues
Worked with other members of an informal coalition to lobby for the introduction of new legislation to reduce the federal sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine offenses.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. House of Representatives U.S. Senate
Type of Issue
Law Enforcement/Crime/Criminal Justice
4th Quarter, 2008
In Q4, The Mitchell Firm, Inc. lobbied for Open Society Policy Center , earning $15,000. The report was filed on Jan. 21, 2009.
Original Filing: 300133750.xml
Lobbying Issues
Worked with other members of an informal prisoner reentry working group to lobby for federal funding for the grant programs that were authorized by HR 1593/Public Law 110-199, the Second Chance Act of 2007: Community Safety Through Recidivism Prevention. The law reauthorized the grant program for reentry of offenders into the community in the Omnibus Crime Control and
Safe Streets Act of 1968, and authorized new programs to improve reentry planning and implementation, and for other purposes.Worked with other members of an informal coalition to lobby for the introduction of new legislation to reduce the federal sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine offenses.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. House of Representatives U.S. Senate
Type of Issue
Law Enforcement/Crime/Criminal Justice
3rd Quarter, 2008
In Q3, The Mitchell Firm, Inc. lobbied for Open Society Policy Center , earning $15,000. The report was filed on Oct. 20, 2008.
Original Filing: 300105229.xml
Lobbying Issues
HR 1593/Public Law 110-199. Second Chance Act of 2007: Community Safety Through Recidivism Prevention. To reauthorize the grant program for reentry of offenders into the community in the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, to improve reentry planning and implementation, and for other purposes. Worked with other members of an informal prisoner reentry working group to lobby for appropriations for the reauthorized reentry grant program, and for a newly authorized mentoring grant program.S 1383, S 1685 & S 1711:
S 1383 is a bill to reduce the disparity in punishment between crack and powder cocaine offenses, and to more broadly focus the punishment for drug offenders on the seriousness of the offense and the culpability of the offender. S 1685 is a bill to reduce the sentencing disparity between powder and crack cocaine violations, and to provide increased emphasis on aggravating factors relating to the seriousness of the offense and the culpability of the offender. S 1711 is a bill to target cocaine kingpins and address sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine. Worked with other members of an informal coalition to lobby for a committee mark-up in the Senate, and for introduction of similar bipartisan legislation in the House.
HR 4109. Lobbied for revisions to sections of this bill, which will modify the Prison Litigation Reform Act of 1996 in order to make adjustments to fix unintended consequences. While the original intent was to eliminate the filing of frivilous lawsuits by prisoners, it is also barring many meritorius claims of rights abuses from making it into federal courts for redress. I urged members of the House to develop bipartisan language that would allow for movement toward a committee mark-up.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. House of Representatives U.S. Senate
Type of Issue
Law Enforcement/Crime/Criminal Justice
2nd Quarter, 2008
In Q2, The Mitchell Firm, Inc. lobbied for Open Society Policy Center , earning $15,000. The report was filed on July 21, 2008.
Original Filing: 300082516.xml
Lobbying Issues
HR 1593 & S 1060. The Second Chance Act of 2007: Community Safety Through Recidivism Reduction. Sections to reauthorize the grant program for reentry of offenders into the community in the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, to improve reentry planning and implementation, substance abuse treatment, and education programs for prisoners; and to authorize a grant program for mentoring prisoners as part of reentry programs. Worked with other members of an informal prisoner reentry workinggroup to lobby for appropriations for the reauthorized reentry grant program, and for the newly authorized mentoring grant program.
S 1383, S 1685 & S 1711. S 1383 is a bill to reduce the disparity in punishment between crack and powder cocaine offenses, and to more broadly focus the punishment for drug offenders on the seriousness of the offense and the culpability of the offender. S 1685 is a bill to reduce the sentencing disparity between powder and crack cocaine violations, and to provide increased emphasis on aggravating factors relating to the seriousness of the offense and the culpability of the offender. S 1711 is a bill to target cocaine kingpins and address sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine. Worked with other members of an informal coalition to lobby for the introduction of bipartisan legislation on the same issue in the House.
HR 4109. Sections of the bill that will modify the Prison Litigation Reform Act of 1996 in order to make adjustments to fix unintended consequences. While the original intent was to eliminate the filing of frivilous lawsuits by prisoners, it is also barring many meritorius claims of rights abuses from making it into federal courts for redress. Urged members of the House to develop bipartisan language and move toward a committee mark-up.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. House of Representatives U.S. Senate
Type of Issue
Law Enforcement/Crime/Criminal Justice
1st Quarter, 2008
In Q1, The Mitchell Firm, Inc. lobbied for Open Society Policy Center , earning $10,000. The report was filed on April 21, 2008.
Original Filing: 300050838.xml
Lobbying Issues
HR 1593 & S 1060. The Second Chance Act of 2007: Community Safety Through Recidivism Reduction. Sections to reauthorize the grant program for reentry of offenders into the community in the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, to improve reentry planning and implementation, substance abuse treatment, and education programs for prisoners; and to authorize a grant program for mentoring prisoners as part of reentry programs. Worked with other members of an informal prisoner reentry workinggroup to urge actions to pass one of these bills in the Senate. Once the bill passed, urged actions in the House and Senate to get appropriations for the reauthorized reentry grant program, and for the newly authorized mentoring grant program.
S 1383, S 1685 & S 1711. S 1383 is a bill to reduce the disparity in punishment between crack and powder cocaine offenses, and to more broadly focus the punishment for drug offenders on the seriousness of the offense and the culpability of the offender. S 1685 is a bill to reduce the sentencing disparity between powder and crack cocaine violations, and to provide increased emphasis on aggravating factors relating to the seriousness of the offense and the culpability of the offender. S 1711 is a bill to target cocaine kingpins and address sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine. Worked with other members of an informal coalition to urge for movement toward a committee mark-up. Urged members of the House to introduce bipartisan legislation on the same issue.
HR 4109. Sections of the bill that will modify the Prison Litigation Reform Act of 1996 in order to make adjustments to fix its unintended consequences. While the original intent was to eliminate the filing of frivilous lawsuits by prisoners, it is also barring many meritorius claims of rights abuses from making it into federal courts for redress. Urged members of the House to hold a hearing, develop bipartisan language and move toward a committee mark-up.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. House of Representatives U.S. Senate
Type of Issue
Law Enforcement/Crime/Criminal Justice
Source: Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives and Secretary of the Senate