Welcome to the September edition of A Capitol View.
Shaping the conversation is critical to many advocacy efforts. And that means cutting through the noise to reach those audiences that matter most to secure funding, protect programs, or advance policy priorities.
SMI’s strategic communications practice has expanded our range of services and enlisted a roster of senior advisers with diverse skills to help maximize client reach and impact in the Washington “ideas industry” – including in the media, think tanks, and trade associations that most influence national policy and investments.
The practice, led by SMI VP Bryan Bender, is developing compelling public portfolios to showcase clients’ value propositions and executing messaging campaigns that raise their profile and elevate their system, technology, or policy goals.
Menu, please: We are now offering a more robust menu of tools to educate and convince target audiences in and out of government, including:
· High-impact video, multimedia production, and storytelling
· Digital advertising and targeted outreach
· Website development, content strategy, and search engine optimization (SEO)
· Newsletter production
· Customer and workforce testimonials
· Sponsored content including reported articles, feature stories, and commentaries.
Dream team: We’ve also recruited a top-notch group of communicators and multimedia experts to support our clients:
· Geralyn Lucas is a former journalist, TV producer and author. She was the producer for ABC News’s 20/20 and executive director of public affairs programming at the Lifetime Television cable network. She is a leading booker and press agent for a range of clients, including celebrities and nonprofits.
· Andrew Koch brings nearly 20 years of experience leading communications, media relations, and brand marketing campaigns. An internationally recognized defense and national security expert, he was previously Washington Bureau Chief for Jane’s Defence Weekly and his work has appeared in the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, CNN, BBC, and NPR.
· Alex Dundas is an award-winning writer and content strategist with experience across multiple media platforms, including podcasts and video, as well as speechwriting, social media, and op-eds. He specializes in clients in the A.I., hospitality, health care, technology, and finance sectors. He is a former producer for ABC News, Al Jazeera America, E!, PBS, Fox Sports, The Food Network, and Animal Planet.
· Sarah Adler is a former award-winning health and medical reporter and producer and strategic communications and public relations professional. She was a producer for ABC News’s Medical Unit, Discovery Health, Lifetime, and the Food Network. Sarah was also a feature writer and columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle. She has led biotech, digital health, and hospitality communications teams for CEOs and global enterprises.
· Mike Kepka is an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and director with two decades of experience as a photojournalist and visual columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle. He specializes in video production, branded campaigns, political commercials, and documentaries.
· JD Schlough brings more than two decades of experience developing digital strategies for corporations ranging from retail to defense, federal agencies, national and statewide election and issue advocacy campaigns, and nonprofits. He specializes in bespoke digital media, communications, and data integration solutions.
To learn more about how we can elevate your story and maximize the success of your DC strategy, reach out to SMI VP Bryan Bender at bender@strategicmi.com.
ICYMI: Accelerating Space Innovation: SMI interviews Space Development Agency Director Derek Tournear
And check out SMI’s YouTube page for more of our newsmaker events.
BUDGET
CR SEASON: It’s that time of year to kick the can on the federal budget – and that’s exactly what Congress is poised to do once again.
The legislative branch is expected to miss the Oct. 1 deadline to pass the dozen annual appropriations bills to fund executive branch agencies. To prevent a government shutdown, it will have to pass a temporary continuing resolution that will lock in funding levels for the current fiscal year. That means agencies won’t be able to start new programs without approved exceptions, known as anomalies.
Not-so-short term: But how far down the road will they kick the can? Republican House Speaker Rep. Mike Johnson is proposing a six-month stop gap bill, but that is already facing fierce resistance, including among some in his own party.
Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said it would be “devastating to our readiness and ability to execute the National Defense Strategy,” urging Congress to buy just a little more time to pass annual appropriations during the lame-duck session right after the November election.
Digging in: Meanwhile, President Biden has threatened to veto a six-month CR. “This continuing resolution would place agencies at insufficiently low levels — both for defense and nondefense accounts — for a full six months, rather than providing a short-term stopgap to provide the Congress more time to work on full-year bills,” the White House Office of Management and Budget said in a statement.
DEFENSE
‘BUILD CONFIDENCE’: Velo3D, a leader in metal 3D printing technology, has inked a new agreement with the National Institute for Aviation Research (NAIR) at Wichita State University, which will leverage the company’s additive manufacturing solutions to produce next-generation airframes.
The research institute, which is dedicated to driving innovation in aeronautical applications with a $350 million annual budget, has purchased one of the SMI client’s Sapphire 1MZ printers. It will be configured to produce parts in Inconel 718, a durable nickel-based alloy extensively used in aerospace applications and provides high corrosion, oxidation, and creep resistance at extreme temperatures.
Why it matters: “Qualifying 3D printed parts for production use is a massive challenge and something that has greatly impeded broad adoption of additive manufacturing for commercial aviation applications,” said Brad Kreger, Velo3D CEO. ”The work NIAR will conduct will not only be invaluable to their organization, but the entire industry. We’re proud to be a part of this effort.”
“By leveraging Velo3D’s solution to better understand the nuisances within the additive manufacturing process, we can help build confidence in 3D printed parts, thereby accelerating adoption of this advanced manufacturing technology,” said Lauren Tubesing, business development lead for advanced manufacturing at the National Institute for Aviation Research.
Velo3D’s solution is unique in the metal additive manufacturing industry because it leverages both hardware and software to provide customers with a fully integrated solution.
The news comes on the heels of Velo’s development of a prototype 3D printed scramjet engine.
Read more: Metal 3D Printer Provider Velo3D Demonstrates Production Of One-Piece Hypersonic Engine.
DOMESTIC MANUFACTURING
WESTWARD EXPANSION: The United States Footwear Manufacturers Association will be hitting the road later this month to hold its Fall Meeting for the first time in Los Angeles, where it will showcase the city’s increasingly vibrant footwear design and production ecosystem.
LA is home to some of the most innovative footwear companies that are pioneering new and more sustainable manufacturing techniques and fostering a new generation of skilled workers. such as KX Inc., COMUNITYmade, INC, and Lalaland Production & Design.
On the agenda: The membership meeting, to be held in advance of National Manufacturing Day on Oct. 4, will bring together government and industry leaders for two days of site visits and discussions on an aggressive national policy and trade agenda to take the domestic footwear industry to the next level.
A featured speaker will also be Rep. Jimmy Gomez, a prominent member of the House Ways & Means Committee and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Gomez is well-positioned to offer valuable insights on legislation critical to growing our industry and strengthening our supply chains.
The domestic footwear industry has made significant strides in recent years. Through innovation and targeted investments, it is building a more robust supply chain for yarns, fabrics, and foams that are also essential for medical devices and protective equipment. But significant global competition remains from China and other foreign producers.
Legislative push: Recently, USFMA joined a coalition of domestic manufacturers in calling on Congress to pass legislation requiring all military personnel be equipped with U.S.-produced footwear.
The House version of the FY25 National Defense Authorization Act includes the bipartisan Better Outfitting Our Troops, or BOOTS, Act. The BOOTS Act is aimed at halting the sale of foreign and poorly made footwear on military installations despite existing restrictions on foreign gear enshrined in the Berry Amendment.
By the numbers: The growing trend, resulting in over 750,000 pairs of foreign-made boots being sold to Army and Air Force personnel each year, has further undermined the domestic footwear industrial base and its ability to outfit the military.
The House bill would require the Department of Defense to issue regulations that ensure all boots are Berry Amendment-compliant and meet the highest quality and performance standards. This would bring the Army and Air Force in line with the regulations governing the Navy and the Marine Corps.
‘Close this loophole’: “This legislation is long overdue if we are going to close this loophole that undermines the Berry Amendment and erodes our capacity to outfit our men and women in uniform with the best, American-made gear possible,” said SMI CEO and USFMA Executive Director Bill McCann.
The coalition wrote a letter urging the bipartisan leadership of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees to ensure that the provision is included in the final NDAA later this year when the House and Senate agree on a compromise version of the annual defense policy bill.
ENERGY
A NEW WAVE: The Department of Energy announced earlier this month it is investing $430 million to upgrade existing hydropower projects across the United States, including several spearheaded by SMI clients who are in line to receive tens of millions of dollars.
Overall, 293 hydropower projects across 33 states were selected to receive funding to support capital improvements for dam safety, grid reliability, and environmental performance. They are being financed by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which included a provision on “Maintaining and Enhancing Hydroelectricity Incentives.”
SMI Vice President Jeff Leahey supported the work to establish and implement the program and assisted several clients in the application process. He will also be involved in upcoming negotiations with DOE’s Grid Deployment Office to administer the programs.
Why it matters: Hydropower currently accounts for nearly 27% of renewable electricity generation in the United States, according to DOE. But many facilities are in need of repair and upgrade.
“As our earliest form of renewable energy generation, hydropower has reliably kept America running for almost 150 years,” said Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm. She added that the new funding “will expand and modernize our hydropower fleet, while protecting thousands of American jobs.”
WATER WORKS: SMI was also pleased to see that its clients in the hydropower sector, including Florida Atlantic University and Oregon State University, are among the recipients of $41 million in investment in R&D and testing from the Department of Energy’s Water Power Technologies Office.
‘Output and efficiency’: Among the university-led National Marine Energy Centers to secure funding is the Pacific Marine Energy Center, which includes Oregon State, the University of Washington, and the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The team of universities will develop a real-time wave prediction tool “that can help maximize the power output and efficiency of wave energy converters.”
Also selected for funding was the Southeast National Marine Renewable Energy Center led by Florida Atlantic University. Researchers there will simulate and quantify how much power could be captured from ocean currents and develop ocean current prediction tools and develop a 3D tool to improve power production forecasting for future deployments of devices.
CONVENING POWER: SMI also hosted a reception for Hill staffers and reps from federal agencies on behalf of the National Energy Resources Organization and the American Association of Blacks in Energy.
The event, timed for Congress’ return from recess, included remarks from AABE President and CEO Ralph Cleveland, and Jason Reynolds, vice president of federal infrastructure policy for Entergy and an AABE board member.
SMI’s own Jeff Leahey is chair of the board of directors for NERO.
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