K Street Ditches Chinese Clients as Pentagon Ban Kicks

Zachary Parks, an election and political law lawyer at Covington & Burling, was quoted by Politico Influence on the impacts of a new ban—passed as part of last year's defense authorization bill—that prohibits the Pentagon from working with defense contractors represented by lobbyists who also advocate on behalf of companies with ties to the Chinese military. As the ban took effect, lobbying firms moved to terminate their contracts with Chinese companies.

Zack said the ban's impacts would extend beyond K Street. "The statute does not just restrict defense contractors from working with traditional lobbying firms, but from any type of firm that's engaged in 'lobbying activities' for a Chinese military company," Zachary told Politico Influence. "That could include PR firms, or trade associations, or law firms or any sort of consulting shop, even if they're just providing ... behind-the-scenes advice to the Chinese military company."