The United States Fund for UNICEF (UNICEF USA) has recently enlisted the services of a new lobbying firm, marking the first time in over twenty years that they have made such a decision. The firm chosen is Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, and they will be lobbying for child welfare initiatives, the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), and federal appropriations on behalf of UNICEF USA. This organization is committed to assisting vulnerable children worldwide, in line with UNICEF’s mission.
One notable member of the lobbying team is former Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, who previously served as chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Ros-Lehtinen expressed her honor in working with UNICEF USA and stated her dedication to promoting its mission and ensuring that children’s rights and well-being remain central in policy discussions. Throughout her thirty-year tenure in Congress, Ros-Lehtinen held influential roles in various subcommittees on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, significantly shaping U.S. foreign policy.
Wendy Coursen, the vice president of public affairs at UNICEF USA, expressed the organization’s partnership with Akin Gump in implementing a public affairs strategy that prioritizes advocacy for policies and resources supporting UNICEF’s global mission. Their ultimate goal is to ensure that every child can experience a healthy, educated, protected, and respected upbringing.
This recent registration with Akin Gump represents the first time since 1999 that UNICEF USA has sought new outside federal lobbying support. It is also notable because it coincides with a decline in the organization’s federal lobbying expenses. In contrast, Edington, Peel & Associates, the firm previously lobbying for UNICEF USA since the turn of the millennium, has seen a rise in funding, receiving $20,000 each quarter from the organization.
Meanwhile, UNICEF USA’s direct federal lobbying expenditures have fallen significantly in the first half of 2023 compared to previous years. In the same period, they spent $130,000 on federal lobbying, significantly lower than the $342,000 spent in the same period over the past decade. It appears that the organization has shifted its lobbying focus, narrowing it down to humanitarian relief and programs related to children’s health, education, and nutrition.
Overall, this move by UNICEF USA to engage a new lobbying firm and the inclusion of influential figures like Ileana Ros-Lehtinen demonstrate their commitment to fulfilling their global mission and advocating for the well-being of children. Despite a decline in federal lobbying spending, the organization remains dedicated to making a positive impact on vulnerable children’s lives through their programs and initiatives.
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