Nat'l Restaurant Assn. Spent $840K On 2Q Lobbying

WASHINGTON (AP) — The National Restaurant Association spent $840,000 in the second quarter to lobby on food safety, seasonal workers and other issues, according to a recent disclosure report.

The trade group that represents restaurant companies like Ruby Tuesday Inc. and California Pizza Kitchen Inc., also lobbied the federal government on legislation related the federal stimulus effort, health insurance provisions, food safety and inspection measures, immigration issues, health savings accounts, workplace safety regulation, family and medical leave and credit card fees.

In the April-June period, the organization lobbied Congress, the Treasury Department, Internal Revenue Service, Food and Drug Administration, Department of Homeland Security, Agriculture Department, Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Management and Budget, Environmental Protection Agency, Energy Department, Education Department and Federal Trade Commission.

Dan Roehl, the former director of the USDA's congressional relations office, and Chris Raymond, who held various positions with lawmakers and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, were among those registered to lobby for the group, according to the report filed July 20 with the House clerk's office.