Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough

 SPECIAL FRIDAY EDITION

 Weekly Washington Wrap 

• In presidential politics, the week began with Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels declaring he will not run and ended with former Alaska governor, Sarah Palin, announcing she is embarking on an East Coast bus tour which immediately sparked speculation that she is laying the groundwork for a presidential campaign. 
  
  
• In other election news, Democrat Kathy Hochul won a special election Tuesday for New York’s 26^th District.  Democrats portrayed the victory in a heavily Republican district as a backlash against conservative proposals to reform Medicare.  Republicans blamed the defeat on a late entry by a "faux" Tea Party candidate that led to the split of the GOP votes needed to hold the seat.
  
  
• Yesterday, the White House and Republican leaders in the House of Representatives presented competing plans to spur job growth.  The White House released plans by 30 regulatory agencies to slash bureaucratic red tape.  House Republicans unveiled their jobs agenda that calls for a 25% tax rate for corporations and individuals.
  
  
• The House slogged through 152 amendments before passing the Defense Authorization bill last night and will be in session next week after taking Monday off for Memorial Day.  The Senate broke its impasse last night and voted to extend the Patriot Act, with the House quickly following suit and sending the measure to the president.  The Senate is off next week.

On Side With the Oil Sands

We reported to you last week that it was coming, and on Monday South Carolina's Senior Senator, Lindsey Graham, made it official.  The Republican lawmaker reintroduced his bill that would repeal a section of federal energy law that could place unfair restrictions on oil sands crude.

Also on Monday, the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Energy and Power held a hearing on the North American-Made Energy Security Act.  The bill, which was introduced with bipartisan support Monday night by Congressman Lee Terry (R-NE), calls for a permitting decision on the Keystone XL pipeline to be made by November 1, 2011.  In general, Republicans argued in favor of Keystone XL by claiming that it will decrease gas prices, increase energy security, and create jobs.  Democrats mostly focused on the environmental impacts of the oil sands and argued that TransCanada has admitted that Midwest oil prices will rise from Keystone XL.  

Rockin' the Rooftop

On Wednesday, the annual, must-attend Nelson Mullins spring reception was held on our picturesque Washington D.C., office rooftop.  Hundreds of Washington VIPs including members of Congress and their staffs, and officials from every branch of government, attended the soiree at 101 Constitution Avenue.  The party is one of the more popular events every year combining great company with one of the best views in Washington. 

Some of our favorite Canadians enjoyed the evening with us including Randy Pettipas, Susan Bonner, Barry and Laura Peck McLoughlin, as well as Tristan Sanregret and Neelam Chawla from the Alberta Washington Office at the Canadian Embassy in Washington. 

Our Canadian guests mixed and mingled with a bevy of Washington insiders including Senator Lindsey Graham and his House colleagues, Congressmen Joe Wilson, Mick Mulvaney, Trey Gowdy and Jeff Duncan, all from the great state of South Carolina.  Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) was there, as was Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL), Rep. Richard Hanna (R-NY), Rep. Michael Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Rep. Mike Doyle (D-PA), Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY), Rep. Michael Capuano (D-MA), and Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ). 

It was also wonderful to see the State Department's Lew Lukens, CAPP's Tom Huffaker, the former Yemeni ambassador to Canada Dr. Abdullah Nasher, his wife Ilham, and their son, and Carolina Coastal University President Dave DeCenzo and Mark Kelley. 

Enterprising Engagement

The night before the big rooftop bash, David Wilkins was privileged to attend a reception at the beautiful Canadian Embassy (also known for its prime DC real estate) hosted by the Alberta Enterprise Group.  This premier business organization, led by its president, Tim Shipton, decided to make a special night even more memorable by honoring the heroic service of the Canadian Forces – some of whom were in attendance.

It was delightful to catch up with a number of distinguished Canadians including our friends Ambassador Gary Doer and the MP from Edmonton-Leduc, James Rajotte. 

Twofer Turns Three

Through the years, David and Susan Wilkins have opened their Greenville, S.C. home to some pretty grand guests including presidents, members of Congress, Canadian journalists and friends.

But, last Sunday took the birthday cake when the Wilkinses welcomed some 30 preschoolers to their backyard to help celebrate the third birthday of their twin grandchildren, Whit and Clary, along with the twins' proud parents, Robert and Stephanie Wilkins.

Whit, "Big Dave" and Clary celebrate turning three at a backyard bash

Faithful readers recall Whit and Clary were born when David and Susan Wilkins were serving in Ottawa.

Heroes' Holiday

We hope all our friends enjoyed a relaxing and sunshiny Victoria Day (a day Team Wilkins always coveted during our Ottawa stay because it unofficially, at least, ushered in the summer season!)

On Monday, here in the U.S., we will be marking Memorial Day and honoring our fallen heroes.  As always, we here at Team Wilkins remain profoundly grateful for our military – those who have made the ultimate sacrifice – and those serving this day around the globe. 

We also never miss an opportunity to thank Canadian Forces for their gallant fight in conflicts past and present. 

We honor the memory of all those who have fallen and ask God's blessings upon those currently serving.