Why It Matters

Freedom Holding Corp. is lobbying to normalize U.S. trade relations with Kazakhstan—specifically advancing the US-Kazakhstan Trade Modernization Act (HR 1024) to grant Permanent Normal Trade Relations status. The company also seeks support for developing Kazakhstan’s critical minerals sector.

Freedom Holding faces Cold War-era trade restrictions which limit economic opportunity. Removing those restrictions would reduce tariffs, facilitate capital flows, and legitimize Kazakhstan as a strategic U.S. partner—directly benefiting the company’s financial services operations there. The timing reflects shrewd positioning, as Congress already supports these goals through bipartisan legislation driven by concerns about countering Russian and Chinese influence and securing diverse critical mineral supply chains.

By the Numbers

Freedom Holding Corp. paid Mayer Brown LLP $90,000 in fourth quarter 2025, continuing a focused lobbying strategy that began in 2024. The company has spent $900,000 across 11 total filings, with $780,000 directed to Mayer Brown and $120,000 to Chartwell Strategy Group LLC.

Freedom Holding deployed two registered lobbyists this quarter:

  • Jessica Sue Woolley: Former House staffer with congressional experience under Democratic members including Reps. Dave Obey and Melissa Bean. She has lobbied since 2008 on financial services, trade, and international issues for clients including Discover Financial Services and Coca-Cola.

  • Matthew C. Bernstein: Veteran lobbyist with 21 years in government relations, emphasizing financial services regulation, international relations, and defense—including work for Citizens Financial Group and Raytheon.

The company’s advocacy has remained stable across three pillars: strengthening U.S.-Kazakhstan trade relations, general financial services matters, and critical minerals development support.

The Agenda

Freedom Holding Corp. is lobbying on three interconnected issues: strengthening U.S.-Kazakhstan trade relations, advancing financial services cooperation, and promoting critical minerals development in Kazakhstan.

The company’s primary legislative target is the US-Kazakhstan Trade Modernization Act (HR 1024), which would grant Kazakhstan permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) status by repealing Cold War-era Jackson-Vanik restrictions. Freedom Holding is also advocating on general financial services matters and supporting critical minerals development in Kazakhstan. This aligns with broader U.S. strategic interest in diversifying mineral supply chains away from Chinese dominance.

The lobbying occurs within an exceptionally favorable congressional environment. Bipartisan House members including Reps. Panetta (D-CA) and Aderholt (R-AL) reintroduced HR 1024, and senators led by Risch (R-ID), Shaheen (D-NH), Daines (R-MT), and Murphy (D-CT) introduced identical legislation. Members have explicitly cited countering Russian and Chinese influence and securing access to Kazakhstan’s uranium, lithium, and rare earth resources as justifications.

Broader Context

Freedom Holding’s lobbying unfolds amid U.S. foreign policy realignment toward Central Asia, driven by securing critical mineral supply chains outside Chinese control and countering Russian influence.

Congress has advanced multiple bills—including the STRATEGIC Minerals Act (S.429) and Critical Minerals Partnership Act of 2025 (S.2550)—aimed at diversifying mineral supply chains. Kazakhstan holds vast reserves of uranium, lithium, tungsten, and rare earths, making it strategically valuable as an alternative to Chinese-dominated sources.

Trade normalization with Kazakhstan has achieved bipartisan momentum, with members explicitly citing the need to counter Russian and Chinese influence.

Between The Lines

Congress is actively advancing legislation directly aligned with Freedom Holding’s priorities. The US-Kazakhstan Trade Modernization Act (HR 1024) has secured bipartisan co-sponsorship, while senators including Risch, Shaheen, Daines, and Murphy introduced companion legislation explicitly citing counterbalancing Russian and Chinese influence.

Congressional support extends beyond legislation. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) directly questioned a State Department nominee about Kazakhstan’s mineral wealth, characterizing it as vital to U.S. national security. The House Kazakhstan Caucus has actively engaged with Kazakh officials advocating for Jackson-Vanik repeal.

A Senate resolution (S.Res.459) passed unanimously, honoring the C5+1 diplomatic platform and signaling broad institutional support for enhanced Central Asia engagement.

Competitive Landscape

Other actors are actively engaged on the same legislative issues, indicating broader coalition support for Kazakhstan normalization. The legislative record for HR 1024 shows lobbying activity from Chevron USA Inc. and Lincoln National Corp., indicating major energy and financial sector players share Freedom Holding’s interest.

On related critical minerals legislation, organizations like the Zero Emission Transportation Association are also engaged, broadening support beyond traditional foreign policy actors to include clean energy stakeholders.

The Bottom Line

Freedom Holding’s $90,000 fouth quarter 2025 investment targets a policy environment already moving in its favor. The company is advocating for PNTR status for Kazakhstan, critical minerals partnerships, and financial services cooperation—all subjects with demonstrated bipartisan congressional support. With a team including lobbyists with House experience and financial services expertise, Freedom Holding is positioned to influence legislation that members from both parties are actively advancing. The advocacy aligns with broader U.S. geopolitical interests in countering Chinese and Russian influence in Central Asia, making the company’s policy goals compatible with congressional priorities.

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