Lumber Association's $890K Lobbying Spend at Forbes Tate

Why It Matters

The Southeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association (SLMA) has spent $890,144 on lobbying over the past four quarters, making it a meaningful client for Forbes Tate Partners LLC. Forbes Tate Partners LLC has a roster of clients including General Atomics at $400,000 in disclosed lobbying expenses and numerous firms spending $240,000 to $360,000 across multiple filings.

Broader Context

The Southeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association lobbied on Farm Bill Reauthorization, the Timber Innovation for Building Rural Communities Act (TIBRC), Defense and Interior Appropriations, and extension of provisions in the Tax Cut and Jobs Act. The House passed the Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567) on April 30, with a vote of 224 to 200, reauthorizing Department of Agriculture programs through fiscal year 2031. Fourteen Democrats and all but three Republicans voted for H.R. 7567. The Timber Innovation Act was reintroduced as a bipartisan, bicameral bill with Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID), Representative Suzan DelBene (WA-01), and Representative Glenn Thompson (PA-05) as sponsors.

The Bottom Line

Forbes Tate Partners LLC's team working on the account included Rich Lopez, a Senior Policy Adviser with prior experience with Rep. Joe Baca (D-CA-43); Ryan Welch, a Partner with prior congressional experience with Sen. Richard C. Shelby (R-AL); Cindy Brown, a Partner with prior service to Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI-3); and Michael Williams, a Partner with prior experience with Sen. Doug Jones (D-AL) and Rep. Lucy McBath (D-GA-6).