Why It Matters
Ridge Path Strategies LLC filed a Registration Amendment for Oritain USA Inc. on Oct. 21, listing no issue codes and leaving the specific issues section blank. The amendment followed Ridge Path's original registration for Oritain, signed Oct. 15, which listed Defense (DEF) as its issue area and carried a $0 filing amount. Oritain's other current firm is Klein/Johnson Group LLC, whose third-quarter report covers scientific technology products under Science/Technology (SCI) and Homeland Security (HOM) issue codes.
The amendment lists three lobbyists: Brian Diffell, Founder, who served as Legislative Director for Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO); Madison Smith, Principal, who worked for Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Rep. Will Hurd (R-TX-23); and Ngoc Nguyen, Vice President, who worked for Rep. Alan S. Lowenthal (D-CA-47). All three appeared on Ridge Path's third-quarter report and on the original 2025 registration.
By the Numbers
Oritain reported $60,000 in lobbying across its two third-quarter reports: $50,000 from Klein/Johnson Group LLC and $10,000 from Ridge Path Strategies LLC.
Broader Context
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security updated its Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) enforcement strategy in August 2025, naming cotton and cotton products among high-priority sectors and adding copper and lithium, with DHS stating that high-priority designation prompts closer attention and possible further enforcement actions. A bipartisan congressional letter dated Sept. 3 requested a DHS briefing on UFLPA implementation, citing supply-chain tracing challenges involving textiles, cotton, critical minerals and other inputs. The Critical Minerals Partnership Act of 2025 was reported to the Senate and placed on its legislative calendar; the bill would authorize $50 million for the State Department in fiscal year 2026 to enhance supply-chain security. The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol announced in June a physical-assurance program using forensic testing by Oritain to verify U.S. cotton origin, following a successful pilot.
The Bottom Line
Ridge Path Strategies filed an amendment to its Oritain USA registration on October 21, 2026, listing no issue codes or bills, while its third-quarter report on critical minerals supply chain and tracing is already on file, and Ngoc Nguyen, Madison Smith, and Brian Diffell appear on all three filings.
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