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1st Quarter - Report · 2026

Filing UUID
b9bf9186-d628-4676-bd7b-3442e6dfe744
Type
Q1 — 1st Quarter - Report
Period
first_quarter
Year
2026
Posted
2026-04-24 00:25:50
Income (reported)
Expenses (reported)
$20,000
Expenses method
A
Filing document
Open on lda.senate.gov
Registrant (lobbying firm)

MIDDLE EAST FORUM

Contact
BENJAMIN BAIRD
Phone
+1 215-546-5406
Address
zip:19103, city:Philadelphia, state:PA, street:1650 Market Street Suite 3600
Client

MIDDLE EAST FORUM

think tank

State
PA
Country
US
Effective date
2024-05-29
Issues lobbied + lobbyists (5)

FOR — Foreign Relations

HR 3307 -Eastern Mediterranean Gateway Act- supporting 3+1 framework. Promoted new legislation to levy sanctions on countries that host Hamas political leadership. Requested new legislation to close U.S. military bases in Spain unless it reopens airspace and military infrastructure to American armed forces; halts sensitive dual use exports to Iran; and one additional condition, such as sanctioning the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corp or increasing NATO obligations. National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs FY2027: Appropriations requests to support labor strikes in Iran and provide resources to encourage Iranian military/political defections. National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs FY2027: Appropriations request to increase the U.S. Agency for International Development budget to $80 million. National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs FY2027: Appropriations request to improve vetting and transparency to foreign assistance in Gaza and the West Bank. NDAA FY2027 - Supported section to further reduce or eliminate funding to Iraqi military if it continued supported Iran-backed militias; supported more funding for US-Israel partnerships in emerging technologies; opposed efforts to repeal Caesar Act sanctions. NDAA FY2027 - Requested the creation of a Foreign Assistance Inspector General, previously the U.S. Agency for International Development Inspector General, to provide oversight of all foreign aid from federal agencies. Advocated for designations of Muslim Brotherhood factions in several countries. Advocated for the designation of Jamaat-e-Islami factions in Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh.

Lobbyists:
  • mr BENJAMIN SCOTT BAIRD

Government entities lobbied: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Natl Security Council (NSC); SENATE; State, Dept of (DOS); U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)

BUD — Budget/Appropriations

Department of Labor, Health and Human Service, Education, and Related Programs Appropriations Act FY2027: Appropriations request asking to prohibit organizations based on certain conditions, such as terrorism links, participation in illegal student encampments, and foreign influence. Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act FY2027: Appropriations request to prohibit DHS funding to terror-linked and extremist organizations. Identified Department of Health and Human Services grants to extremist organizations, including nonprofits with links to Foreign Terrorist Organizations. Shared with HHS officials, advocated for recissions and debarments. Worked with Congress to advocate for debarments. Consulted with State Department and USAID Office of the Inspector General on debarment of terror-linked organizations. Consulted with the Department of Homeland Security on debarment of terror-linked organizations.

Lobbyists:
  • mr BENJAMIN SCOTT BAIRD

Government entities lobbied: Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; SENATE; State, Dept of (DOS); U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)

HOM — Homeland Security

H.R. 8236 - the Designating Hamas Affiliates in America Act: Assisted in conceptualizing legislation and advocated for co-sponsors for a bill directing the Treasury Department to designate the Council on American-Islamic Relations as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist.

Lobbyists:
  • mr BENJAMIN SCOTT BAIRD

Government entities lobbied: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; SENATE

INT — Intelligence

Defense Appropriations Act FY2027: Appropriations request to prioritize National Intelligence Program resources through the Central Intelligence Agency for Iranian labor strikes and to encourage Iranian military/political defections.

Lobbyists:
  • mr BENJAMIN SCOTT BAIRD

Government entities lobbied: SENATE

DEF — Defense

National Defense Authorization Act FY2027: Authorization request for U.S. Central Command to launch an enhanced information operations and counter-propaganda pilot program.

Lobbyists:
  • mr BENJAMIN SCOTT BAIRD

Government entities lobbied: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; SENATE

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