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Posted by Keturah Hetrick on April 18, 2022 The United Nations has condemned the Judge Rotenberg Center for torture, thanks to its ongoing use of electroshock on disabled children and adults. Now, Rep. Pete King (R-N.Y.) has registered as a first-time lobbyist for the Massachusetts facility. King is working for the center through law firm Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, where he works as special counsel. The JRC is a day and residential school for those with autism, developmental disabilities and "emotional [disturbances]," according to its website. The UN Special Rapporteur on Torture reported in 2013 that the JRC's use of electroshock violated the UN Convention Against Torture and called for an investigation into the practices. Although the Food and Drug Administration tried to ban the practice in 2020, the Washington D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the ban last summer and ruled that the JRC could continue to shock its residents. The JRC "is believed to be the only school in the world that routinely inflicts high-powered electric shocks as a form of punishment on vulnerable children and adults," the Guardian reported in 2018. King, alongside ex-Rep. and veteran lobbyist Bill Delahunt (D-Mass.), is lobbying the House on the center's behalf. They're working on education appropriations and unspecified "education and [health-care] policy related to people with disabilities," according to a pair of recent disclosures. King retired from Congress at the end of last term, making him newly eligible to lobby the House under ethics rules. Some people and organizations who "caught our eye" last week:- Demetric Mercadel, District Offices Director, Rep. Troy Carter (D-LA) (current staffer) – Uh oh!
Paying the piper - Lisa Wiggins, Caseworker, Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-NC) (current staffer) – Bravo!
Pushing back - Gregg Elias, Democratic Counsel, Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee (former staffer), and Scott Weaver, Chief of Staff, Rep. Katherine Harris (R-FL) (former staffer) – Bravo!
Going their own way
Hill Departures - Abbey Donaldson, formerly Deputy Press Secretary/Digital Director to Rep. Susan Wild (D-PA)
(now Public Affairs Associate at SKDKnickerbocker) - Claire Bienvenu, formerly Scheduler to Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA)
(now Executive Assistant for Strategy at Cystic Fibrosis Foundation) - Reid Dagul, formerly Senior Legislative Assistant to Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-CA)
(now Government Affairs Director at the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association)
Hill Moves and Promotions - Taylor Doggett, now Communications Director for Rep. David Price (D-NC)
(formerly Press Secretary)
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Top hashtags of the week
- #passover – (168 mentions)
- #bidenflation – (130 mentions)
- #easter – (112 mentions)
- #taxday – (106 mentions)
- #goodfriday – (81 mentions)
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