The Man Behind the Byline Isn't Behind the Article. So, Who Is?

After a victory in the form of the recently passed housing bill, will the anti-Fannie-and-Freddie coalition FM Policy Focus decide its work is done? (By David Zalubowski -- Associated Press)

Along with House's Hogan & Hartson, other FM lobbyists included Patton Boggs, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, BGR Holding and Podesta Group.

FM Policy Focus is chaired by former congressman J.C. Watts Jr. (R-Okla.). Its members, all of which have a beef of one kind of another with Fannie and Freddie, include the Financial Services Roundtable, which represents 100 of the nation's largest financial services companies, and the Mortgage Insurance Companies of America.

So, now that it's won, what's the future of FM Policy Focus? House won't say, but most observers foresee an end to one of Washington's most unlikely lobbying victors.

Hire of the Week

The lobbying firm co-founded by former congressman Norman F. Lent (R-N.Y.) -- Lent Scrivner & Roth -- will soon be gone.

Three senior professionals from Lent Scrivner & Roth said last week that they will join Dow Lohnes Government Strategies. Two of them were Michael S. Scriv ner and Norman F. Lent III, son of the former congressman. Their departure follows the announcement in May that Alan J. Roth was heading over to be an executive at the U.S. Telecom Association.

"Lent Scrivner & Roth will be winding down as of July 31, and three of their people will be moving over to Dow Lohnes Government Strategies on Aug. 1," Stephanie Stadler, a spokeswoman for Dow Lohnes, said by e-mail. Former representative Lent, she added, has lately "played a small role in the firm's day-to-day activities and with this announcement he will be completely retired."

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