Delta spent $580K to lobby against US Airways' hostile bid

<p>Delta Air Lines Inc. spent $580,000 in first half of 2007 lobbying the federal government to oppose US Airways Group Inc.'s proposed $9.8 billion hostile takeover bid.</p><p>US Airways, which first announced the bid last November, had said a combined company would be more efficient and offer lower fares. But Delta, which was in bankruptcy at the time, said the offer was anticompetitive and a combined company would result in thousands of layoffs.</p><p>Several lawmakers opposed the bid, including Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss, and Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., who said they were concerned a combined company would mean service cutbacks, especially in small communities.</p><p>US Airways withdrew its offer in late January after Delta's official creditors committee rejected it.</p><p>The lobbying firm Quinn Gillespie & Associates' agreement with Atlanta-based Delta was terminated on Feb. 15, according to a disclosure form posted online Aug. 14 by the Senate's public records office.</p><p>In addition to Congress, the firm lobbied the White House and Transportation Department.</p><p>Among those registered to lobby on behalf of Delta were: Kevin Kayes, who most recently served as chief counsel to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.; Allison Giles, who served as chief of staff to the House Ways and Means Committee under then Chairman Bill Thomas, R-Calif.; Elizabeth Hogan, who worked as a special assistant at the Commerce Department; and Christopher McCannell, who was chief of staff to Rep. Joseph Crowley, D-N.Y.</p><p>Under a federal law enacted in 1995, lobbyists are required to disclose activities that could influence members of the executive and legislative branches. They must register with Congress within 45 days of being hired or engaging in lobbying.</p>