What Can Washington Do for Mark Zuckerberg?

Times have changed since the Facebook CEO first visited DC in 2010--now, he has a lot more power.

When Mark Zuckerberg talks with Atlantic editor in chief James Bennet in an interview at the Newseum in Washington, he’ll be speaking as a newly minted DC insider. Earlier this year, he co-founded the lobbying organization, FWD.us, dedicated to promoting “policies to keep the United States and its citizens competitive in a global economy.” So far, that has mostly meant immigration reform, although the group’s stated goals also include improving education and increasing the funding available for scientific research. The organization has retained at least two DC lobbying firms and run ad campaigns for Republican senators who needed political cover at home so they could cooperate in bipartisan immigration reform in Washington. In doing so, Zuckerberg is positioning himself as a leader on these issues, using as leverage Silicon Valley’s cash, his own celebrity, and a long list of tech notables who have backed FWD.us. He will meet with top congressional Republicans and Democrats, including House Speaker John Boehner, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. The group is slated to discuss immigration reform. Prospects for passage in the House have dimmed, but Zuckerberg is clearly trying to keep the issue alive.