Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) has asked Northpoint Technology to release the names of all of its investors, as well as lobbyists who stand to gain if legislation is passed that gives the company millions of dollars in wireless licenses. [IMGCAP(1)]

Three of Northpoint’s lobbyists, including former Rep. Bob Livingston (R-La.), have been offered the right to purchase a share in a Northpoint affiliate if the company succeeds this year. 

In a letter to the startup wireless cable firm, McCain asks the company to identify which lobbyists have the offer and to disclose the “details of any other arrangements with individuals representing Northpoint who stand to gain financially from the success of your lobbying efforts.”

Arboretum Action. Lawmakers called on the Agriculture Department to step up public outreach efforts and generate greater private-sector support for the National Arboretum at an Agriculture subcommittee hearing Tuesday.

Tuckie Westfall, chairman of Friends of the National Arboretum, called the department “ambivalent” when it comes to raising awareness, and said it hampers procurement of private-sector funds.

Dr. Rodney Brown said the department is in the process of renewing a memorandum of understanding with FONA that would help “solve the very problems [we] are talking about.”

Chairman Gil Gutknecht (R-Minn.) and ranking member Cal Dooley (D-Calif.) said legislation is not needed now, but warned it could be revisited if a satisfactory resolution was not forthcoming.

Speedy Delivery. The House Administration Committee will hold instructional briefings on new guidelines for courier-delivered packages Friday.

Beginning Oct. 27, House offices will be able to receive hand-delivered items through the Congressional Courier Acceptance Site. Mail delivery has been restricted since October 2001, when anthrax-laced letters were mailed to several Hill offices.

Briefings, held in the 1310 Longworth, are set for 10 a.m. for administrative and support offices, 2 p.m. for personal staff.

— Brody Mullins, Bree Hocking and Jennifer Yachnin