From this morning's Earlybird:

• "Lobbyists for farm and small-business groups are pushing for a broader exemption to the estate tax bill that would benefit most of their members," The Hill reports. "The American Farm Bureau Federation and the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), two powerful trade associations, were both quick to endorse legislation introduced by Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-Nev.) on Thursday that would increase the exemption under the estate tax as well as lower the tax rate."

• "Advertising and marketing industry lobbyists are urging the House Energy and Commerce Committee to slow fast-moving legislation that would create a Consumer Financial Protection Agency out of concern that the measure would create confusion among regulators and harm business interests," CongressDailyAM (subscription) reports.

• "The nation's preeminent seniors group, AARP, has put the weight of its 40 million members behind health-care reform, saying many of the proposals will lower costs and increase the quality of care for older Americans," the Washington Post reports. "But not advertised in this lobbying campaign have been the group's substantial earnings from insurance royalties and the potential benefits that could come its way from many of the reform proposals."