Axios

Rep. Linda Sánchez (D-Calif.) is actively working to elect Monica Sánchez to Congress, backing her over former Rep. Hilda Solis — a onetime colleague from her early years in the House.

Why it matters: The 12-term Sánchez chairs BOLD PAC, the political arm of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, giving her endorsement outsized influence in Latino political circles, not to mention Southern California.

White House science and technology adviser Michael Kratsios said on Wednesday at Axios' AI+DC Summit that the Trump administration can be bullish on AI innovation and still address the public's growing fears about the technology.

Why it matters: Kratsios is the White House's point person translating Trump's AI executive orders into actual policy.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled unanimously in favor of Cox Communications, setting a historic precedent that internet service providers are not liable for copyright infringement if they fail to disconnect customers who have been accused of pirating music.

Why it matters: The decision has major implications for the $17.7 billion U.S. recorded music industry, absolving ISPs of responsibility for pirated music.

The U.S. Army updated its enlistment regulation to include an existing policy set in 2023 as the country remains at war with Iran and as President Trump has been threatening military action worldwide.

Why it matters: The Army Regulation 601-210 guidelines increase the maximum age for enlistment while also giving Americans charged with marijuana crimes more chances for eligibility.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wanted to call on Iranians to flood the streets to protest their government last week, but President Trump told him it was just too risky, two U.S. officials and an Israeli source said.

• "Why the hell should we tell people to take to the streets when they'll just get mowed down," Trump said to Netanyahu during their call, according to a U.S. official briefed on the conversation.

Why it matters: The U.S. and Israel agree on most of the military objectives of the war, but the outlooks differ on the question of regime change in Iran and the amount of chaos and bloodshed that's acceptable to try to bring it about.

Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) said on Wednesday at Axios' AI+DC Summit that placing a moratorium on the construction of AI data centers would be "idiocy," adding that it would grant China an edge in the race to dominate artificial intelligence.

Why it matters: Warner's comments come the same day that Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) unveiled legislation to pause all new data center construction nationwide until AI safeguards are in place.

Humanity is undergoing a "transformation" in the AI era, Meta President Dina Powell McCormick said Wednesday at Axios' AI+DC Summit.

Why it matters: But the key word, she says, is "humanity." In a period of rapidly evolving innovation that has massive implications for the workforce and world, tech can't lose the guiding "soul" behind it.

The U.S. will need a "whole new workforce" within the next two years to be competitive in the AI race, Meta President Dina Powell McCormick said Wednesday at Axios' AI+DC Summit.

Why it matters: She says half a million electricians will be necessary to build the vast infrastructure needed in the U.S. alone.

HOUSTON — EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said Wednesday the Trump administration is expanding sales of higher-ethanol gasoline this summer as it seeks to ease concerns over rising gas prices.

Why it matters: Gas with a high ethanol content, known as E15 because its content is up to 15 percent ethanol, is generally restricted in summer because it evaporates easily in the heat and causes air pollution.

More than 450 TSA agents have quit in the nearly six weeks since the partial government shutdown began, resulting in the "highest wait times in TSA history," a top Department of Homeland Security official told a House committee Wednesday.

Why it matters: The resignations represent a small fraction of the 50,000 or so TSA agents who screen passengers, but the departures — combined with workers' absences — are fueling security line delays nationwide.