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Trump Administration to review Obama-era auto fuel standards

Melissa Phillip/Houston Chronicle

Detroit automakers will soon be introduced to the Trump Administration's business-friendly side, when it announces it will reconsider tough fuel-efficiency standards reaffirmed in the waning days of the Obama Administration.

Reuters reports that the Administration will travel to Ypsilanti, Michigan to tout a review of fuel efficiency standards that would have required car companies products to raise the average fuel efficiency of their products to more than 52 miles per gallon in 2020.

Why it matters: Car companies agreed in 2012 to meet such ambitious targets, but that was in a much different political climate and when oil prices were much higher than today. Cheap gas raises demand for more profitable but less efficient trucks and SUVs, and a regulation-skeptical White House raises the potential reward for industry to fight back against higher fuel standards.

Go deeper

Alayna Treene, author of Sneak Peek
38 mins ago - Politics & Policy

McConnell drops filibuster demand, paving way for power-sharing deal

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (R) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell attend a joint session of Congress. Photo: Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has abandoned his demand that Democrats state, in writing, that they would not abandon the legislative filibuster.

Between the lines: McConnell was never going to agree to a 50-50 power sharing deal without putting up a fight over keeping the 60-vote threshold. But the minority leader ultimately caved after it became clear that delaying the organizing resolution was no longer feasible.

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Ashley Gold
2 hours ago - Technology

Scoop: Google won't donate to members of Congress who voted against election results

Sen. Ted Cruz led the group of Republicans who opposed certifying the results. Photo: Stefani Reynolds/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

Google will not make contributions from its political action committee this cycle to any member of Congress who voted against certifying the results of the presidential election, following the deadly Capitol riot.

Why it matters: Several major businesses paused or pulled political donations following the events of Jan. 6, when pro-Trump rioters, riled up by former President Trump, stormed the Capitol on the day it was to certify the election results.

Go deeper (<1 min. read)Arrow
Alayna Treene, author of Sneak Peek
3 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Minority Mitch still setting Senate agenda

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

Chuck Schumer may be majority leader, yet in many ways, Mitch McConnell is still running the Senate show — and his counterpart is about done with it.

Why it matters: McConnell rolled over Democrats unapologetically, and kept tight control over his fellow Republicans, while in the majority. But he's showing equal skill as minority leader, using political jiujitsu to convert a perceived weakness into strength.

Go deeper (2 min. read)Arrow