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☆ Mitt Romney could face a 'divisive' re-election campaign in 2024 after backing both Trump impeachments and breaking with conservatives
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-21 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Mitt Romney is perhaps the most anti-Trump Republican senator and has often broken with the GOP. Romney voted to convict the former president during both of his impeachments, first on abuse of power charges in 2020 and then incitement of an insurrection in 2021. If Romney chooses to run again, he'll have to explain all of that to Republican primary voters back home. The Utah senator told Insider at the Capitol last month that he had not yet decided whether to run, but was "keeping my options open." In Washington, Romney can count on the backing of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who told Politico that it's "important for the Republican Party and the country" that the Utah Republican seek re-election.

These projects add to $440 million in wildfire mitigation efforts that launched last year using funds from Biden's $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure law. Together, these resources will help protect up to 45 million acres in the western U.S., said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. This includes 134 high-risk areas of land where a wildfire could pose a serious risk to communities and infrastructure. The USDA’s Wildfire Crisis Strategy, published in January 2022, identified 250 of these high-risk “firesheds” across the western states. The USDA’s work will focus on 11 landscapes, areas that were selected based on wildfire risks to nearby communities and buildings.

☆ One more thing for Democrats to fix: the Republican Party
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-13 | by ( Neal Urwitz | Neal Urwitz Is A Public Relations Executive In Washington | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +6 min

And that, ironically, means Democrats must focus on fixing the Republican Party. And the current iteration of the Republican Party would strip away American democracy. Is it someone who is likely to make the Republican Party more or less responsible? Will that Republican Party abide by American laws and American democracy? Democracy will only survive if Democrats have done our part to create a responsible Republican Party.

☆ Explainer: Why weeks of rain in California will not end historic drought
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( Daniel Trotta | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

But the state's water infrastructure, mostly built in the 20th Century when the population was barely half of today's 40 million, is ill-equipped for the new situation. On Dec. 14, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California declared a drought emergency for all 19 million people in the region. Despite a deluge that by one estimate has been expected to dump more than 20 trillion gallons (80 trillion liters), the state's major reservoirs remain well below their historic average. INFRASTRUCTURE DEFICITThe state's infrastructure, largely a network of cement canals, lacks the capacity to capture excess stormwater. Even as the Colorado River basin faces its own drought, and the atmospheric rivers provide no relief, the Colorado River suffers more from overuse than from a lack of precipitation.

☆ Biden makes first trip as president to U.S.-Mexico border as administration imposes restrictions
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-08 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Summer-Concepcion-Byline-Jm.Jpg | Summer Concepcion | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

President Joe Biden traveled to El Paso, Texas, on Sunday to assess enforcement operations at the U.S.-Mexico border — his first trip to the border since taking office — just days after his administration announced new restrictions on asylum seekers amid record numbers of migrants attempting to cross into the U.S. President Joe Biden speaks with Customs and Border Protection police on the Bridge of the Americas border crossing with Mexico in El Paso, Texas, on Sunday. Jim Watson / AFP - Getty ImagesDuring his visit to El Paso, Biden assessed enforcement operations at the Bridge of the Americas Port of Entry — the busiest port in El Paso, which recently received $600 million through the bipartisan infrastructure law. Greg Abbott, who handed the president a letter demanding he take further enforcement actions at the border. After his visit, Biden will travel to Mexico City later on Sunday to attend the North American Leaders' Summit.

☆ Biden, McConnell Kentucky event is a roadmap for White House under new Congress
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-04 | by ( Steve Holland | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/2] U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) speaks during an event to tout the new Brent Spence Bridge over the Ohio River between Covington, Kentucky and Cincinnati, Ohio, near the bridge in Covington, Kentucky, U.S., January 4, 2023. That's the opposite of what the White House thinks voters want. In a stark sign of the Republican divisions that the White House hopes will work to their advantage, Trump endorsed McCarthy on Wednesday morning, while lobbing a racial slur at McConnell's wife. Biden and McConnell were joined by Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio, former Ohio Senator Rob Portman, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. McConnell was among a handful of Republicans who voted for the infrastructure law while many House Republicans including McCarthy opposed it.

The new House GOP majority returns to elect a speaker after failing on three votes Tuesday. ... Nancy Pelosi reacts to GOP dysfunction: “As one who loves this institution, I think it’s a sad day.” ... And President Biden appears with Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell to tout the bipartisan infrastructure law. Andy Beshear) all appear at an event in Kentucky promoting a bridge improvement from the bipartisan infrastructure law. 16: How many years Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has served as Senate GOP leader, making him the longest-serving Senate leader ever, per NBC News’ Frank Thorp. Eyes on 2024: DeSantis takes office amid GOP chaosAs the GOP descended into chaos on Capitol Hill Tuesday, Florida GOP Gov.

McConnell wants to get credit from voters in his home state of Kentucky for the spending project, while Biden wants to highlight the on-the-ground impacts of lawmakers working together. That's the opposite of what the White House thinks voters want. Democrats' unexpected success in the last midterms shows "the American people said very loudly and clearly they wanted us to come together and work for a common ground,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Wednesday. The two will be joined by Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio, former Ohio Senator Rob Portman, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. McConnell, of Kentucky, was among a handful of Republicans who voted for the infrastructure law while many House Republicans including McCarthy opposed it.

☆ Thompson: Expect to see an increase in funding for infrastructure projects this year
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-04 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailThompson: Expect to see an increase in funding for infrastructure projects this yearKathryn Thompson, CEO of Thompson Research Group, discusses which companies may benefit as the Biden administration starts to dole out funding from the president's infrastructure law.

☆ Biden wants Republican-led House to get its 'act together' over leadership
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-04 | by ( Trevor Hunnicutt | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, Jan 4 (Reuters) - President Joe Biden on Wednesday called on lawmakers in the Republican-led House of Representatives to "get their act together," saying the messy battle to determine the chamber's leader reflects poorly on the United States. The fight over who will lead the House after Republicans gained a majority in November's midterm elections entered its second day on Wednesday after the expected frontrunner Kevin McCarthy weathered three failed votes the day prior. "This is not a good look," Biden, a Democrat, said in remarks to reporters at the White House. The White House is eager to portray itself as focused on issues important to voters while House Republicans fight over their leadership. Tuesday marked the first time in 100 years that the House failed to elect a speaker on its first day in session.

☆ Biden says it's 'embarrassing' and 'not my problem' the GOP can't agree on a House speaker
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-04 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Biden said "it's a little embarrassing" House Republicans can't agree on a speaker. This is the first time since 1923 that it has taken multiple ballots to fill the leadership post. Biden's comments come as the House of Representatives remains deadlocked over its inability to agree on a Speaker of the House. Without a speaker, the House cannot perform even the most basic function of swearing in lawmakers, let alone pass legislation. Meanwhile, the House is expected to continue votes on trying to find a speaker.

☆ Biden highlights bipartisanship during House GOP chaos
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-04 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

"To have a Congress that can't function is just embarrassing," Biden said before he left Kentucky to return to Washington. The GOP senator called the bridge an example of bipartisanship that the "country needs to see." "The Brent Spence bridge is one of them. The Brent Spence, which carries Interstates 71 and 75 between Cincinnati and northern Kentucky, was declared functionally obsolete by the Federal Highway Administration in the 1990s. "We're going to get it fixed," Trump said about the Brent Spence, which he called "dangerous."

☆ Jim Cramer's Investing Club meeting Tuesday: 2023 mantra, infrastructure stocks, Apple
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-03 | by ( Krystal Hur | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Every weekday the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer holds a "Morning Meeting" livestream at 10:20 a.m. Stick with the Club's mantra in 2023 Watch infrastructure stocks Wait to buy Apple 1. Watch infrastructure stocks We are bullish on infrastructure stocks going into this year, as we expect spending from the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure law to ramp up. As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER .

☆ Biden to promote U.S. infrastructure spending in bipartisan Kentucky visit
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-02 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] U.S. President Barack Obama speaks in front of the dilapidated Brent Spence Bridge during a visit to Cincinnati, Ohio September 22, 2011. McConnell, of Kentucky, was among the Republicans who voted for the infrastructure law, which was passed in November 2021, while many House Republicans including Representative Kevin McCarthy opposed it. McConnell said last week in a statement that "building a new companion bridge on the Brent Spence Bridge corridor will be one of the bill's crowning accomplishments." Kentucky and Ohio had sought funding for the project for years. Other administration officials including Vice President Kamala Harris will also tout infrastructure awards in other events this week.

The appearance with McConnell, R-Ky., and other regional leaders from both parties Wednesday signals a dual focus for a White House aiming to stay above the political fray in 2023. But the bipartisan infrastructure law will be front and center as the White House says 20,000 new projects funded by the law will be underway in the year ahead. On Thursday, White House infrastructure coordinator Mitch Landrieu will visit San Francisco, one week after outgoing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced that the city’s iconic Golden Gate Bridge will undergo a $400 million retrofit funded by the law. “I’ve never been more optimistic about America in my whole career,” Biden said during an appearance on ABC’s New Year’s Eve special. When asked Friday about whether the 2024 election has come up in discussions this week, Biden quipped: “There’s an election coming up?"

☆ As Infrastructure Windfall Approaches, Transit Agencies Grapple With How to Spend It
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-30 | by ( Ted Mann | Julie Bykowicz | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

BOSTON—Federal money for big transit projects is on its way, and with it a new problem for transit agencies: balancing the need to repair with demands to expand service, while ensuring a windfall doesn’t go to waste. The $1 trillion infrastructure law has raised hopes among the agencies for new railcars, new buses and new lines stretching into underserved communities. But figuring out what to invest in could be harder than ever, with generations of neglect to address and commuter habits warped by the pandemic.

☆ 2022 was the year automakers figured out how to make electric cars really work
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-28 | by ( Alexa St. John | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

It was the year the industry (and other stakeholders) figured out how to make electric cars actually work. Here's a look at what made 2022 so important for the EV space — and why 2023 and beyond will likely be even more significant. Momentum this year showed the EV space just what it needed in terms of charging. But in 2022, EVs accounted for 5% of US new-car sales — what some called a tipping point. But the legacy auto companies weren't exempt from some of these challenges, and some of those problems trickled down to customers.

☆ 7 up-and-coming battery makers vying for the $370 billion electric commercial vehicle business
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-22 | by ( Andrew Moseman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The global electric commercial vehicle market is expected to top $370 billion in annual revenue by 2030. With a flood of new battery-powered autos set to transform the business of building passenger vehicles, it was natural that commercial vehicles would be next. The global electric commercial vehicles market is expected to surpass $370 billion in annual revenue by 2030, according to Guidehouse Insights. It also has its toes deep into electric mobility, building batteries not only for EVs but also electric buses, boats, and trucks. Now, through internal changes and acquisitions, BorgWarner is positioning itself for the electrified future, especially as that future comes to commercial vehicles.

Meanwhile, a sharp slowdown is forecast in Europe because of energy shortages linked to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. A key part of that drive would be ensuring that the Internal Revenue Service was modernized to be able to manage the tax credits and collect the revenues owed. Adeyemo said he had no update on plans to modify the law to address those concerns. U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is due to travel to Senegal, South Africa and Zambia in January. Reporting by Andrea Shalal and Trevor Hunnicutt; Editing by Heather Timmons and Andrea RicciOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Biden administration announces $2.5 billion loan to help GM and LG make EV batteries
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-12 | by ( Ella Nilsen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The US Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office will announce Monday that it is issuing a $2.5 billion loan to help start three lithium battery manufacturing hubs in Ohio, Tennessee and Michigan. The DOE loan programs office will loan the money to Ultium Cells LLC, a joint venture of General Motors and South Korean battery manufacturer LG Energy Solutions making batteries to power electric vehicles. In order to take advantage of a federal EV tax subsidy in the Inflation Reduction Act, electric vehicles and much of their battery components be sourced, processed and assembled in North America. LG Energy Solutions is also set to partner with Japanese automaker Honda on a $3.5 billion joint venture battery factory in southern Ohio. The Warren, Ohio, Ultium facility will be represented by the United Auto Workers, after the plant voted to unionize on Friday.

☆ Democrats losing in rural America because ‘we are very bad at messaging,’ says Sen. Jon Tester
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-11 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Summer-Concepcion-Byline-Jm.Jpg | Summer Concepcion | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +1 min

Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., said Sunday that he thinks his party’s “very bad” messaging cost them support in rural America in the November midterm elections. He also said he doesn’t think Democrats talk about their accomplishments that appeals to rural voters “near enough,” citing the bipartisan infrastructure law that passed Congress last year. “It’s going to help rural America big time, when it comes to broadband and electrical distribution and roads and bridges. “We didn’t talk about it from a rural perspective.”In order for Democrats to get the message out to rural America, Tester said, it needs to be a “concentrated effort” because they have been “very bad” at delivering it thus far. Biden earned his lowest lower numbers among rural voters (29%) and independents (28%).

☆ Electric school buses are giving kids a cleaner, but costlier, ride to class
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-10 | by ( John Rosevear | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Right now, only a tiny fraction of the roughly 480,000 school buses in America are battery-powered. Greener pasturesEnvironmental activists have been working for years to try to replace diesel and gasoline school buses with new electric models. Gander leads the World Resources Institute's Electric School Bus Initiative, a project funded in part by the Bezos Earth Fund established by Amazon's founder, Jeff Bezos. The initiative works with school officials, utility companies and ESB manufacturers to try to accelerate the adoption of zero-emission school buses. A Thomas Built electric school bus in Beverly, Massachusetts.

☆ Kyrsten Sinema leaving the Democratic Party and registering as an independent
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Jeremy Herb | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema is leaving the Democratic Party and registering as a political independent, she told CNN’s Jake Tapper in an exclusive TV interview. While Sanders and King formally caucus with Democrats, Sinema declined to explicitly say that she would do the same. She also brushed aside criticism she may face for the decision to leave the Democratic Party. “Nothing about the last two years indicates a major effort would’ve made helped – the exact opposite actually,” a White House official said. After a vote against filibuster changes in January, the Arizona Democratic Party’s executive board censured Sinema.

☆ White House says it has 'every reason to expect' Kyrsten Sinema will keep working with Biden as she leaves the Democratic party
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Kayla Gallagher | Nicole Gaudiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Arizona Sen. Krysten Sinema announced Friday that she's leaving the Democratic Party to be an independent. The White House said that even with Sinema's party change, it expects to keep working closely with her. A White House spokesperson did not respond when asked whether the White House received advance warning about her decision and whether Biden has spoken with her. As Vice President, Biden was credited with playing an outsized role in persuading then-Sen. Arlen Specter to switch parties from Republican to Democrat in 2009. Sinema told Politico that her departure from the Democratic Party stems from her feeling like she "never really fit into a box of any political party.

☆ Republican lawmakers criticize U.S. grant to battery company with China ties
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File PhotoWASHINGTON, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Two senior Republican lawmakers on Wednesday were highly critical of the decision by the U.S. Energy Department to award $200 million to Microvast Holdings (MVST.O) over the lithium battery company's ties to the Chinese government. In October, Texas-based Microvast won a $20 million U.S. grant from the department to help build a new EV battery components plant in Tennessee. Representative Frank Lucas, top Republican on the House Science Committee, said nearly 80% of Microvast’sassets are in China and 61% of its revenue in 2021 originated in China. In November, Microvast and General Motors (GM.N)said they would work together "to develop specialized EV battery separator technology and build a new separator plant in the U.S., which is expected to create hundreds of new jobs." Over 200 companies applied for $2.8 billion in Energy Department grants and 20 received awards.

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