May 24, 2019

Top News

• $19.1 billion in nationwide disaster aid stalls after single House Republican objects.
• Theresa May to Step Down as U.K. Prime Minister.
• Trump approves sending more forces to the Middle East amid tensions with Iran
• House Democratic Caucus Isn’t on Path to Impeachment, Pelosi Says.
• Trump gives Barr power to declassify intelligence related to Russia probe
• Assange Indicted Under Espionage Act, Raising First Amendment Issues.
• Senate Republicans permanently ban earmarks
• The nation’s cartoonists on the week in politics

Energy, Natural Resources, & Agriculture

• States aren’t waiting for the Trump administration on environmental protections
• White House Announces $16 Billion In Aid To Farmers Hurt By China Trade Dispute.
• Floods Swamp U.S. Farm Belt

Indian Affairs

• In Tribe v. State Cases, Supreme Court Shifts Support to Native Americans
• Oregon Tribes Are Alarmed by Senators’ Plan to Remove the Tax Deduction for Gambling Losses
• State Attorney General announces free, prior and informed consent policy with Washington tribes.
• High Court Upholds Crow Tribe’s Hunting Rights

Labor

• NLRB Moves Quietly to Reverse Pro-Worker Arbitration Rule.
• ‘Corporate Preemption’ Is Making It Harder for Cities to Protect Workers.
• Uber’s IPO fallout underscores the need for a new labor model

Taxation, Trade, & Defense

• Why a Tax the U.S. Hasn’t Embraced Has Found Favor in Much of the World
• House Passes Bill Making Big Changes to U.S. Retirement System
• U.S., China exchange barbs over Huawei as trade tensions flare
• White House, Democrats in Talks to End Holdup on USMCA Approval

Technology

• ITF 2019 – U.S. Secretary of Transportation talks regulations on futuristic transport technology.
• SAE International to form microbility data standards consortium
• Self-driving trucks begin mail delivery test for U.S. Postal Service
• Sen. Wicker: Commerce Committee’s Agenda to Include Autonomous Vehicle Policy
• U.S. Tech Suppliers, Including Google, Restrict Dealings With Huawei After Trump Order

Transportation & Infrastructure

• Infrastructure Talks Between Trump and Democrats Crumble.
• House Funding Leaders Easily Advance Fiscal 2020 Transportation Bill
• FRA withdraws proposed train-crew staffing rule.
• Oregon lawmaker introduces bill to raise gas tax, eventually linking it to inflation
• California sues Trump administration for canceling high-speed rail funds.
• Legislation Would Restore the Tax Break for Bonds Used to Refinance State and Local Debt
• Has Seattle Found the Solution to Driving Alone to Work?