Weekly Trek: October 23, 2015

Weekly Trek

October 23, 2015

Top Political News

Rep. Paul Ryan officially declared his bid for House speaker Thursday after consolidating the support he needs to be elected by his colleagues next week. Wall Street Journal
11-hour grilling of Clinton reveals little new on Benghazi attacks. Chicago Tribune
Full transcript: Joe Biden not running for president. National Journal
Welcome to CR hell. It looks like a crisis averted. But inside government, a continuing resolution creates a wasteful netherworld all its own. Politico
Trump nears 100 days on top. The Hill
Lincoln Chafee ends quixotic presidential bid. Politico
Jim Webb drops out of the Democratic presidential race. National Journal

Transportation

House panel approves $325B highway bill. The Hill
Truckers again becoming more competitive with rail. Wall Street Journal
Norfolk Southern says it will stop hauling key chemicals on Dec. 1. McClatchy DC
Drone sightings spur legislation to fence them in away from planes. USA Today
Senators raise concerns about proliferation of sole-source ‘bridge contracts’. Washington Post
Reinventing infrastructure: How hard is it? NPR
PTC: Rail angst brews as implementation deadline looms. Progressive Railroading

Energy & Natural Resources

Numerous states prepare lawsuits against Obama’s climate policy. New York Times
The risk of severe wildfires in the West also threatens the region’s increasingly scarce water supply, a new study finds. USA Today
Clock is ticking on bid to block EPA water rule. The Hill
Study: Climate change could shrink global economy 23 percent. National Journal
2015 likely to be hottest year ever recorded. New York Times
Oregon wins $120,000 grant to study economic impact of new timber product on rural counties. Register-Guard

Labor

Moving DoL’s fiduciary standards into the 21st Century: The case of ERISA investing. Brookings
Lawmakers seek federal ‘oversight’ of workers’ comp as states limit benefits. NPR
Labor, pension managers square off over benefits. The Hill

Taxation, Trade, & Defense

Obama uses veto for only fifth time, rejecting defense authorization bill. Washington Post
Commerce Secretary pushes Oregon’s TPP aspects, environmental opponents cry foul. Portland Business Journal
As vote on Export-Import Bank nears, manufacturers assess the damage caused by agency’s lapse. Portland Business Journal
Can Paul Ryan save the defense department from sequestration? Defense One
Export-Import brawl enters upper chamber. The Hill
Icahn launches super PAC with $150 million, biggest one-time injection. Reuters

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