Filibuster Busted
Senate Dems drop fast track filibuster, but fight not over. NYT: "A series of trade-related votes will begin Thursday and stretch well into next week ... While the pathway to passage became clearer Wednesday, it is still treacherous. Most Senate Democrats will ultimately oppose the trade promotion bill, and with the stated opposition of Senators Rand Paul of Kentucky and Jeff Sessions of Alabama, both Republicans, there are now louder rumblings on the president’s right flank."
Senate now will vote on currency manipulation bill, but House vote uncertain. TNR: "A bigger unknown is whether the 'fast-track' bill can pass the House. Few House Democrats support it and many tea party Republicans oppose giving the president any additional power. It’s not yet clear if House Speaker John Boehner will allow a vote on the Senate’s currency manipulation bill or if more House Democrats would be inclined to support TPA if they get such a vote."
Sen. Sherrod Brown calls on President Obama to veto fast track if no currency bill. The Hill: "... it’s incredibly unlikely that Obama would veto the fast-track bill he strongly supports ... The currency measure also faces opposition in both the House and among administration officials. Even if the measure passes the Senate, the House could choose to bring up its own customs bill, which doesn't include the Senate's currency measure, and force lawmakers to go to a conference committee to hammer out the differences, dragging out the process."
GOP Moves To Cut Amtrak Despite Crash
House Appropriations Committee votes to cut Amtrak funding hours after fatal derailment. NYT: "... Democratic lawmakers in Washington angrily demanded an increase in Amtrak funding ... Republicans refused ... 'It was beneath you,' Representative Mike Simpson, Republican of Idaho, snapped at a Democratic colleague ... 'It is absolutely stunning to me,' [former PA Gov. Ed] Rendell said of the funding vote. 'It shows that ideology trumps reality, and it shows that cowardice reigns in Washington.'"
Spending on infrastructure has dropped in last five years. NYT: "...only part of the decline stems from the end of the stimulus program ... Such spending now represents about 1.5 percent of total economic activity, down from about 1.8 percent on average from 1993 through 2008 ... Lawrence Summers [says more] infrastructure spending would both make accidents less likely and bring economic benefits."
Wealth Chasm
CEO-to-worker pay ratio reaches obscene heights. McClatchy: "The already astronomical ratio between the pay of CEOs and their workers climbed even higher in 2014, the AFL-CIO said Wednesday in its annual Executive Paywatch report. The ratio jumped to 374-to-one in 2014, up from 331-to-one in 2013, the union report said, noting that back in 1980 it stood at 42-to-one."
LA takes step toward $15 minimum wage. LAT: "The proposal now heads to the entire council, which is expected to decide Tuesday whether to ask City Atty. Mike Feuer to draft an ordinance that would put a series of yearly increases into law."
O'Malley Moves Toward Run
Martin O'Malley to make announcement on presidential bid May 30 reports W. Post.
Reaches out to Warren fans. Politico: "...O’Malley traveled to New York City Monday night for an off-the-record meeting with about 30 progressive influencers and academics ... O’Malley asserted that he would be the best shot progressives have at truly challenging Clinton in a primary."
