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TOP HEADLINES
Trump pulls US out of Trans-Pacific Partnership:
President Donald Trump officially pulled the U.S. out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a 12-nation trade pact that the Obama administration spent years orchestrating in order to give the U.S. a new leadership role among Pacific Rim countries [Agri-Pulse].
Sonny Perdue: From little league to the big leagues:
President Donald Trump last week tapped the 70-year-old to be U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. Essentially, that makes him the face of rural America [Atlanta Journal-Constitution].
TRADE
Withdrawal from Trans-Pacific Partnership shifts U.S. role in global economy:
President Trump’s cancellation Monday of an agreement for a sweeping trade deal with Asia began recasting America’s role in the global economy, leaving an opening for other countries to flex their muscles [Washington Post].
Mexico targets free trade with U.S. and Canada, other pacts:
Mexico will fight for free trade with NAFTA partners Canada and the United States in talks with the new U.S. government, as well as seek bilateral trade deals with other nations, President Enrique Pena Nieto said on Monday [Reuters].
CONGRESS
Senate Democrats to unveil $1 trillion infrastructure plan:
Daring Mr. Trump to make good on his grand infrastructure promises, Senate Democrats on Tuesday will unveil a trillion-dollar plan to rebuild the nation’s roads, railways, airports, waterways and sewer systems over 10 years [New York Times].
Meet Trump’s secret weapon on infrastructure:
Chao, a former Labor secretary who is married to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and is expected to easily win confirmation, will be tasked with overseeing Trump’s promised $1 trillion rebuilding package [The Hill].
Senate committee postpones Zinke, Perry votes:
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee has postponed a hearing to vote on two Trump nominees [The Hill].
REGULATORY
Trump administration tells EPA to freeze all grants, contracts:
The Trump administration has instructed officials at the Environmental Protection Agency to freeze its grants and contracts, a move that could affect everything from state-led climate research to localized efforts to improve air and water quality to environmental justice projects aimed at helping poor communities [Washington Post].
Endangered Species Act: Get ready for big changes, GOP says:
The Endangered Species Act may soon be, well, endangered. As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, Republicans are reportedly getting ready to roll back the influence of the Endangered Species Act after contending for years that the law curbs economic development under the guise of conservation [Christian Science Monitor].
