India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Netanyahu to Meet Trump in Washington as Iran Nuclear Talks Intensify 
Pentagon Ends Military Education Programs With Harvard University 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Japan Election 2026: Sanae Takaichi Poised for Landslide Win Despite Record Snowfall 
Missouri Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Challenging Starbucks’ Diversity and Inclusion Policies 
U.S. to Begin Paying UN Dues as Financial Crisis Spurs Push for Reforms 
TrumpRx.gov Highlights GLP-1 Drug Discounts but Offers Limited Savings for Most Americans 
U.S. Announces Additional $6 Million in Humanitarian Aid to Cuba Amid Oil Sanctions and Fuel Shortages 
Trump Backs Nexstar–Tegna Merger Amid Shifting U.S. Media Landscape 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Trump Signs “America First Arms Transfer Strategy” to Prioritize U.S. Weapons Sales 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Ohio Man Indicted for Alleged Threat Against Vice President JD Vance, Faces Additional Federal Charges 
Federal Judge Restores Funding for Gateway Rail Tunnel Project 
Norway Opens Corruption Probe Into Former PM and Nobel Committee Chair Thorbjoern Jagland Over Epstein Links 
Following the passage of the American Rescue Plan, Democrats in Congress and the Biden administration are looking to pass a massive infrastructure package, much to the opposition of the Republicans. Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi expressed her opposition to using an increased gas tax as a way to fund the massive infrastructure package.
Speaking to the press at the Capitol, Pelosi echoed the opinions of members of her party on increasing the gas tax to fund infrastructure as it is one of the possible provisions of US President Joe Biden’s proposal to tackle infrastructure. Pelosi said she opposes the possible provision, which was suggested by a bipartisan group of Senators. The group suggested increasing the gas tax that was last raised in 1993, and the law that raised the gas tax did not provide an inflationary increase.
Despite Pelosi’s and other liberal Democrats’ opposition, increasing the gas tax also has its pros. The increase would encourage automobile manufacturers to prioritize vehicles that are more fuel-efficient while discouraging driving overall. This would reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming.
However, the downside of the gas tax hike is that it would affect low and middle-income drivers. Liberal Democrats, regarding the current infrastructure proposal, rejected the possible provision to help cover infrastructure projects.
“I don’t think that...America’s working families should be footing the bill for roads and bridges and the rest that America’s wealthiest people and their businesses are using without paying for them,” said the California Democrat. “So I’m not in for expanding the gas tax.” Pelosi also rejected the suggestion of transferring funding from the American Rescue Plan’s $1.9 trillion budget.
Meanwhile, Pelosi recently praised the Supreme Court’s decision to continue upholding the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, after a third challenge by Republicans in GOP-led states. With a 7-2 ruling, this struck down concerns that a mostly conservative Supreme Court bench would rule in favor of Republicans to dismantle the law.
“Today’s Supreme Court decision is a landmark victory for Democrats’ work to defend protections for people with preexisting conditions,” said Pelosi following the ruling.
