Ben Wolfgang
Articles by Ben Wolfgang
EPA locks in fuel economy standards through 2025, calls for 36 miles per gallon
Just days before President Obama leaves office, his Environmental Protection Agency on Friday finalized fuel economy standards that call on cars and light trucks to get an average of 36 miles per gallon by 2025. Published January 13, 2017
Jackie Speier: Presidential election ‘was rigged’
A Democratic lawmaker said Friday the November presidential election "was rigged" in favor of Donald Trump, suggesting that Russia played a key role in the president-elect's win. Published January 13, 2017
Hillary Clinton former spokesman questions ‘legitimacy’ of Donald Trump victory
Citing Russia's meddling and a new watchdog investigation into the actions of the FBI heading into the November election, former Hillary Clinton campaign press secretary Brian Fallon on Friday openly questioned the "legitimacy" of President-elect Donald Trump's victory. Published January 13, 2017
Tim Ryan: If Obamacare repealed, Democrats should work with GOP on replacement
A prominent Democratic congressman said Friday that lawmakers have an obligation to ensure their constituents have health care coverage, and he vowed to work with Republicans on replacing Obamacare if the law is soon repealed. Published January 13, 2017
David Shulkin tapped by Donald Trump to lead Veterans Affairs department
Choosing continuity with the Obama administration at one of the government's most troubled agencies, President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday tapped David Shulkin to be head of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Published January 11, 2017
Donald Trump EPA pick Scott Pruitt decried by environmental lobby
Environmentalists this week are trying to rally Democrats in opposition to President-elect Donald Trump's energy team, but they're facing an uphill battle with both lawmakers on Capitol Hill and the American public. Published January 10, 2017
Donald Trump urged to establish ‘boundaries’ with Vladimir Putin, Russia
Just weeks before he takes office, President-elect Donald Trump is under fire from both sides of the aisle for his perceived soft stance toward the Kremlin, with key lawmakers urging him to take a harder line and establish "boundaries" against Russian President Vladimir Putin. Published January 1, 2017
Tom Cotton, Arkansas senator, urges Donald Trump to take tougher line on Russia
Tom Cotton on Sunday urged Donald Trump to take a firmer stance on Russia, saying Moscow needs a new set of "boundaries" in the global order. Published January 1, 2017
Rep. Darrell Issa: Joe Biden must ‘stay engaged’ after leaving office
A top Republican in Congress hopes the vice president sticks around and works to facilitate deals between the two political parties. Published January 1, 2017
Sean Spicer, incoming White House spokesman:Trump’s Twitter ‘freaks the mainstream media out’
Donald Trump's use of Twitter to have a direct conversation with the American people "freaks the mainstream media out," the incoming White House press secretary said Sunday morning. Published January 1, 2017
Charlie Crist, Florida Democrat: ‘God would be pleased’ with Trump’s shift on Dreamers
Rep. Charlie Crist of Florida believes God is happy with the president-elect's apparent change of heart on so-called Dreamers. Published January 1, 2017
Donald Trump’s promise to revive coal industry will be tough to keep after Obama assault
Of all of his campaign promises, President-elect Donald Trump's vow to resuscitate the struggling U.S. coal industry may prove the most difficult to keep. Published December 29, 2016
Donald Trump’s WWE wrestling ties helped hone political persona
From hosting two WrestleManias, taking a "Stone Cold Stunner" in front of tens of thousands of fans and now bringing Linda McMahon into his Cabinet, Donald Trump's relationship with professional wrestling dates back 30 years -- and analysts say the president-elect's close ties to WWE helped him hone his boisterous, over-the-top political persona. Published December 28, 2016
Obama claims another 1.6 million Western acres as national monuments
In yet another shot at the incoming Trump administration, President Obama on Wednesday designated about 1.6 million acres of Western land as national monuments, cordoning off the massive areas from energy development while vowing that his successor can't reverse his actions. Published December 28, 2016
Harry Reid’s retirement may revive Yucca Mountain nuclear waste storage plan
The retirement of Sen. Harry Reid may give new life to a project he's made a career out of opposing. Published December 27, 2016
Harry Reid’s retirement may revive Yucca Mountain nuclear waste storage plan
The retirement of Sen. Harry Reid may give new life to a project he's made a career out of opposing. Published December 27, 2016
Republican attorneys general eager to dismantle Obama climate agenda under Donald Trump
As soon as President-elect Donald Trump assumes office Jan. 20, Republican attorneys general who have spent the past eight years battling the Obama administration's climate change agenda will have a new role: supporting the Republican president's complex legal effort to roll back that agenda. Published December 26, 2016
Obama moves to block Donald Trump, bans offshore drilling in federal waters
Vowing that his successor won't be able to reverse his actions, President Obama on Tuesday used executive authority to permanently ban new offshore drilling in federally owned waters off the Atlantic coast and in the Arctic Ocean. Published December 20, 2016
Obama rushes out 11th-hour regulations targeting coal mining
At the eleventh hour, the Obama administration on Monday rolled out regulations to crack down on coal mining across the country, a parting shot against the beleaguered industry as the president leaves office. Published December 19, 2016
Donald Trump taps Rep. Ryan Zinke to head Interior Department
President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday officially tapped Rep. Ryan Zinke of Montana to head the Interior Department, finalizing a team that will be tasked with rolling back much of President Obama's environmental agenda. Published December 15, 2016