Louder than words: Amid appeals for bipartisanship, President Barack Obama in just three days has provoked Republicans on issues as disparate as immigration, Wall Street and the Keystone XL pipeline—a combative mix of defense and offense that underscores Washington’s political realignment. As The Associated Press reports, such aggressive activism delights the president’s supporters but irritates the Republicans who now control both chambers of Congress. Read the full story.
Back and forth: Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen came under fire today from House Republicans, who challenged the central bank’s lack of accountability during her second day of testimony to Congress. The Associated Press reports that after Yellen gave her semi-annual economic report, GOP lawmakers on the House Financial Services Committee grilled her with a basket of complaints and accused her of being unduly influenced by Democrats. Yellen, who was nominated by President Barack Obama, rejected those suggestions and staunchly defended the Fed’s independence. Read the full story.
Taking aim: A Houston pipeline company became the envy of the energy industry last year when it found a way around the decades-old legal ban on exporting U.S. oil. But now, The Wall Street Journal reports several oil companies have turned on Enterprise Products Partners LP, complaining it is trying to dominate the lucrative export business and muscle out competitors. Companies including BP have complained to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, which is investigating, according to people familiar with the matter. Read the full story (subscription may be required).
