The Daily Digest: Pipeline politics
Good morning!
In Minnesota
Gov. Mark Dayton says more oil pipelines are part of the solution to a rail backlog that has clogged agricultural shipments across Minnesota. (MPR News)
Speaking of pipelines, a group called Energy Citizens is canvassing Minnesota voters by phone, urging them to ask Sen. Amy Klobuchar to back approval of the Keystone XL pipeline. The Senate will vote on the pipeline today. (MPR News)
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Long-time Republican operative Ben Golnik will serve as Executive Director for the Minnesota House Republican Caucus. (MPR News)
The executive director of Minnesota's health insurance exchange says a mostly problem-free weekend rollout netted more than 500 enrollees. (AP via Pioneer Press)
Former 3rd District Congressman Bill Frenzel has died at age 86. (MPR News)
National Politics
President Obama’s expected action lifting the threat of deportation from millions of undocumented immigrants, which could come as early as this week, will expand the authority of the executive branch into murky, uncharted territory. (Washington Post)
With the health insurance marketplace now open for a second year, President Obama will be depending more than ever on the insurance companies that five years ago he accused of padding profits and canceling coverage for the sick. It's a relationship that has evolved into a powerful, mutually beneficial partnership. (New York Times)
Meanwhile, the Republican Congress is getting ready to ramp up the Obamacare hearings, firing up enough investigations to keep Obama administration officials visiting hearing rooms on both sides of the Capitol for the next two years. (Politico)
The new GOP-controlled Congress also gives Vice President Joe Biden another chance to take center stage as a deal maker based on his decades-long relationship with incoming Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. (Roll Call)