Today in One Paragraph
Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders—who picked up the endorsement of former NAACP head Ben Jealous—return to the debate stage. Ben Carson’s campaign said that it will significantly downsize. The White House said that Obama will propose a $10-per-barrel tax on oil in his 2017 budget plan. On the Hill, Senate Democrats blocked a sweeping energy-reform bill after failing to reach an agreement with Republicans on an amendment that would provide federal aid to Flint. Martin Shkreli invoked the Fifth Amendment before a congressional hearing about drug prices. And the four remaining militants occupying a land reserve in Oregon are facing federal charges.
Top News
Party of Two. A day after Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders sparred over the meaning of progressivism at a CNN Democratic presidential town hall, they’re back on stage tonight—this time without Martin O’Malley—at the University of New Hampshire. The debate, which was only confirmed on Wednesday, begins at 9 p.m. ET on MSNBC. Join us for live coverage. (The Atlantic staff)
Taxing Oil. Barack Obama’s final budget proposal as president will include a $10-per-barrel fee that would be paid by oil companies. Though it is likely to fail in the Republican-controlled Congress, the move is part of the White House’s effort to encourage a greater “focus on clean renewable fuels that do not exacerbate climate change.” (Ayesha Rascoe and Roberta Rampton, Reuters)