MNI POLITICAL RISK - Trump Pushes Conservatives To Support CR

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Executive summary:

• The Trump administration announced that automobile imports would be excluded from the 25% tariff that went into effect on Tuesday morning. Some agricultural items like potash and fertilizer may also be considered for carveouts.
• House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is expected to tee up a vote early next week on a Continuing Resolution to extend government funding through September 30.
• The Senate isn’t unified around a plan to make Trump’s 2017 tax cuts permanent by using a budget fudge that would set the cost at $0.
• House Ways and Means Chair Jason Smith (R-MO) warned the US could hit the debt ceiling as soon as mid-May.
• Deficit hawk Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) said he and Elon Musk discussed a massive rescission package.
• Trump's nominee to serve as the Number 2 in the Treasury Department will face the Senate today.
• VA Secretary Doug Collins intends to cut around 70,000 jobs from Veterans Affairs as part of a “department-wide review" requested by DOGE.
• Musk said the Post Office and Amtrak should be targeted for privatisation.
• US and Ukrainian officials offered a cautiously optimistic assessment that a mineral-sharing agreement could be back on track.
• The Trump administration confirmed that it is holding direct talks with Hamas.
• 14:00 ET 19:00 GMT: The State Department will hold its first press conference. 
• Chart of the Day: Some investors are questioning the US' reserve currency status.

Please find the full article attached below: US DAILY BRIEF