Joe Lieberman better have buttered up Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) fairly thoroughly, because he’s certainly not courting Bernie Sanders.

That said, Lieberman has supported Sanders’ third amendment, a modest change to the bill requiring the auto industry to meet the CAFE standards — 35 mpg — passed by the Senate this year.

This amendment, gratefully, has passed.

Grist thanks its sponsors. Become one.