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Federal Reserve losses contribute to federal deficit

Oct 24, 2023
When the central bank makes money, it hands it to the Treasury. But now it's losing money as it pays interest to banks on their deposits.
The Fed is, among other things, a bank for banks, and it pays interest to those banks. Those interest rates have gone up. Above, the Eccles building, which houses Fed governors' offices.
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Why don't we talk more about revenue when we talk about the U.S. budget deficit?

Oct 23, 2023
The vast majority of federal revenue comes from taxes, and the drop in 2023 revenue was mostly due to a drop in individual income taxes.
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Federal government shutdowns cause economic distress for tribes

Sep 28, 2023
The U.S. government is obligated by treaty to provide certain services to tribal nations. Shutdowns force tribes to take on those costs.

The SNAP work reporting requirement age just rose by one year. It's already affecting who gets benefits.

Sep 11, 2023
The upper age limit for SNAP recipients (able bodied, without dependents) who have to prove they’re working or looking for work at least part time has just risen from age 49 to age 50. Eventually it'll go up to age 54.

What lawmakers are fighting over when they fight about appropriations

Aug 9, 2023
The portion of federal spending being determined by what’s called the appropriations process is relatively small.

Is the Fed actually going to pull off a "soft landing"?

Jun 14, 2023
If the Fed can tamp down inflation without sparking a recession, it would be only the second time in history in U.S. history.

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Bridgewater Associates Founder and Co-Chairman Ray Dalio speaks onstage during TechCrunch Disrupt San Francisco 2019.
Kimberly White/Getty Images for TechCrunch

What the debt ceiling deal means for your student loans

Jun 2, 2023
A debt ceiling deal has been made, and student loan borrowers will have to start making payments again later this summer.