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So what exactly is in the infrastructure bill?

Nov 8, 2021
And how exactly does it address the biggest challenges facing this economy?
President Joe Biden speaks Saturday, after the House passed the bipartisan infrastructure bill. It invests in climate-friendly transportation and addresses equity for marginalized communities, among other issues.
Samuel Corum via Getty Images

When will we see the economic impact of new infrastructure spending?

Nov 8, 2021
There are shorter- and longer-term projects in Biden's $1 trillion plan. State and local governments will influence how it’s spent.
President Biden's $1 trillion plan invests in long-term infrastructure change, although state and local officials will have plenty of say in how the money is spent.
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds via Getty Images

Paid family leave would be a paradigm shift for many workers

Oct 26, 2021
Even when the benefit is available, many Americans hesitate to use it. It's included in the Democrats' social-spending bill.
Though the Democrats' paid family leave proposal has been reduced from 12 weeks to four, it would still be a major change for Americans.
hobo_018 via Getty Images

Housing advocates fight to maintain place in social-spending bill

Oct 25, 2021
Advocates had high hopes for the $320 billion initially included for housing, but the plan’s funding is being cut during negotiations.
President Joe Biden promotes his Build Back Better agenda in New Jersey on Monday. His plan to expand the nation's social safety net is being pared back by congressional negotiators.
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

Biden administration squeaks open door to tariff exemptions

Oct 11, 2021
Some companies that won exemptions from levies on Chinese goods in the past will be able to apply for relief again.
President Joe Biden at the White House. The administration is reopening the application process for companies seeking to avoid paying tariffs on certain goods imported from China.
Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

Biden administration restoring climate-impact rules that could delay infrastructure plans

Oct 7, 2021
The Trump administration had rolled them back, delighting industry and worrying environmentalists.
The Biden administration will be restoring a requirement for infrastructure projects to be evaluated for their climate impact. Above, a crew resurfaces a road in June in Alhambra, California.
Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

U.S. will press China to stick to its trade agreement

Oct 4, 2021
U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai did not offer new strategies but a more pragmatic approach.
U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai outlined the importance of building U.S. competitiveness while speaking at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Above, a woman adjusts the Chinese flag at Beijing's Diaoyutai State Guest House in 2014.
Feng Li via Getty Images

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Will easing international travel restrictions bring back foreign tourists?

Sep 21, 2021
For one sightseeing business, the future still looks very uncertain.
A traveler arrives at London's Heathrow Airport in August 2021. The U.S. may soon be lifting restrictions for vaccinated international travelers.
Tolga Akmen/AFP via Getty Images

Some low-income families may not be receiving child tax credit money

Sep 17, 2021
By one estimate, some 4 million children and their families may be missing out on the payments.
A student carries home free bagged meals as part of Stamford, Connecticut's COVID response in March 2020. Funds from the child tax credit may not be making it to low-income families, a new study shows.
John Moore via Getty Images

Government support credited with decline in poverty in 2020

Sep 14, 2021
The Census Bureau's supplemental poverty measure showed a big decline from 2019, despite a year of pandemic-induced economic disruption.
Pandemic relief helped more Americans stay out of poverty in 2020, but future poverty rates depend on what happens with the pandemic economy.
Alex Wong via Getty Images