With a shutdown averted, federal agencies face budget constraints — and inefficiency

Oct 1, 2021
Because lawmakers couldn’t agree on a series of spending bills before Oct. 1, agencies keep running on last year’s budget.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi signs a bill at the Capitol on Sept. 30 to fund the U.S. government and avoid a federal shutdown.
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What will happen if the U.S. blows through the debt limit?

Sep 27, 2021
The economy would be in uncharted — and dangerous — territory.
Pay and hours are at the core of the unionization efforts.
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The debt ceiling explained

Sep 24, 2021
If Congress fails to raise or suspend the debt limit, it won’t cause a government shutdown. But it could mean a failure to pay Social Security benefits and federal salaries. 
Storm clouds gather near the U.S. Capitol on Sep. 22, in Washington, D.C.
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Congress weighs getting tough on Big Tech

Jun 22, 2021
The House Judiciary Committee is set to consider a package of antitrust bills this week.
The House Judiciary Committee will vote on about a half-dozen antitrust bills, prohibiting tech giants like Facebook and Google from acquiring competitors or forcing them to sell businesses
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The debt ceiling "dance" is coming up. How did it start?

Jun 16, 2021
A higher debt limit does not mean funding more government programs. It is paying for the bills already due.
Congress has until July 31 to raise or suspend the debt ceiling.
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Bank CEOs will likely face social issue questions from Congress

May 26, 2021
The bank leaders may be asked about diversity and lending practices during the pandemic.
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Earmarks are back, and they could be key to Biden's infrastructure plans

May 13, 2021
Earmarks — money members of Congress request for projects back home — could make it easier for lawmakers to get on board.
Earmarks benefit lawmakers' constituents and could entice more members of Congress to support infrastructure spending.
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For public good, not for profit.

As Biden addresses Congress, economic policy looms large

Apr 28, 2021
Help is on the way for arts organizations and schools. But tackling thornier economic issues will require bipartisan support.
So far, the Biden administration has been sticking to plans it can implement without Republican support, said Ken Jacobs, chair of the Labor Center at the University of California, Berkeley.
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Earmarks make a comeback in a closely divided Congress

Mar 12, 2021
Opponents argue earmarks opened the door to corruption and waste. Supporters argue they'll help make Congress more effective.
Sandy Washington, executive director of LifeStyles in La Plata, Maryland. Her group received a $60,000 earmark before the ban.
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Sen. Elizabeth Warren on her new wealth tax bill and how to enforce it

Mar 12, 2021
Economists say the Ultra-Millionaire Tax Act could raise $3 trillion in 10 years.
"This going to be good for our economy," Warren, D-Mass., said of the wealth tax legislation she introduced last week.
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