U.S. debt is hitting historic heights. How much of a problem is that?

The last time the deficit was this high, as a percentage of the total economy, was 1946.
A national debt counter from mid-June. The U.S. is approaching a position it has not seen since World War II, as the amount of government debt is on pace to exceed the size of the nation's economy.
Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images

U.S. economy shrank at record-breaking 33% rate last quarter

Jul 30, 2020
It's by far the worst quarterly plunge ever.
The Commerce Department’s estimate of the second-quarter decline in GDP marked the sharpest such drop on records dating to 1947.
Valerie Macon/AFP via Getty Images

Fed Gov. Lael Brainard on the longest shutdown in history

Jan 18, 2019
The economy has been "pretty healthy," she says, but the shutdown is one of the downside risks the Fed is watching.
"Every time that the economy gets to a shutdown or a debt limit, you really do sense that desire from Americans across the country for the government to function well, and to be predictable, and I think that's what we're seeing today. People want to go back to work. They want to get their paychecks. This is affecting communities all over the country," said member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors Lael Brainard.
 
Stuart Isett/Fortune

Outgoing AEI president wants a healthy "competition of ideas"

Aug 30, 2018
Arthur Brooks explains why ideas are the engine of the economy.
American Enterprise Institute president Arthur C. Brooks
Allison Shelley/Getty Images

With tax out of the way, trade will be on Trump’s January agenda

Jan 4, 2018
With a sweeping tax overhaul out of the way, trade could be the next big item on President Donald Trump’s agenda. In the next few weeks, he’ll be making decisions about protecting U.S. industries from global competition. But he’s facing pressure from those who say tariffs will only hurt the U.S. economy.  Click the audio […]

The U.S. dollar loses ground

Jan 2, 2018
The value of the dollar dropped some 10 percent in 2017. That’s the greenback’s worst performance in more than a decade. And analysts say the dollar could lose even more ground this year.  Click the audio player above to hear the full story. 

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Weekly jobless claims are a number to watch

Mar 17, 2016
They can warn of recession--or of an economy about to surge.
 A job searcher holds an employment application as he attends the Choice Career Fair in West Palm Beach, Florida. 

 
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Just how strong are those fundamentals?

Aug 27, 2015
Even though the markets are roiled, the U.S. economy is solid. Right?

Trade agreements, then and now

Apr 21, 2015
Congress is turning its attention to trade this week.