Budget Battles
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Dems Debate Smaller Unemployment Checks
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Now It's the Senate's Turn on Stimulus
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Democrats Scramble to Save $15 Minimum Wage
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The US Is About to Get a New Top Tax Break
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150 Top Business Leaders Back Biden's Covid Plan
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Fed's Powell Warns Congress on the Economy
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Two Key Senators Say No to Biden’s Budget Office Pick
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Biden Agrees to Limit Covid Relief Payments
By Michael RaineyIn a victory for moderate Democratic senators seeking to rein in the $1.9 trillion Covid relief bill, President Joe Biden agreed on Wednesday to tighten the income limits for the next round of...
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White House Pulls Tanden Nomination for Budget Office
The White House on Tuesday gave up its fight to have Neera Tanden lead the Office of Management and Budget, accepting the first Cabinet-level defeat for a Biden nominee. President Biden said in a...
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USPS, Census, Small Business Loans on ‘High Risk’ List: GAO
By Michael RaineyThe U.S. Postal Service, the Census Bureau and the Small Business Administration face serious challenges that need to be addressed by Congress and executive leadership, according to the latest “ High...
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Billions Wasted on Buildings and Vehicles in Afghanistan: Watchdog
By Michael RaineyThe federal watchdog monitoring U.S construction projects in Afghanistan has documented enormous waste in the war-torn country over the last decade and a half, including U.S.-financed hospitals that...
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Senate Democrats Still Debating Key Elements of Covid Rescue Plan
Democrats remain divided over some elements of the $1.9 trillion Covid relief plan, with centrists including Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire looking to cut back...
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How Much Aid Do State and Local Governments Really Need?
The $350 billion in state and local aid included in Democrats’ $1.9 trillion Covid relief package is proving to be another point of contention, even among Democrats. Several Democratic senators have...
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Stimulus Update: Senate Democrats Look to Overcome Divisions
Democrats’ sprint to pass a $1.9 trillion Covid relief package ahead of the March 14 expiration of enhanced unemployment benefits is more akin to a relay race. The House of Representatives, as...
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House Set to Pass Covid Relief Bill as Dems Scramble to Save $15 Minimum Wage
By Michael RaineyThe House is set to pass a $1.9 trillion Covid relief package late Friday, sending the legislation to the Senate for further consideration and almost certain revision. The bill includes a...
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About That $1 Trillion in Unspent Covid Relief Money
By Michael RaineySome critics of President Biden’s $1.9 trillion relief bill charge that it is too generous, citing among other things the hundreds of billions of dollars that remain unspent from earlier relief...
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The Next Phase in the Stimulus Fight
The House is set to vote on Democrats’ $1.9 trillion Covid rescue plan on Friday, sending the package to the Senate, where it is expected to pass — likely with some revisions, and with zero...
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Yellen Defends Biden Stimulus Plan
By Michael RaineyCovid-19 is still driving the economy, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Monday, and the federal government needs to spend what it takes to blunt the effects on the population while bringing the...
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Treasury Tweaks PPP Loan Rules to Focus on Smaller Businesses
By Michael RaineyThe Treasury Department said Monday that it will alter the rules for the Paycheck Protection Program to get more aid to small businesses. For a two-week period starting Wednesday, the program will...
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Biden to Commit $4 Billion to Global Covid Vaccine Fund
By Michael RaineyPresident Joe Biden announced Friday that the U.S. will soon release $2 billion in initial funding to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, a private-public partnership that combats disease in low-income...
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Manchin Says He'll Oppose Biden's Budget Nominee
By Michael Rainey and Yuval RosenbergSen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) said Friday that he will not support President Biden’s pick to lead the Office of Management and Budget, raising the risk that the nominee, Neera Tanden, will fail to win the...
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Next Step in Democrats’ Stimulus Sprint Comes Monday
The next phase of Democrats’ push to pass a $1.9 trillion Covid relief package is set to start on Monday, when the House Budget Committee is scheduled to mark up the legislation. The text of the...