Federal Budget

Budget Battles

  • Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) arrives at Democratic Party caucus meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., January 19, 2018. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas/ File Photo

    Factbox: What happens in a U.S. government shutdown?

    By Richard Cowan and Susan Cornwell and Amanda Becker and Richard Cowan and Susan Cornwell and Amanda Becker, Reuters

    In shutdowns, nonessential government employees are furloughed, or placed on temporary unpaid leave. Workers deemed essential, including those dealing with public safety and national security, keep...

  • FILE PHOTO - Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin listens as U.S. President Donald Trump hosts a tax reform industry meeting at the White House in Washington, U.S., October 31, 2017. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

    Trump Tries to Sell Tax Reform to Democrats

    By David Morgan, Reuters

    WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump intensified his efforts to sell Democrats on his tax reform plan on Wednesday even as Senate Republicans edged closer to passing a budget measure that...

  • U.S. President Donald Trump speaks about the Iran nuclear deal in the Diplomatic Room of the White House in Washington, U.S., October 13, 2017. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

    Senate Republicans Gain Crucial Support for Budget Vital to Tax Reform

    By David Morgan, Reuters

    WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Senate Republicans on Monday gained crucial support for a vote on a budget resolution that is vital to President Donald Trump's hopes of signing sweeping tax reform...

  • FILE PHOTO: Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) speaks during a press conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., September 12, 2017. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

    No Talk of Ousting Speaker Ryan, Key Conservative Says

    By Reuters

    Many Republicans are unhappy with the deal President Donald Trump reached last week with Democratic leaders to raise the government's debt ceiling and allow it to continue financing federal spending...

  • FILE PHOTO: The U.S. Capitol Building is lit at sunset in Washington, U.S., December 20, 2016. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts/File Photo

    Congress sends Trump disaster aid, debt limit increase

    By Richard Cowan and Amanda Becker, Reuters

    WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill to provide disaster aid, extend the debt ceiling and fund the federal government for three months on Friday, delivering on...

  • Bernanke Downplays Impact of $61 Billion in Cuts

    By Merrill Goozner, The Fiscal Times

    Ben Bernanke, chairman of the Federal Reserve, downplayed the economic impact of the $61 billion of spending cuts sought by House Republicans during an appearance on the Hill on Tuesday. He said the...

  • Poll: Blame for Possible Government Shutdown Is Divided

    By JON COHEN and PAUL KANE, The Washington Post

    Americans are divided over who would be to blame for a potential government shutdown, with large numbers saying Republicans and President Obama are playing politics with the issue, according to a new...

  • GOP Freshmen Are Budget Wild Cards

    By DAVID A. FAHRENTOLD and Philip Rucker, The Washington Post

    In just two months, a freshman class of Republicans has found a way to run the House. These 87 new members - who otherwise might have become foot soldiers for party bosses, or jittery pawns of their...

  • 10 Voices Weigh In on Handling Long-Term Debt

    By Michelle Hirsch, The Fiscal Times

    Ten politicians and economic experts – veterans of budget warfare as well as relative newcomers – offer their suggestions on what do about the nation’s long-term debt.

  • State Debt Crisis: Preview of Federal Pain to Come

    By Katherine Reynolds Lewis

    Illinois, Nevada and other states struggling with big budget deficits face the added problems of rising interest costs on their debt – a troubling trend that may presage headaches for the federal...