Newsletter Archive

April 2022

Sinema Could Ruin Dems' Plan to Revive Spending Bill

Happy Wednesday! Let's start with a bright spot in a dour news environment: The baseball season starts tomorrow! Before the first pitch is thrown, here's what else is going on.

Plus: Plus, Dems' fading political boost from the Child Tax Credit

Is Biden Really Cutting the Defense Budget?

Good Tuesday evening. Republicans today blocked a bipartisan deal to provide $10 billion in pandemic funding from advancing in the Senate as they push for a vote to prevent the Biden administration from rescinding a Trump-era Covid-related…

Plus: Plus, Biden signs a fix for Obamacare

An ‘Immense’ Risk to the US Budget

Happy Monday! A busy week ahead in Congress, as Democrats look to confirm Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court and lawmakers race to finalize a new Covid aid package, among other things, before they head out for a two-week recess…

Plus: Plus, senators reach deal on $10 billion Covid aid package

The ‘Crazy’ Reason for the IRS’s Huge Backlog

Happy Friday and welcome to April! A big weekend of college basketball lies ahead and "music’s biggest night" is coming Sunday with the delayed 2022 Grammy Awards. But President Joe Biden got a prize of sorts of his own today. Here’s the…

Plus: Plus, the hiring boom continues

March 2022

Senators Near $10 Billion Covid Aid Deal

Good evening. Lawmakers are closing in on a deal to fund the ongoing federal response to Covid-19, and President Biden announced an unprecedented release of oil from reserves to combat high gasoline prices. Here's what you need to know.

Plus: Plus, 112 million Americans struggle to pay for health care

Biden Presses Congress for Billions More in Covid Fight

Happy Wednesday! President Biden got another booster shot and turned up the pressure on Congress to provide a booster for the country’s pandemic efforts. Here’s the latest.

Plus: Plus, $500 million more for Ukraine

The Inflation Tax Bite

Good Tuesday evening. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending second booster shots for all Americans age 65 or older and those over 50 who are immunocompromised. And the Biden administration continues to warn that…

Plus: Plus, business lobbies push back against gas tax holiday

Biden's New Plan to Tax the Rich

Happy Monday. It may be the day after the Oscars and the slap heard ‘round the world, but around here today is just Budget Day. Read on for what President Biden is proposing for fiscal year 2023.

Plus: Plus, what you need know about Biden's 2023 budget

House Republicans Plot Their Return to Power

Welcome to the weekend! Will St. Peter's continue its fairy-tale run in the NCAA men's basketball tournament? Who will win at the Oscars? And will the big changes to the movie industry’s big evening help reverse last year’s record low…

Plus: Plus, what can Dems do about soaring gas prices?

Biden's New Defense Request to Top $800 Billion

Good Thursday evening! Lots going on today, but we’ll take a moment to note the passing of Stephen Wilhite, a computer programmer and creator of the animated GIF, who died earlier this month at age 74, according to The New York Times…

Plus: Plus, Biden announces $1 billion in new aid for Ukraine

The IRS Has Found Nearly $2 Billion in Covid Fraud

Good evening. President Joe Biden headed to Brussels Wednesday, the first stop on a European trip aimed at bolstering the NATO alliance and support for Ukraine as it continues to fight Russia’s invasion. Biden reportedly will pledge more…

Plus: Plus, Obamacare turns 12 with record enrollment, but trouble ahead

All the Weapons the US Is Sending Ukraine

Good Tuesday evening! How was your day? Send your thoughts, tips and feedback to yrosenberg@thefiscaltimes.com. And please encourage your friends to sign up here for their own copy of this newsletter.

Plus: Plus, expanded Child Tax Credit would pay huge dividends, report finds

"The Fiscal Danger Is Interest Rates"

Happy first day of spring! While Capitol Hill was focused on the confirmation hearings for Ketanji Brown Jackson, President Biden’s Supreme Court nominee, and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell again…

Plus: Plus, Powell says Fed could raise rates faster

Time for a Windfall Tax on Oil Companies?

Welcome to the weekend! As the war in Ukraine continues, President Biden on Friday warned Chinese President Xi Jinping against helping Russia. Closer to home, lawmakers are pressing oil companies to cut drivers a break. And Spring Training…

Plus: Plus, how high do interest rates have to go?

The IRS Says It's ‘Outgunned’

Good Thursday evening. It's March Madness! And St. Patrick’s Day! And Purim! Cheers! Here’s what else is going on:

Plus: Plus, Pelosi says White House should boost its Covid ask

Fed Says More Interest Rate Hikes Are Coming

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday raised its benchmark short-term interest rate for the first time since 2018, lifting its target for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to 0.25% to 0.5%.

Plus: Plus, Biden announces another $800 million in aid to Ukraine

Biden Approves Billions for Ukraine

A Tuesday that feels like spring, at long last. As the cherry trees prepare to bloom in Washington, President Biden put the federal budget drama to rest at least for a few months while approving a new round of aid for Ukraine. Here’s what…

Plus: Plus - A warning on Covid preparedness

Democrats Wrangle Over Gas Tax Holiday

Good Monday evening from New York, where it’s still light out now that we’re in daylight saving time. We haven’t filled out our March Madness brackets yet, so send your tips and picks to yrosenberg@thefiscaltimes.com. Here’s what’s…

Plus: Plus, a record year for lobbyists

$14 Billion in Aid for Ukraine Ready to Go

What a week! Congress finally passed a $1.5 trillion spending plan for the fiscal year that started in October. Today also marks the one-year anniversary of the $1.9 trillion American rescue Plan Act being signed into law by President Joe…

Plus: Plus, the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, one year later

Inflation Soars to 7.9%, Highest in 40 Years

Happy Thursday! Baseball is back, as owners and players reached a deal. Here’s what else is happening following yesterday’s congressional drama around the $1.5 trillion omnibus spending package.

Plus: Plus, Congress tries to finish the $1.5 trilion spending bill