Newsletter Archive

January 2022

Job Growth Disappoints, but Biden Says Economy Is on Track

Non-farm employment grew by 199,000 in December, the U.S. Labor Department announced Friday, a disappointing result that fell well short of expectations for the month.

Plus: Plus, the White House preparing to request more Covid funding

Former Biden Advisers Call for New Covid Strategy

It’s been one year since the violent insurrection at the Capitol, and while we tend to focus here on the government’s tax-and-spending policies, that attention to the fiscal path of our nation goes hand in hand with concern about the…

Plus: Plus, a new surprise medical billing battle

Another Round of Covid Stimulus?

The Washington Post’s Tony Romm was first to report that Sens. Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) have been leading talks about a new business-focused stimulus in recent weeks and last month outlined a roughly $68 billion proposal…

Plus: Plus, the government investments needed to fight extremism

Manchin: No Talks on Biden Spending Bill

BBB is Democrats’ abbreviation for their Build Back Better Act, but right now the initials might as well stand for Bill on the Back Burner.

Plus: Plus, drugmakers hike prices to start the year

Democrats Try to Get Manchin to Yes

The House is still out this week, but the storm in D.C. gave the federal government a snow day and forced the Senate to postpone its first scheduled vote of the year until Tuesday.

Plus: Plus - $1 billion for meatpackers

December 2021

Nearly $100 Billion Stolen From Covid Relief

President Biden on Tuesday held out hope that Democrats could still pass his Build Back Better plan of social spending and climate programs even after Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), a key centrist vote in the Senate, announced Sunday he is a "no…

Plus: Plus, Biden says he’ll ‘get something done’ with Manchin

Manchin Fires Back as Dems Accuse Him of 'Betrayal'

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) stunned and infuriated the White House and fellow Democrats Sunday by announcing in an interview on “Fox News Sunday” that he’s a “no” on the president’s Build Back Better plan.

Plus: Plus, did the senator really kill Biden's big bill?

Biden Throws in the Towel on Spending Bill This Year

On the fiscal front, Democrats appear to be limping toward the new year, with the fate of their economic agenda again plunged into uncertainty. Catch up on the latest below — and stay safe out there.

Plus: Plus, the partisan divide over Covid boosters

Talks Between Biden and Manchin ‘Going Very Poorly’

As Democrats look to pass their roughly $2 trillion plan for social spending and environmental programs, discussions between President Joe Biden and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) are foundering.

Plus: Plus, the Fed takes aim at inflation

Senate Passes $2.5 Trillion Debt Limit Increase

Democrats are set to raise the federal government’s $28.9 trillion debt limit by $2.5 trillion, enough to avoid any further standoff over the nation’s borrowing cap until after the 2022 midterm elections and into 2023.

Plus: Plus, more Americans skipping medical care due to cost

Biden Orders Government to Get Smarter, Faster

It’s Joe Time. That’s Joe as in Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), who is once again the center of attention on Capitol Hill as Democrats hope to pass their Build Back Better plan of social and climate programs before Christmas. Manchin’s continued…

Plus: Plus, the biggest obstacle to Biden's spending bill

14 GOP Senators Back Deal to Raise Debt Ceiling

Happy Thursday! The path to avoiding an unprecedented debt default got a lot clearer today as the Senate took the first step in a bipartisan plan to raise the federal borrowing limit.

Plus: Plus, Billions in pandemic aid, but no boost for Biden

Manchin Calls for 'Pause' on Biden Bill

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said Wednesday that she expects the bill containing much of President Joe Biden’s domestic agenda to pass both houses of Congress before the holiday break.

Plus: Plus, a Republican rift over raising the debt ceiling

McConnell Cuts a Deal to Raise the Debt Ceiling

Congressional leaders have agreed on a novel legislative plan that would allow Democrats to raise the debt ceiling on their own without the threat of a Republican filibuster in the Senate, according to multiple reports Tuesday. If…

Plus: Plus, the House is set to pass a $768 billion defense bill

More Debt Ceiling Drama Ahead?

Now comes the harder stuff, namely addressing the debt ceiling and a contentious, long-delayed annual defense bill. Lawmakers will also look to prevent Medicare reimbursement cuts from automatically kicking in on January 1. Oh, and Senate…

Plus: Plus, Biden pitches lower drug prices to sell his agenda

Shutdown Averted, but More Showdowns Ahead

President Biden on Friday signed a stopgap bill to fund the government through February 18, averting a government shutdown and pushing congressional budget fights into next year.

Plus: Plus - Unemployment rate drops sharply