Newsletter Archive

February 2024

‘Intense’ White House Meeting Cools Shutdown Fears

Happy Tuesday! The White House meeting today between President Joe Biden and congressional leaders got “intense,” according to some participants. But it generated some optimism that a looming government shutdown can be avoided, even as it…

Plus: Plus: Johnson gets pressured on Ukraine aid

Biden Summons Lawmakers to White House as Shutdown Looms

Happy Monday! We’ve got just over four days left until the first of two March government shutdown deadlines. Here’s what’s happening, or not happening.

Plus: Plus: A Republican puts revenues on the table

Shutdown Watch: Congress Creeps Toward a ‘Preventable Disaster’

Happy Thursday! Do you believe in miracles? On this date in 1980, the U.S. Olympic hockey team delivered its “Miracle on Ice” upset of the Soviet Union team. The American team would go on to win the gold by beating Finland in their final…

Plus: Plus: Americans’ top financial worry

Biden Says GOP ‘Making a Big Mistake’ on Ukraine Aid

Happy Tuesday. Congress is out of town this week, but that hasn’t stopped leaders from sniping at each other as the clock ticks on Ukraine aid and government funding. Here’s your update.

Plus: Plus, clean water and chips

Congress Skips Town as Shutdown Deadline Looms

A New York judge today ordered former president Donald Trump and the Trump Organization to pay nearly $355 million penalties for their actions to defraud lenders and insurance companies. “In order to borrow more and at lower rates,…

Plus: Plus: House moderates pitch $66 billion security package

IRS Chief Warns Budget Cuts Would Raise the Deficit

Happy Thursday! We’re one day closer to a holiday weekend — unless you’re in Congress, in which case the weekend break has already started.

Plus: Plus: CBO director warns of rising interest costs

Biden Calls for Immediate House Vote on Ukraine Aid

Happy Mardi Gras! Laissez les bon temps rouler! Louisiana-born Speaker Mike Johnson may favor letting the good times roll, but he doesn’t look ready to roll on assistance for Ukraine and Israel. Here’s the latest.

Plus: Plus, inflation cools less than expected

Deficit Tops $500 Billion in First 4 Months of Fiscal 2024

Happy Monday! We get another key reading on inflation tomorrow morning — and Wednesday is Valentine’s Day, but we’ll accept your feedback and fan mail anytime.

Plus: Plus: Senate defies Trump as it moves toward passing aid bill

Senate Inches Forward on $95 Billion Ukraine-Israel Aid Bill

Happy Friday! The White House is still trying to manage the fallout from yesterday’s special counsel report on President Joe Biden’s handling of classified material and, more to the point, its politically damaging — and, as some have…

Plus: Plus: Inflation really is cooling

Senate Forges Ahead on Ukraine Bill Without Border Reforms

Happy Thursday — a big day for the leading presidential candidates and the legal system. The Department of Justice declined to bring charges against President Joe Biden as it ended its investigation into his retention of classified…

Plus: Plus, how interest costs are soaring

Senate Republicans Block Bipartisan Border Deal

Good evening. The collapse of the Senate’s border deal is complete. And the Congressional Budget Office says U.S. debt is on pace to rise by nearly $20 trillion over the next decade. Here’s what’s happening, or not happening, as the case…

Plus: Plus: Deficits to top $2 trillion a year, CBO Says

Biden Blames Trump as Border Deal Collapses

Good Tuesday evening. A federal appeals court ruled unanimously today that Donald Trump can stand trial on charges that he plotted to overturn his loss in the 2020 election, thoroughly rejecting the former president’s sweeping claims of…

Plus: Plus, Yellen touts 'historic recovery'

Republicans Rage Against Border Deal

Happy Monday and welcome to what promises to be a critical week for any potential compromise on the border and aid to Ukraine and Israel.

Plus: Plus: Powell warns about the national debt

Another Stunningly Strong Jobs Report

Happy Groundhog Day! Both Punxsutawney Phil and Staten Island Chuck predicted early springs today, but we wouldn’t recommend trusting these rodents for any crucial weather-related planning; The National Centers for Environmental…

Plus: Plus: The first state to cancel some medical debt

House Passes Bigger Child Tax Credit. Will Senate GOP Derail It?

The House on Tuesday night easily passed a $78 billion bipartisan bill to increase the Child Tax Credit and restore some business tax breaks through 2025. The Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 would also expand the…

Plus: Plus, progress on the border

January 2024

House to Vote on Bigger Child Tax Credit, Business Breaks

The House of Representatives is poised to vote tonight on a $78 billion bipartisan deal that would temporarily enhance the Child Tax Credit and restore a trio of corporate tax breaks. The measure is expected to pass with broad bipartisan…

Plus: Plus: When will the Fed cut rates?

GOP Infighting Threatens to Derail Tax Bill

Happy Tuesday! On this date 55 years ago, The Beatles performed their famous rooftop concert in London — their last public performance together.

Plus: Plus: Johnson sees ‘no way forward’ on border deal