Newsletter Archive

August 2023

A Brutal Poll for Joe Biden

Good evening. The death toll from the Maui wildfires has climbed to at least 111, with potentially more than 1,000 people still missing. Mortgage rates hit a 21-year high. And a new poll suggests President Joe Biden’s efforts to sell …

Plus: Plus: A major insurer's new plan to save on drug costs

Biden Celebrates ‘One of the Most Significant Laws’ Ever

President Joe Biden today marked the one-year anniversary of the landmark Inflation Reduction Act, calling it “one of the most significant laws” ever enacted.

Plus: Plus: Prices of top Medicare drugs have tripled

A Battle Over Spending? White House Says Bring It On

Good evening. If you’re reading this, you probably already know that former president Donald Trump, the current polling leader in the race for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, has now been indicted in four cases after he and 18…

Plus: Plus: McCarthy and Schumer aim to avoid an October shutdown

The Cost of Inflation: $709 a Month

Welcome to the weekend. Today is considered the 50th anniversary of the birth of hip hop, when DJ Kool Herc (Clive Campbell) used two turntables to lay down some beats at his sister’s birthday party in the Bronx. What’s your favorite hip…

Plus: Plus: The shifting GOP view on entitlements

Inflation Ticks Higher for First Time in 13 Months

Good evening. President Biden today declared a ‘major disaster’ in Hawaii, where wildfires raging across Maui have left at least 36 people dead. Biden also asked Congress to provide nearly $40 billion in supplemental funding, including…

Plus: Plus: Deficit tops $1.6 trillion for 2023 so far

Biden Celebrates a Hot Economy Summer

Happy Wednesday! Today is the one-year anniversary of President Biden’s signing the CHIPS and Science Act into law, and the president marked the date with an event touting the bill’s effects and the broader gains in the economy recently…

Plus: Plus: Medicare Advantage bonus payments to top $12B

‘No Border Security, No Funding,’ GOP Lawmaker Says

Happy Tuesday! On this date 49 years ago, President Richard Nixon announced his resignation, effective at noon the following day. Today was a much quieter news day. Here’s what we’re watching.

Plus: Plus: Deficit hit $1.6 trillion for first 10 months of FY2023

Two New Factors Raise Threat of Government Shutdown

Happy Monday! President Joe Biden is heading out west tonight ahead of events Tuesday and Wednesday highlighting the economy, the Inflation Reduction Act and investments in climate and clean energy. Also coming up this week: A new reading…

Plus: Plus: 'Doctors make more than anyone thought'

Uninsured Rate Drops to Record Low — but Not for Long

Former President Donald Trump this afternoon pleaded not guilty in a Washington, D.C., court to four federal felony charges stemming from his efforts to overturn the result of the 2020 election. Trump is charged with conspiracy to defraud…

Plus: Plus: Buffett still buying Treasuries

US Credit Downgrade Sparks More of the Fighting It Warned About

Good evening. Former President Donald Trump is expected to be arraigned in a Washington, D.C., federal court tomorrow, but even as that important political drama plays out, lawmakers may be gearing up for another fiscal clash as well. Here…

Plus: Plus: The IRS pushes toward paperless processing

US Credit Rating Downgraded by Fitch

Welcome to August! Former President Donald Trump has reportedly been indicted again, this time on federal conspiracy and obstruction charges related to efforts to overturn his loss in the 2020 election. Trump now faces criminal charges in…

Plus: Plus: Job openings drop to 2-year low

July 2023

Strong Economy, Weak Ratings for Biden

Happy Monday! It’s almost August and President Joe Biden is spending the next few days at the beach while Congress is out until next month. So here’s what we’re watching while waiting for baseball’s trade deadline.

Plus: Plus: DeSantis unveils economic plan attacking ‘failed elites’

The Fed’s Favorite Inflation Measure Hits 2-Year Low

The Senate on Thursday night easily passed its version of the $886 billion National Defense Authorization Act for 2024 before heading out for its August recess. The broadly bipartisan vote, 86-11, comes a couple of weeks after the House…

Plus: Plus: Almost 4 million Americans cut from Medicaid since April

US Economy Keeps Defying Expectations

Happy Thursday! We got some surprisingly good news on the economy this morning. The House, meanwhile, canceled Friday floor votes and headed out for its August recess. The Senate is still working toward a final vote on the annual defense…

Plus: Plus: The House heads home early

Fed Jacks Up Rates to Highest Level in 22 Years

Happy Wednesday! Here’s what’s happening while we wait for the U.S. Women’s National Team to play the Netherlands tonight in a rematch of the 2019 World Cup final.

Plus: Plus: Biden picks a new Social Security chief

Conservatives Look to Squeeze McCarthy on Spending

Happy Tuesday! On this date 45 years ago, the first “test tube baby,” conceived through in vitro fertilization, was born — a birth considered one of the most remarkable medical breakthroughs of the 20th century.

Plus: Plus: Consumer confidence hits a two-year high

Biden Threatens to Veto GOP Spending Bills

Happy Monday! The spending fights expected this fall are already starting to simmer. Here’s what’s happening.

Plus: Plus: A 'major policy change' for the IRS

Spending Fight Could Reach 'World War III' Levels, Lawmaker Warns

Welcome to the weekend! Leo Messi is likely to make his Inter Miami debut tonight, while the U.S. women’s national soccer team will start its defense of its World Cup title in a match against Vietnam. And we have to mention Barbenheimer,…

Plus: Plus, a better way to make prescription drugs

Wages Are Finally Rising Faster Than Prices

Happy Thursday! On this date 54 years ago, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first people to walk on the moon. Here on Earth, the FIFA Women's World Cup is underway and the host Australia and New Zealand teams have already posted 1…

Plus: Plus: Hospitals aren't complying with new price transparency law