5 women with immense power: Can they keep US from fiscal brink?
This year, for the first time in history, the four leaders of the two congressional spending committees are women. So is the president’s OMB director.
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Key pandemic food benefit set to end, putting some seniors at risk
The reductions of allotments will be difficult for many, advocates say, especially since food costs were 12 percent higher in November 2022 than a year earlier.
House GOP eyes Social Security, Medicare amid spending battle
Only weeks after taking control of the chamber, GOP lawmakers under new Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., have rallied around firm pledges for austerity.
Postal service on-time performance similar in rural, urban areas, report finds
Challenges with the cash-strapped United States Postal Service sent many Americans to their wit’s end during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in communities reliant on the mail for essential goods.
Justice Department sues Google over digital advertising dominance
The government alleged in the complaint that Google is looking to “neutralize or eliminate” rivals in the online ad marketplace through acquisitions and to force advertisers to use its products by making it difficult to use competitors’ offerings.
FDA proposes switching to annual coronavirus vaccine, mimicking flu model
The proposed change is designed to reduce the complexity of the vaccine regimen for the public, doctors and manufacturers. It also reflects a view that “chasing variants” with ever-changing booster formulations is ultimately futile.
Treasury Secretary Yellen says debt standoff risks ‘calamity’
The Biden administration and Republican lawmakers have been at loggerheads over how to increase the government’s legal borrowing capacity.
Top Biden aide and Indy native Klain expected to leave White House
Ron Klain’s departure also comes as the White House struggles to contain the fallout after classified documents dating from President Biden’s time as vice president were discovered at his home in Wilmington, Delaware, and at his former institute in Washington.
U.S. Treasury buys time for Biden, GOP on debt limit deal
The countdown toward a possible U.S. government default began Thursday with Treasury implementing accounting measures to buy time as frictions between President Joe Biden and House Republicans raise alarms.
Buttigieg finds himself in the spotlight for better or worse
Faced with a historic system failure that grounded air service, Pete Buttigieg appeared to lean into his role as the face of the beleaguered American transportation network.
Feds propose ‘student loan safety net’ alongside forgiveness
President Joe Biden is moving forward with the repayment plan even as his one-time debt cancellation faces an uncertain fate before the Supreme Court.
McCarthy elected House speaker in rowdy post-midnight vote
Republican Kevin McCarthy was elected House speaker on a historic post-midnight 15th ballot early Saturday, overcoming holdouts from his own ranks.
Congress expands protections for pregnant and nursing workers
Experts say the provisions will help close the gender wage gap and improve conditions for pregnant workers, especially in physically demanding jobs.
Plymouth-based SIMBA Chain lands 20-year government contract
SIMBA Chain, which helps customers implement blockchain technology, recently became a preferred vendor for the federal government. This means the company can do business with any federal government agency and can more easily work with other government vendors on projects.
Biden signs $1.7T bill funding government operations
The massive bill, which topped out at more than 4,000 pages, wraps together 12 appropriations bills, aid to Ukraine and disaster relief for communities recovering from natural disasters. It also contains scores of policy changes.
Mammoth spending bill aids retirees, boosts financial industry
A section of the $1.7 trillion spending bill passed Friday has been billed as a dramatic step toward shoring up retirement accounts of millions of U.S. workers. But the real windfall may go to a far more secure group: the financial services industry.
Jan. 6 report: Trump ‘lit that fire’ of Capitol insurrection
The 814-page report released late Thursday comes after the panel interviewed more than 1,000 witnesses, held 10 hearings and obtained more than a million pages of documents.
Senate approves $1.7 trillion omnibus bill to fund government
The bipartisan 68-29 vote teed up the measure for debate in the House, which has until the end of Friday to act.
US economy grew 3.2% in Q3, an upgrade from earlier estimate
The rise in gross domestic product—the economy’s output in goods and services—marked a return to growth after consecutive drops in the January-March and April-June periods.
Zelensky’s visit yields remarkable moment for two presidents
It offered Zelensky an opportunity to tout his government’s accomplishments in standing up to Russian aggression. It gave Biden a chance to reiterate his “America is back” message.