Senators race to overcome snag over mass transit in infrastructure deal
As discussions continued through the weekend, Ohio Sen. Rob Portman said both sides were “about 90% of the way there” on an agreement.
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Indiana businesses urge Congress to pass LGBTQ protections
Prominent businesses such as Eli Lilly and Co., Cummins Inc., Roche Diagnostics and Salesforce are among the Indiana companies that signed the letter urging passage of the Equality Act.
Free money for all? Mayors hope local tests bring big change
The surge in interest in these so-called free money pilot programs shows how quickly the concept of just handing out cash, no strings attached, has shifted from far-fetched idea to serious policy proposal.
Infrastructure spending bill fails first vote; Senate to try again
The nearly $1 trillion measure calls for about $579 billion in new spending over five years on roads, broadband and other public works projects, to be followed by a much broader $3.5 trillion measure from Democrats next month.
Some big companies oppose potential tax hikes, but want to profit from infrastructure deal
At least a dozen profitable major U.S. companies paid little or no U.S. income tax in 2020 but are active in industry groups that object to helping fund with taxes the same public projects they want to profit from.
Critics take aim at charitable money sitting in donor funds
Criticism has helped drive a Senate bill that would tighten the rules for donor-advised funds and aim to speed donations to charities.
Big infrastructure bill in peril as GOP threatens filibuster
Tensions were rising Tuesday as Republicans prepared to block the vote, mounting a filibuster over what they see as a rushed and misguided process.
U.S., allies blame China for massive Microsoft Exchange hack
U.S officials allege that China’s Ministry of State Security has been using criminal contract hackers who have engaged in cyber extortion schemes and theft for their own profit, officials said.
Senator: Bipartisan infrastructure bill loses IRS provision
The proposal to go after taxpayers who skip out on income taxes initially had potential bipartisan appeal, but outside groups came forward to lambaste it as a way to enable the IRS to snoop around Americans’ personal finances.
Child tax credit starts hitting U.S. families’ bank accounts
Democrats see this as a landmark program along the same lines as Social Security. But many Republicans warn that the payments will discourage parents from working and ultimately feed into long-term poverty.
Senators introduce measure for federal decriminalization of marijuana
Public support for legalizing marijuana is high, with 91% of Americans saying marijuana should be legal in some form, according to a recent Pew Research Center poll.
Senate Democrats announce $3.5 trillion budget agreement
Senate Democrats announced late Tuesday that they’d reached a budget agreement envisioning spending an enormous $3.5 trillion over the coming decade, paving the way for their drive to pour federal resources into climate change, health care and family-service programs sought by President Joe Biden. The accord marks a major step in the party’s push to […]
Sanders, Biden meet as infrastructure bill swells past $3.5T
Sen. Bernie Sanders said Monday that he and President Joe Biden are on the same page as Democrats draft a “transformative” infrastructure package unleashing more than $3.5 trillion in domestic investments on par with the New Deal of the 1930s.
Biden set to sign competition order targeting big business
The sweeping order includes 72 actions and recommendations that the White House says “will lower prices for families, increase wages for workers, and promote innovation and even faster economic growth.”
Business groups, unions join together on infrastructure plan
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the AFL-CIO, along with trade groups representing manufacturers and retailers, announced the coalition Thursday.
Slow trickle of rental aid heightens concern about eviction crisis
Weeks before an eviction moratorium put in place by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expires on July 31, much of the federal aid meant to help tenants and landlords has not reached them.
Indiana delays unemployment benefits despite judge’s ruling
Attorneys for the state maintain Indiana can’t continue paying out the benefits because the state has already ended its agreement with the federal government to administer the federal programs.
New U.S. rules for animal farmers expected this week
The new rule that will make it easier for farmers to sue companies they contract with over unfair, discriminatory or deceptive practices.
U.S. plans to make airlines refund fees if bags are delayed
In 2019, the last full year before the pandemic, passengers paid U.S. airlines $5.76 billion in fees on checked bags, according to the Transportation Department.
U.S. added 850,000 jobs in June as labor market showed renewed strength
The news is likely to be seen as a good sign for the economy more than one year into the pandemic, after numerous wrinkles have emerged to complicate a labor recovery many hoped would be faster at this level of vaccinations.