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.
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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.
130 countries back deal on global minimum tax for companies
The agreement announced Thursday is an attempt to address challenges presented by a globalized and increasingly digital world economy in which profits can be relocated across borders.
House passes $700B transportation and water bill, making its pitch on infrastructure
The package provides $343 billion for roads, bridges and safety programs, $109 billion for transit agencies and $95 billion for rail. It also includes $117 billion for drinking water programs and $51 billion for wastewater infrastructure.
IRS faces 35M unprocessed tax returns as backlog swells, watchdog says
The support line for individual income tax returns received about 85 million calls, with only about 3% reaching a customer service representative, according to the taxpayer advocate report.
Joining Trump at border, GOP congressman eyes path to power
Whatever the future may hold, Rep. Jim Banks, 41, is working aggressively to play a prominent role in it. A politician with mountaintop ambition, he is rising in the ranks of the House Republicans—and in the estimation of the mercurial Donald Trump.
Federal agency blocks Indiana’s Medicaid work requirements
Indiana’s plan aimed to require those who don’t qualify for exemptions to report 20 hours a month of work or related activity, or face coverage loss.
Judge dismisses government antitrust lawsuits against Facebook
U.S. District Judge James Boasberg ruled Monday that the lawsuits were “legally insufficient” and didn’t provide enough evidence to prove that Facebook was a monopoly.
Bipartisan infrastructure deal back on track after Biden’s walk-back
Republican senators who brokered the agreement with the White House and Democrats to fund badly needed investments in roads, bridges, water and broadband indicated they were satisfied with President Biden’s comments that he was dropping the both-or-nothing approach.
‘Blindsided’ GOP senators put infrastructure deal in doubt
Livid over President Joe Biden’s refusal to sign a bipartisan infrastructure deal without separate passage of his broader priorities, Republican senators Friday were frantically considering options.
Federal funds help libraries, schools provide off-campus internet access
The application period opens Tuesday for the Emergency Connectivity Fund, which will reimburse libraries and schools for the purchase of laptops, tablets and Wi-Fi hot spots.
Break them up? Five ways Congress is trying to rein in Big Tech
Groundbreaking legislation is advancing in Congress that would curb the market power of tech giants Facebook, Google, Amazon and Apple and could force them to untie their dominant platforms from their other lines of business.
Fresh wave of rental help on way as eviction moratorium extended for ‘final’ time
Since IndyRent launched last July, it has provided $96.1 million in emergency rental assistance to help thousands of residents stay housed in the midst of the pandemic’s economic fallout.
Pence defends his Jan. 6 actions in speech that also likened Trump to Reagan
Former Vice President Mike Pence said he was proud that Congress reconvened the night of Jan. 6 to certify Joe Biden’s win even after the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, which left five people dead.
Congress repeals Trump-era regulations on payday lenders
Congress on Thursday overturned a set of regulations enacted in the final days of the Trump administration that effectively allowed payday lenders to avoid state laws capping interest rates.
Bipartisan senators reach tentative plan on infrastructure
The group had been narrowing on a much smaller but still sizable $1 trillion proposal of road, highway and other traditional infrastructure projects.
Biden, GOP struggle over how to pay for infrastructure package
President Joe Biden wants to increase taxes for corporations and those households making more than $400,000 a year. Republicans have ruled that out, putting forward alternatives that Democrats find unacceptable.
Federal holiday pressures companies to give Juneteenth off
Hundreds of companies publicly pledged to observe Juneteenth, but many others had little time to shuffle their holiday calendars. Some offered employees a regular paid day off or promised to consider adding it to their calendars next year.
Dems eye $6T plan on infrastructure, Medicare, immigration
Half of the total in the $6 trillion plan is expected to be paid for with Biden’s proposed taxes on corporations and those earning more than $400,000.