U.S. budget deficit hits record $1.05 trillion after 5 months
The Treasury Department reported Wednesday that the October through February deficit was 68% larger than the $624.5 billion deficit recorded during the same period last year.
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Congress OKs $1.9T pandemic relief bill along party lines
Most noticeable to many Americans are provisions providing up to $1,400 direct payments this year to most adults and extending $300 weekly emergency unemployment benefits into early September. But the legislation goes far beyond that.
Independent restaurants getting economic relief they desperately sought
The $1.9 trillion package to provide economic relief for millions of businesses and individuals includes targeted relief money for independent restaurant operators, to the tune of $28.6 billion.
U.S. prepares to send relief checks, but big stimulus challenges loom
The sheer volume of new programs threatens to swamp federal agencies, including the Internal Revenue Service, leaving some lawmakers fearful about early delays.
U.S. House approves pro-union bill despite dim Senate odds
The measure, which union leaders and labor allies have presented as a cure for decades of working-class wage stagnation, was approved on a mostly party-line 225-206 vote.
When to expect payments, other benefits from COVID-19 relief package
The package includes direct payments to most Americans, aid to small businesses, financial help for schools and much more intended to help the country recover from the financial ravages of the pandemic.
Child tax credit expansion sets up showdown with GOP
The massive coronavirus relief plan making its way to President Joe Biden’s desk includes a plan to temporarily raise the child tax credit that could end up permanently changing the way the country deals with child poverty.
Move over, Muncie: Five Indiana cities could lose status as metro areas
The federal government is proposing to downgrade 144 cities in all from the metropolitan statistical area designation, which some areas fear will affect federal funding and their ability to lure businesses and talent.
Biden order could change how colleges handle sex misconduct
Biden is set to sign an executive order on Monday directing the Department of Education to review policies implemented by Donald Trump’s administration, including changes to Title IX regulations that prohibit sex discrimination in federally funded institutions.
Highlights of COVID-relief package include more aid for jobless
As approved by the Senate on Saturday, the legislation also would send $350 billion to state and local governments, $130 billion in additional help to K-12 schools and $60 billion for COVID-19 testing and vaccine distribution.
Biden, Dems prevail as Senate OKs $1.9T virus relief bill
After laboring through the night on a mountain of amendments—nearly all from Republicans and rejected—bleary-eyed senators on Saturday approved the sprawling package on a 50-49 party-line vote.
Federal advisory board votes to drop controversial for-profit-college accreditor
The council gained notoriety for allowing for-profit chains Corinthian Colleges and Carmel-based ITT Technical Institute to remain accredited despite widespread findings of fraud.
Senate revamps jobless benefits, rejects minimum wage hike in stimulus debate
Democrats maneuvered frantically Friday to push President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion stimulus bill over the finish line in the Senate, agreeing to a last-minute change sought by moderates.
Senate begins considering Democrats’ $1.9T virus relief bill
Democratic leaders made more than a dozen late changes in their package, reflecting their need to cement unanimous support from all Democratic senators—plus Vice President Kamala Harris’ tie-breaking vote—to succeed in the 50-50 chamber.
Holcomb joins 21 governors in opposing state-allocation formula in stimulus package
The governors issued a statement criticizing President Joe Biden’s plan to allocate most of the aid to states based on the unemployment rate, rather than total population. Indiana would receive $881 million more if previous allocation methods were used.
Todd Young announces Senate reelection bid
Young, 48, had widely been expected to seek another term and made it official on Twitter on Tuesday morning, saying “more work remains” to be done.
Minimum wage hike all but dead in big COVID-19 relief bill
Democrats on Monday seemed to have exhausted their most realistic options for quickly salvaging the pay hike. In one decision, they abandoned a potential amendment threatening tax increases on big companies that don’t boost workers’ pay to certain levels.
Senate Democrats consider changes to House virus relief bill
Party leaders hoping to salvage a minimum wage increase have abandoned one proposal aimed at pressuring big companies to boost workers’ pay.
House passes $1.9T pandemic bill on near party-line vote
The massive measure heads to the Senate, where Democrats seem bent on resuscitating their minimum wage push and fights could erupt over state aid and other issues.
Here’s what’s in the House’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus plan
The U.S. House on Friday plans to vote on an $1.9 trillion stimulus package, marking a crucial step toward passage of the White House’s first major piece of legislation.