Trump, GOP soften on opposition to $600 jobless benefit
Both sides say the talks have not produced much progress but they could be nearing a critical phase over the weekend and into next week.
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Lawmakers question Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Google chiefs about market power
The four chief executives—Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, Apple’s Tim Cook, Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg and Google’s Sundar Pichai—took the witness stand to fiercely defend their businesses Wednesday.
Four Big Tech CEOs facing questions from Congress on competition
Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, Sundar Pichai of Google and Tim Cook of Apple are set to answer questions about market dominance in the industry.
GOP’s jobless benefit changes could mean big delays, states warn
Older state computer systems that took weeks to set up for the initial federal unemployment enhancement would need to be reprogrammed again twice under the new GOP plan.
White House: Congress might need to rush narrow relief bill to avoid unemployment aid lapse
Enhanced unemployment benefits are expiring at the end of this week for millions of Americans.
With no new law to curb drug costs, Trump tries own changes
President Trump signed four executive orders Friday. One was about importation. The others would direct drugmaker rebates straight to patients, provide insulin and EpiPens at steep discounts, and use lower international prices to pay for some Medicare drugs.
Governor’s mask order carries no penalties for non-compliance, reveals end date
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb’s executive order, signed Friday, does not include penalties for violations. The state attorney general said this week that the governor does not have legal authority to enforce a mask mandate.
Next federal virus aid package could easily swell past $1 trillion
With the pandemic showing no signs of easing, officials acknowledge the daunting challenge of trying to contain the coronavirus and prevent further economic distress.
Trump seeks payroll tax cut while GOP insists on liability protections
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is expected to introduce an approximately $1 trillion stimulus bill in coming days that will include a limited extension of federal unemployment benefits. Those benefits are set to expire as soon as this week.
Indiana-based banks didn’t cede PPP loans to big rivals
Of the 20 banks issuing the most PPP loans to Indiana borrowers, 11 were headquartered in the state—many of which went to extraordinary lengths to extend as many loans as they could.
Congress eyes new virus aid as school, health crisis deepens
Two months after House Democrats advanced a $3 trillion COVID-19 aid package proposal, Senate Republicans are poised to unveil their $1 trillion counteroffer, straining to keep spending in check as the virus outbreak spreads.
Biden unveils $2 trillion climate plan with energy revamp
The proposal doesn’t include specifics on how the ambitious plan would be paid for. Senior campaign officials said it would require a mix of tax increases on corporations and the wealthy, and deficit spending aimed at stimulating the economy.
White House signals openness to unemployment compromise as deadline looms
Senior Trump administration officials have begun signaling their willingness to approve a narrow extension of the enhanced unemployment benefits helping tens of millions of jobless Americans hurt by the coronavirus pandemic.
White House campaign to help jobless, employed ‘find something new’
The not-for-profit Ad Council created the campaign in collaboration with IBM, Apple and members of the Business Roundtable, along with the White House and the workforce policy advisory board.
Wealthy hospitals get billions in federal bailout funds
Some are asking whether coronavirus aid funds are flowing to the neediest hospitals, or to those that already have deep financial resources, as the money is doled out to thousands of institutions nationwide.
Search the PPP list: Indiana colleges, not-for-profits, small and big firms receive loans
In Indiana, more than 90% of federal loans topping $150,000 went to companies, according to the Treasury Department data. About 6% of the loans went to not-for-profit organizations.
Businesses, already bruised, pursue virus legal immunity
Businesses and the organizations that represent them fear a wave of coronavirus-related lawsuits as employees return to work and customers return to stores, restaurants and other public places.
Senate reaches deal to extend Paycheck Protection Program
Prospects for the legislation in the House, however, were uncertain. Both chambers are set to adjourn for a two-week recess by week’s end.
Money still available for PPP loans, but deadline looms
Indiana lenders had secured a total of $9.5 billion in Paycheck Protection Program loans for their borrowers as of Saturday, according to the Small Business Administration.
Trump wants federal hiring to focus on skills over degrees
President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order Friday to direct the federal government to overhaul its hiring to prioritize a job applicant’s skills over a college degree, administration and industry officials say.