How the U.S. can fix its political infighting

Jun 26, 2012
By taking a note from our neighbors in Great Britain. Freakonomics' Stephen Dubner explains why he thinks U.S. Congress should borrow the U.K. tradition of the Prime Minister's Question Time.

Congress to decide on transportation bill, student loan rates

Jun 25, 2012
House lawmakers have until the end of the week to deal with two big economic issues. One is a two year transportation funding bill that puts about three million jobs at stake. The other is how to keep student loan interest rates from doubling for millions of new borrowers.

Congress makes new financial disclosures

Jun 15, 2012
Annual disclosure forms show investments, liabilities, and other sources of income. This week's filings were the last before a broader new rule goes into effect.

What's not getting done in Washington

May 29, 2012
There's a long list of legislative issues on hold. Blame the upcoming election.

Congress begins budget battle over automatic cuts to Pentagon spending

May 7, 2012
Here's a phrase you'll begin to hear a lot in Congress: sequestered cuts. Today, the House begins debate on how to deal with the debt crisis.

STOCK Act becomes law

Apr 4, 2012
Today President Obama will sign the STOCK Act -- short for “Stop Trading On Congressional Knowledge.” It says Capitol Hill finally has to follow the same insider trading rules as everybody else.

Transportation construction could grind to a halt

Mar 29, 2012
Construction on roads and bridges around the country could grind to a halt this weekend, and over a million jobs could be at risk.

For public good, not for profit.

Rubber not meeting the road on highway bill

Mar 28, 2012
The highway bill is in a standoff in the House, threatening highway projects if an agreement can't be reached by this weekend.

Congress agrees on insider trading ban... for themselves

Mar 23, 2012
Washington leaders have passed a bill that bans members of Congress from trading stocks based on non-public information, and President Obama says he will sign it.

Funding cuts stall long-term transportation projects

Mar 12, 2012
The Senate is likely to pass an extension of the federal transportation spending bill this week. But it will only fund highway and transit projects for two years. Most generally take five years.