When will we see the economic impact of new infrastructure spending?

Nov 8, 2021
There are shorter- and longer-term projects in Biden's $1 trillion plan. State and local governments will influence how it’s spent.
President Biden's $1 trillion plan invests in long-term infrastructure change, although state and local officials will have plenty of say in how the money is spent.
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Democrats reach deal aimed at cutting drug prices for seniors

Nov 3, 2021
The limited plan would, for the first time, give Medicare the power to negotiate prices directly with pharmaceutical companies.
Medicare Advantage plans are becoming more and more popular, but what exactly do they entail?  We got the details from Dr. Fred Hyde, an independent consultant in health care finance and adjunct professor at Georgetown University.
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The origin of the U.S. debt ceiling

Nov 2, 2021
Congress is once again considering raising the debt limit. When did that start?
A sign at a Washington, D.C., bus stop showed the amount of the national debt on Oct. 25. The clock is ticking on another debt ceiling agreement to prevent a default.
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Paid family leave would be a paradigm shift for many workers

Oct 26, 2021
Even when the benefit is available, many Americans hesitate to use it. It's included in the Democrats' social-spending bill.
Though the Democrats' paid family leave proposal has been reduced from 12 weeks to four, it would still be a major change for Americans.
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What happens if we crash through the debt ceiling?

Oct 4, 2021
The Fed could buy defaulted Treasuries or swap Treasury bonds that weren’t in default for those that were.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speaks at a House hearing Thursday. Although the central bank has prepared for potential government defaults before, Powell warned lawmakers of the limits of the Fed's response.
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With a shutdown averted, federal agencies face budget constraints — and inefficiency

Oct 1, 2021
Because lawmakers couldn’t agree on a series of spending bills before Oct. 1, agencies keep running on last year’s budget.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi signs a bill at the Capitol on Sept. 30 to fund the U.S. government and avoid a federal shutdown.
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What will happen if the U.S. blows through the debt limit?

Sep 27, 2021
The economy would be in uncharted — and dangerous — territory.
Pay and hours are at the core of the unionization efforts.
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For public good, not for profit.

The debt ceiling explained

Sep 24, 2021
If Congress fails to raise or suspend the debt limit, it won’t cause a government shutdown. But it could mean a failure to pay Social Security benefits and federal salaries. 
Storm clouds gather near the U.S. Capitol on Sep. 22, in Washington, D.C.
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Congress weighs getting tough on Big Tech

Jun 22, 2021
The House Judiciary Committee is set to consider a package of antitrust bills this week.
The House Judiciary Committee will vote on about a half-dozen antitrust bills, prohibiting tech giants like Facebook and Google from acquiring competitors or forcing them to sell businesses
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The debt ceiling "dance" is coming up. How did it start?

Jun 16, 2021
A higher debt limit does not mean funding more government programs. It is paying for the bills already due.
Congress has until July 31 to raise or suspend the debt ceiling.
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