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Inflation Reduction Act's climate change funding takes aim at environmental inequity

Aug 9, 2022
The bill, which has passed in the Senate and is up for a vote in the House this week, would allocate tens of billions to communities which suffer disproportionately from the effects of climate change.
Climate change is making heat waves more frequent and hotter with large swathes of the U.S. currently under excessive heat warnings.
Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images

Senate to vote on bill to expand U.S. semiconductor production

Jul 26, 2022
The CHIPS Act would create $52 billion in subsidies to encourage domestic chip production, but some say that isn't enough to bring back the industry.
Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

The lowdown on "red flag laws" when it comes to gun control

Jun 15, 2022
Also known as "extreme risk protection orders," they can activate when violence becomes a possibility.
The Senate agreement on a framework for gun control includes more states enacting red flag laws, which kick in if the threat of violence becomes evident.
Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images

A look at the Federal Reserve's historical lack of diversity

Jan 5, 2022
There wasn't a Black member of the Fed's board of governors until 1966. Part of the problem: too much emphasis on Ivy League economists.
“If you’re intentionally creating a talent pool that is nondiverse, then you’re probably going to end up with a nondiverse outcome," Georgetown Law professor Chris Brummer says. Above, the Federal Reserve building in Washington, D.C.
Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images

Housing advocates fight to maintain place in social-spending bill

Oct 25, 2021
Advocates had high hopes for the $320 billion initially included for housing, but the plan’s funding is being cut during negotiations.
President Joe Biden promotes his Build Back Better agenda in New Jersey on Monday. His plan to expand the nation's social safety net is being pared back by congressional negotiators.
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

Major scientific and technological investment sought to better compete against China

Jun 9, 2021
U.S. government funding for even basic research has been in decline for decades.
Misha Friedman/Getty Images

When will we see the next round of stimulus checks?

Mar 8, 2021
If the bill becomes law, you’ll probably start seeing the payments show up in bank accounts within a couple weeks.
LPETTET via Getty Images

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Senate Democrats may drop backup plan to raise minimum wage

It’s now unclear whether the final bill will include a minimum wage hike.
The House passed a COVID relief bill over the weekend that does include a provision for raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

Senate approves budget resolution, key step in passing Biden's COVID plan

Feb 5, 2021
The action came after an all-night session, where senators voted on amendments that could define the eventual bill.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., (left) and Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill., at a press conference at the Capitol on Feb. 2, 2021 in Washington.
Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images

A Democratic Senate could mean big economic policy changes

Jan 7, 2021
A unified Democratic government might approve more stimulus, aid to states and tax hikes to fund health, education and green energy.
Jon Ossoff, left, and Raphael Warnock campaign with President-elect Joe Biden in Atlanta. With the victories of Ossoff and Warnock, Democrats will control the Senate.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images