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The shrinking federal government — in D.C.

Mar 15, 2024
For years, there have been more federal workers based outside the nation’s capital than in it. That trend picked up during the pandemic.
"From February 2020 to January 2024, federal government employment in the District of Columbia, D.C. proper, fell by 2%,” said T.J. Lepoutre at the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

What lawmakers slipped into the $460 billion spending package

Mar 12, 2024
Earmarks promise to spend money on specific projects requested by individual members of Congress.
In this latest funding package, there are more than 6,000 earmarks totaling more than $12 billion, according to an analysis by Bloomberg Government.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Biden's budget and GOP response offer up a sneak preview of next year's campaign issues

Mar 10, 2023
The budget is a policy document, but this one's also a campaign document.
President Biden talks about his proposed FY2024 federal budget during an event in Philadelphia on March 9.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

State of the Union speech is Biden's chance to sell his economic record to skeptical Americans

Feb 7, 2023
President Biden is likely to tout the strong job market and recovery from the pandemic recession.
President Joe Biden delivers his 2022 state of the union address to Congress. This year, president is likely to talk progress on inflation and other economic matters.
Sarahbeth Maney-Pool/Getty Images

D.C. aims to make housing down payments more affordable for lower-income families

Aug 24, 2022
The city is doubling the amount of low-interest loans that first-time homeowners can qualify for in its Home Purchase Assistance Program, but analysts say that only addresses part of the problem.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced this week that first-time homebuyers could qualify for as much as $202,000 in assistance in the form of low-interest loans.
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Congress returns to funding, Build Back Better attempt

Jan 31, 2022
Talk of a Supreme Court nomination is on everyone's lips these days, but Congress has an economic laundry list to address.
With Congress back in session, Democrats will want another try at passing at least portions of the Build Back Better agenda.
Leigh Vogel/Getty Images for MoveOn

So what exactly is in the infrastructure bill?

Nov 8, 2021
And how exactly does it address the biggest challenges facing this economy?
President Joe Biden speaks Saturday, after the House passed the bipartisan infrastructure bill. It invests in climate-friendly transportation and addresses equity for marginalized communities, among other issues.
Samuel Corum via Getty Images

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Will the Bureau of Land Management's new headquarters stay in the West?

Jul 12, 2021
The Trump administration moved the agency's headquarters to Colorado from Washington, D.C. in a controversial move that's still questioned.
The Bureau of Land Management is renting out space in this building near the airport in Grand Junction, Colorado.
Madelyn Beck via Mountain West News Bureau

Security concerns take toll on pandemic-ravaged Washington businesses

Jan 14, 2021
Instead of an inauguration boost, businesses in and around the nation's capital plan to curtail hours or even close.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

How the Capitol insurrection affects those who live and work in Washington

Wednesday's violence caused chaos for our democracy, but also for people living, working and running businesses.
Pro-Trump protesters gather in front of the U.S. Capitol Building on January 6, 2021 in Washington.
Jon Cherry/Getty Images