Dec 19 Fight over Fed powers stalls $900 billion aid plan By Andrew Taylor, Associated Press An arcane battle over emergency Federal Reserve powers is frustrating efforts to lock down an agreement on an almost $1 trillion COVID-19 economic relief package. Saturday’s impasse is just the latest stumble in a partisan, monthslong fight, and feelings hardened… Continue reading
Dec 18 House passes two-day stopgap spending bill to avert government shutdown By Andrew Taylor, Associated Press The hoped-for agreement would provide more than $300 billion in aid to businesses, a $300-per-week bonus federal jobless benefit, and $600 direct payments to individuals. Continue reading
Dec 18 Google's antitrust case won't go to trial until Sept. 2023 By Michael Liedtke, Associated Press The U.S. government's attempt to prove Google has been using its dominance of online search to stifle competition and innovation at the expense of consumers and advertisers won't go to trial for nearly three years. Continue reading
Dec 18 WATCH LIVE: Pelosi holds briefing as government shutdown deadline looms By Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press The legislative branch of government is rapidly moving to receive the coronavirus vaccine, with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi getting the shot on Friday and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell saying he will "in the coming days."… Continue reading
Dec 17 Dozens of states file anti-trust lawsuit against Google By Associated Press In many ways, the flurry of U.S. antitrust suits represent an attempt to catch up with European regulators who have spent the past several years trying to crack down on Google. Continue reading
Dec 17 States grapple with next steps on evictions as crisis grows By Sara Cline, Associated Press If Oregon extends its eviction moratorium next week, it would go further than a one-month extension of a federal eviction measure expected in a coronavirus relief package nearing consensus in Congress. Continue reading
Dec 17 Final stretch on COVID-19 economic relief, but no deal yet By Andrew Taylor, Associated Press Congressional negotiators on the long-delayed $900 billion COVID-19 economic relief package worked through a handful of remaining holdups Thursday as they labored to seal a final agreement for more help to businesses and the unemployed and new stimulus payments to… Continue reading
Dec 17 U.S. jobless claims rise to 885,000 amid resurgence of virus By Paul Wiseman, Associated Press The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose again last week to 885,000 as a resurgence of coronavirus cases threatens the economy's recovery from its springtime collapse. Continue reading
Dec 16 Watch 4:08 Congress closes in on a deal for an economic relief bill Lawmakers in Washington inched closer to an elusive deal on an economic relief bill during the pandemic, with both sides making concessions including the possibility of direct-payment checks to Americans. Lisa Desjardins joins Judy Woodruff to discuss the latest. Continue watching
Dec 16 WATCH: Fed chair Jerome Powell discusses economy By Christopher Rugaber, Martin Crutsinger, Associated Press The Federal Reserve said it will keep buying government bonds until the economy makes "substantial" progress — a step intended to reassure financial markets and keep long-term borrowing rates low indefinitely. Continue reading