Dec 25 Watch 4:56 Will the highway bill lead to funding problems down the road? By PBS News Hour The scope of the $300 billion highway bill recently passed by Congress will touch roads and bridges in every state and most counties for a half decade. Since 2009, there has been no long-term or stable federal funding to address… Continue watching
Dec 24 Watch 6:52 Why it took 36 years to compensate Iran hostage victims By PBS News Hour In 1979, the U.S. Embassy in Tehran was overrun by militant Iranian students who took 53 people captive for 444 days. The ordeal left a long-lasting toll and no chance of Iranian compensation. Now Congress has changed that under the… Continue watching
Dec 17 Republicans push more than $600B in tax cuts through House By Alan Fram, Associated Press WASHINGTON — Republicans whipped more than $600 billion in compromise tax breaks for businesses, investors and families through the House on Thursday, as Congress tried capping 2015 with a flurry of accomplishments before the partisan collisions certain to dominate the… Continue reading
Dec 16 Watch Both sides get a little something in bipartisan spending deal By PBS News Hour Members of Congress made a sweeping deal to fund government through next fall and extend dozens of tax cuts. Political director Lisa Desjardins discusses what went into the agreement with Gwen Ifill. Continue watching
Dec 16 Massive tax package offers breaks for just about everyone By Stephen Ohlemacher, Associated Press WASHINGTON -- From finance companies and manufacturers to teachers and the working poor, there is a tax break for almost everyone in the massive package unveiled by congressional leaders. Continue reading
Dec 16 What's in the massive deals Congress made overnight? By Lisa Desjardins While much of the nation slept, Congressional leaders unveiled two deals that are stuffed with major issues, from what the nation does with its oil and how it supports renewable fuel to a significant change at U.S. borders and a… Continue reading
Dec 15 Congressional negotiators prepare to unveil $1.1 trillion spending deal By Alan Fram, Associated Press WASHINGTON — White House and congressional negotiators moved toward wrapping up a tax and spending compromise Tuesday that would cap Congress' year, a package expected to lift the ban on U.S. oil exports and provide legislative goodies for home-state interests. Continue reading
Dec 11 Watch 4:59 News Wrap: Congress buys time with short-term spending bill By PBS News Hour In our news wrap Friday, Congress sent President Obama a short-term spending bill to fund agencies through the middle of next week, buying more time to negotiate a $1.1 trillion long-term tax and spending bill. Also, chemical industry giants DuPont… Continue watching
Dec 11 Congress passes 5-day spending bill hours before deadline By Erica Werner, Associated Press WASHINGTON — The House has passed a short-term spending bill to keep the government open through next Wednesday. Continue reading
Dec 03 Congress overwhelmingly backs 5-year transportation bill By Joan Lowy, Associated Press WASHINGTON -- After years of stymied efforts to address the nation's aging and congested highways and transit systems, Congress found the sweet spot for passage on Thursday -- a 5-year, $305 billion bill laden with enough industry favors, parochial projects,… Continue reading