May 14 Puerto Rico to spend $2B to fight COVID-19 as concerns grow over allocation By Dánica Coto, Associated Press Wanda Vázquez said Thursday that $300 million will be used in part to increase testing, expand contact tracing and help the unemployed affected by a lockdown imposed in mid-March. Many Puerto Ricans also worry that the newest funds available will… Continue reading
Apr 28 Watch 4:36 More states lift restrictions, as small businesses struggle to secure relief By Amna Nawaz Nine states have begun lifting pandemic restrictions in a bid to revive struggling economies. Many small businesses have tried to secure financial relief from the federal government’s Paycheck Protection Program -- but the initiative’s second round has been plagued with… Continue watching
Apr 16 Watch 3:42 Stories from Americans struggling with the pandemic’s economic fallout The U.S. is experiencing a sudden spike in unemployment not seen since the Great Depression. In about a month, 22 million lost their jobs, with many more cuts yet to come -- and a sense that even these staggering numbers… Continue watching
Apr 16 Watch 4:58 Why congressional relief for small businesses ran out so fast Small businesses constitute the primary engine of the U.S. economy -- and they are among the hardest hit by the novel coronavirus pandemic’s fallout. They suffered a new blow Thursday when the massive $349 billion relief program established to support… Continue watching
Apr 02 Watch 8:37 Why federal aid for struggling Puerto Rico remains a political battle A wide-ranging disaster relief bill failed in the Senate Monday due to a disagreement about federal aid for Puerto Rico. Meanwhile, the island territory is struggling to recover from Hurricane Maria's damaging blow a year and a half ago. Lisa… Continue watching
Sep 26 Watch 14:49 Is the government doing enough to help Puerto Rico? By PBS News Hour Conditions are dire for more than 3 million Americans struggling to get water, food and electricity after Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico. P.J. Tobia reports on the pressure President Trump has faced to send more aid, then Judy Woodruff speaks… Continue watching
Aug 30 Some recall Sandy struggle as Congress ponders Harvey relief By Steve Peoples, Associated Press Another powerful natural disaster has exposed lingering resentment that underscores regional divisions in a deeply divided Republican Party. Continue reading
Jun 25 Watch Future for Many Jobless in Question as GOP Blocks Unemployment Extension On Thursday, Republicans blocked a jobs bill that included an extension of unemployment benefits. Judy Woodruff talks to The Washington Post's Lori Montgomery about why Senate Republicans blocked the bill and what it means for the millions of unemployed. Continue watching
Dec 18 Watch Automakers Idle Plants While Awaiting Federal Action Faced with historically slow sales, the big three auto companies have made more cost-cutting moves, including temporarily shuttering plants, in an attempt to stay afloat while the government debates an auto industry aid package. A reporter in Detroit provides an… Continue watching
Dec 12 Watch Automakers Look to White House to Revive Bailout Hopes The White House said Friday it may use funds from the $700 billion financial bailout package to aid struggling U.S. automakers after the Senate rejected a rescue plan. Analysts discuss the debate over the bailout. Continue watching