Budget

Pelosi Shuts Down Trump's State of the Union Speech in the House

By Yuval Rosenberg

As the partial government shutdown heads for its 34 th day, the political brawling between President Trump and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is revving up to new levels. Here’s an update on where things...
Earmarks Could Make a Comeback, Under a New Name

By Michael Rainey

Now that they’re back in charge of the House, some Democrats are pushing for the return of earmarks, which allow lawmakers to direct money to specific projects, The Hill’s Alexander Bolton reports ...
Shutdown Could Wipe Out Economic Growth in Q1

By Michael Rainey

Kevin Hassett, chair of President's Trump's Council of Economic Advisers, said Wednesday that the U.S. economy may register zero growth in the first quarter if the partial government shutdown lasts...
A Faint Glimmer of Hope for an End to the Shutdown?

By Yuval Rosenberg

Day 32 of the partial government shutdown brought a tiny, faint glimmer of hope that the impasse could be resolved, even as Republicans and Democrats prepare for the next round of legislative volleys...
How Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Is Already Shifting the Debate on Taxes and Deficits

By Yuval Rosenberg

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the youngest woman ever elected to Congress, has wasted no time in making waves in Congress, emerging as a focal point for the national press — and social media powerhouse...

28 Days Later: The Government Shutdown Horror Story Continues

By Yuval Rosenberg

If the partial government shutdown was a horror movie, it could now be called “28 Days Later.” We’re rapidly closing in on the one-month mark for the partial government shutdown, and developments...
Shutdown Could Be a Hint of Things to Come

By Michael Rainey

As long as the current government shutdown ends within the next few weeks, the cost to the overall economy should be relatively modest, says Andrew Hunter of Capital Economics. Much of the lost...
Trump Strikes Back at Pelosi, Blocking Her Overseas Trip

By Yuval Rosenberg

Friday will be day 28 of the partial government shutdown, but Thursday’s developments offered little hope that closed federal departments and agencies would be reopening soon — and little to allay...
The Great Debt Debate

By Michael Rainey

We told you last week about a new paper from economist Olivier Blanchard that caused a stir by suggesting that government debt may be less problematic than many experts have believed. Blanchard found...
Bipartisan Group of Senators Pushes for Trump to Reopen Government

By Yuval Rosenberg

A bipartisan group of senators is urging President Trump to agree to a three-week stopgap funding measure that would end the government shutdown, now heading for its 27th day, while they negotiate a...

5 Ways the Shutdown Pain Could Get Much Worse

By Michael Rainey

Now in its third week, the shutdown will become the longest in history if it lasts until Saturday, and the negative effects are starting to accumulate – and could grow more destructive in the coming...
Trump Sets Prime-Time Speech to Ramp Up Shutdown Pressure on Dems

By Yuval Rosenberg

As the partial government shutdown heads into its 18th day with no sign of a breakthrough to end the impasse, President Trump is looking to make his case directly to the American public — and not...
The Widening Impact of the Shutdown

By The Fiscal Times Staff

The Washington Post’s Kimberly Kindy, Lisa Rein and Joel Achenbach: “As the partial government shutdown enters Day 14, its effects are starting to cascade far beyond the hulking agency buildings in...
Trump Says Shutdown Could Last ‘Months or Even Years’

By Yuval Rosenberg

Two weeks into the partial government shutdown, there are few signs that the standoff will be resolved anytime soon. President Trump and congressional leaders made little progress Friday at a White...
The Farm Bill: Discretionary Spending We Could Do Without

By Tracy C. Miller, The Fiscal Times

In the days before Christmas, President Trump signed the 2018 Farm Bill, which the House and Senate had voted overwhelmingly to support. It authorizes $868 billion over the next 10 years for programs...