Analyst Discusses Fitch Ratings Downgrade of US Credit Rating, Says ‘Rome Isn’t Burning’
Federal Budget
Analyst Discusses Fitch Ratings Downgrade of US Credit Rating, Says ‘Rome Isn’t Burning’
2023-08-07 14:40:36
by Kate Michael

WASHINGTON — Fitch Ratings downgraded the U.S. credit rating from AAA to AA+ last week. One of the big three credit rating agencies, Fitch determined this first downgrade since 2011 was necessary due to continued erosion of governance, fiscal deterioration... Read More

Budget Hawk Fears Prescription Drug Rebate Will Become Fiscal Gimmick
Federal Budget
Budget Hawk Fears Prescription Drug Rebate Will Become Fiscal Gimmick
2022-08-16 15:39:26
by Dan McCue

WASHINGTON — A key compromise to ensure the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act could result in substantially less savings than was promised and may well wind up being nothing more than a “budget gimmick” in the hands of future... Read More

House Passes $55 Billion COVID Relief Bill for Restaurants, Bars, Others
Business
House Passes $55 Billion COVID Relief Bill for Restaurants, Bars, Others
2022-04-07 20:36:37
by Dan McCue

WASHINGTON — The House on Thursday approved a $55 billion COVID-19 relief bill aimed at helping restaurants, bars and other businesses shake off the lingering effects of the now two-year-old pandemic. But even with the rush put on considering the... Read More

<strong>House Passes Stopgap Funding Bill to Prevent Shutdown</strong>
Political News
House Passes Stopgap Funding Bill to Prevent Shutdown
2022-02-08 23:44:57
by Dan McCue

WASHINGTON — The House on Tuesday passed a stopgap measure to extend funding of the federal government through March and allow negotiations of a more long-term spending package more time to bear fruit. The vote was 272-162, with 51 Republicans... Read More

Biden Signs Bill to Raise Debt Ceiling, Averting Default
Federal Budget
Biden Signs Bill to Raise Debt Ceiling, Averting Default
2021-12-16 18:50:42
by Dan McCue

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden has signed a bill raising the debt ceiling by $2.5 trillion, setting aside with the stroke of his pen the daunting prospect that the nation  would default on its debts. The White House announced the... Read More

Budget Hawk Urges Congress to Reject ‘Extenders’ to Get Reconciliation Deal
Federal Budget
Budget Hawk Urges Congress to Reject ‘Extenders’ to Get Reconciliation Deal
2021-10-21 18:03:12
by Dan McCue

WASHINGTON - With Congressional Democrats reportedly within days of an agreement on a slimmed down reconciliation spending package, a well known independent budget hawk is urging them not to resort to “blatant budget gimmicks” to move the initiative toward passage.... Read More

Lowering Healthcare Costs for Government, Businesses and Households
Think Tanks
Lowering Healthcare Costs for Government, Businesses and Households
2021-03-22 13:04:41
by Kate Michael

WASHINGTON — National Health Care Expenditures in the United States continue to grow at rates outpacing the broader economy. But there isn’t just broad agreement among the public and policymakers that healthcare is unaffordable. Many argue that patients aren’t even... Read More

Reps Push Child Tax Credit Expansion But Watchdog Says ‘Not So Fast’
Federal Budget
Reps Push Child Tax Credit Expansion But Watchdog Says 'Not So Fast'
2021-02-09 12:27:48
by TWN Staff

WASHINGTON - House Democrats renewed their push to permanently expand and "improve" the Child Tax Credit, but a prominent fiscal watchdog warns that while the proposal deserves consideration, it must be fully paid for under the House PAYGO rules and... Read More

Will Congress Revamp Reconciliation to Quickly Pass Biden COVID Relief Plan?
Congress
Will Congress Revamp Reconciliation to Quickly Pass Biden COVID Relief Plan?
2021-01-26 21:22:11
by Dan McCue

WASHINGTON - It's the buzzword of everyone wanting to bypass GOP resistance and pass President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package, and it could upend decades of precedent when it comes to the federal budget process. The word is... Read More

Budget Hawks Urge Lawmakers to Address COVID-19 Crisis, But Heed Its Lessons
Federal Budget
Budget Hawks Urge Lawmakers to Address COVID-19 Crisis, But Heed Its Lessons
2020-03-25 16:19:42
by Dan McCue

WASHINGTON - Despite the fact the White House and Senate were able to reach a deal on a roughly $2 trillion stimulus bill early Wednesday, the U.S. economy is still facing a huge shock to its system, the president of... Read More

Budget Hawks Debut PAYGO Tracker ‘To Keep Lawmakers Accountable’
Federal Budget
Budget Hawks Debut PAYGO Tracker 'To Keep Lawmakers Accountable'
2019-10-10 21:19:11
by Dan McCue

WASHINGTON - The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget debuted a new tool Thursday -- a PAYGO Tracker -- to keep tabs on how well lawmakers are abiding by budget rules requiring new spending and tax cuts to be offset.... Read More

Mulling Presidential Run, Mark Sanford Says Government’s Precarious Finances Are Nation’s Biggest Threat
Mulling Presidential Run, Mark Sanford Says Government’s Precarious Finances Are Nation’s Biggest Threat
2019-08-16 22:33:48
by Dan McCue

WASHINGTON - Back home in South Carolina after a mid-week trip to New Hampshire, former Rep. Mark Sanford said Friday he was pleased with how things went in the Granite State and his decision on whether to mount a primary... Read More

Hoyer Hails Bipartisan Budget Deal Averting ‘Brinksmanship’ and Potential Crisis
Federal Budget
Hoyer Hails Bipartisan Budget Deal Averting 'Brinksmanship' and Potential Crisis
2019-07-23 20:40:31
by Dan McCue

WASHINGTON - House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said Tuesday a bipartisan agreement on budget caps and the federal debt limits hashed out Monday night is an example of what can happen when elected officials "work together in good faith" for... Read More

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