What's on the Republican economic agenda in the coming year?

Jan 17, 2018
One economist argues immigration reform is essential to kick-starting productivity.
President Trump shakes hands with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell as he meets with Republican congressional leaders in the Roosevelt Room at the White House.
NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images

Trump's support of earmarks gets a mixed reception

Jan 10, 2018
President Donald Trump, at a bipartisan meeting on immigration yesterday, voiced support for earmarks – the system, effectively banned by the GOP back in 2010, which allowed members of Congress to attach special language to funding bills to direct money to their pet projects. How did earmarks get such a bad reputation in the first […]

The U.S. is rolling back transparency rules in the bribe-prone oil industry

Jan 5, 2018
The industry says disclosure puts it at a competitive disadvantage.
David McNew/Getty Images

Unusual freezing weather means extra costs for Southern states

Jan 4, 2018
A powerful winter storm — or bomb cyclone — is expected to engulf the East Coast today, dumping feet of snow in New England and carrying winds up to 50 miles an hour. But it’s not just the usual suspects in the Northeast who are feeling the effects of this winter weather — Southern states […]

As refugee admissions fall, nonprofits lay off staff

Jan 3, 2018
Nonprofits worry about the loss of institutional knowledge as offices are forced to close amid a slow down in refugee admissions.
After he was laid off in August, Todd Miller left refugee resettlement work to teach English as a second language at a local university. 
Emma Jacobs/ for Marketplace

U.S. government shutdown a possibility if Congress can’t compromise on contentious issues

Jan 2, 2018
Congress has to pass legislation to fund the government by Jan. 19. Otherwise, there will be a partial government shutdown.  And some policy analysts believe there’s a good chance a partial shutdown is coming.  That’s because Democrats and Republicans are far apart on issues like immigration, and the ratio of defense and non-defense spending. They […]

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The U.S. dollar loses ground

Jan 2, 2018
The value of the dollar dropped some 10 percent in 2017. That’s the greenback’s worst performance in more than a decade. And analysts say the dollar could lose even more ground this year.  Click the audio player above to hear the full story. 

Trump trying to fill Pentagon posts

Jan 2, 2018
This week, the Senate is set to vote on President Donald Trump’s nominee for Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. But like many of Trump’s picks, John Rood is a controversial nominee.  Click the audio player above to hear the full story. 

Don’t forget ... a federal government shutdown looms

Dec 1, 2017
Some groups use their leverage on the Hill to avert a closure.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images