December 20, 2015 Oklahoma senator calls out Congress for blowing money on 'fruity' grants One Washington lawmaker says the fiscal fight in DC needs to be refocused on millions of dollars being blown on new government grants that include everything from spending on social media for apples, Christmas tree initiatives and a YouTube video promoting the proper handling of watermelons. And that’s just this week alone.
December 20, 2015 US economy grew at 2.5 percent rate in spring The U.S. economy grew at a 2.5 percent annual rate from April through June, much faster than previously estimated. The steep revision was largely because U.S. companies exported more goods and imports declined.
December 20, 2015 Yellen signals growing likelihood of a December rate hike Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen told Congress Thursday that economic conditions are falling into place for policymakers to raise interest rates when they meet in two weeks -- as long as there are no major shocks that undermine confidence.
December 20, 2015 Holder calls for increased whistleblower rewards The Justice Department expects to bring criminal charges in the coming months in investigations involving financial institutions, Attorney General Eric Holder said Wednesday as he called for better incentives for Wall Street whistleblowers who report crime.
December 20, 2015 Treasury could act next week to prevent companies from leaving U.S. The Treasury Department could act as soon as next week to stop companies from moving their headquarters out of the U.S. for tax purposes, a top Democratic tax lawmaker said Friday.
December 20, 2015 Study: 'Cash for Clunkers' an even bigger lemon than thought The government’s "Cash for Clunkers" program – pitched as a plan to jump-start U.S. auto sales and clean up the environment by getting gas-guzzling vehicles off the road -- may have been a clunker itself, according to a new economic study.
December 20, 2015 Treasury chief asks for bipartisan approach to debt ceiling Treasury Secretary Jack Lew dialed back from dire-sounding prepared comments on the country’s fiscal health Monday, and instead called for a bipartisan approach to dealing with the looming debt ceiling deadline.
December 20, 2015 Spending bill includes significant Dodd-Frank change Tucked into the 1,603-page omnibus spending bill put out by congressional leaders late Tuesday night was a significant change to the landmark 2010 Dodd-Frank financial reform law.
December 20, 2015 US Chamber of Commerce head urges Cuba to open up economy The head of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has a prescription for communist-run Cuba's struggling economy: less government control and a heavier dose of the open market.
December 20, 2015 Labor nonprofit fails to disclose years of lobbying, but avoids IRS scrutiny Critics of the Restaurant Opportunities Center United Inc. have long alleged the nonprofit is a union-front group.
