Economy
Janet Yellen and the Economy
Learn about Janet Yellen and her work on the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. Find out whether Janet Yellen will be nominated to replace Ben Bernanke as the Fed chairman. See where Yellen has worked before joining the Federal Reserve Board.
2009 Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan
On 18 February 2009, President Obama announced a $75 billion mortgage restructuring plan designed to help Americans stay in their homes; details will be released on 4 March 2009. There are historical precedents from the Great Depression; former President Bush initiated a similar program in December 2007; and Congress got in the act in July 2008. Even with this pedigree, or perhaps because of it, …
Recessions and Politics
In the U.S., the economy periodically rises and falls in a business cycle that is measured by fluctuations in real GDP and other macroeconomic variables. The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) is the federal agency that determines when the downturn is sufficient to be called a recession.
When the economy falls, the federal government often enacts legislation designed to stimula…
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
The 111th Congress passed the 1,071-page American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 on Friday, 13 February 2009. The $787 billion economic stimulus bill was developed almost exclusively by the Democratic party; only three Republican Senators and no Republican Representatives voted for the bill. The party line vote…
Purchases Under TARP - Troubled Asset Relief Program
Purchases Made By U.S. Treasury Under TARP - November 2008 - Troubled Asset Relief Program
Purchases Under TARP - Troubled Asset Relief Program
Purchases Made By U.S. Treasury Under TARP - November 2008 - Troubled Asset Relief Program
The History of US Government Financial Bailouts
The 2008 financial market meltdown is not a solo event, although its magnitude marks it for the history books. It's the latest in a series of financial crises where businesses (or government entities) turn to Uncle Sam to save the day.
What Was The Lockheed Bailout?
The year was 1971. Richard Nixon was in the White House. And Texas Republican John Tower was butting heads with Wisconsin Senator William Proxmire over a bailout ... of Lockheed Aircraft.
GATT - General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
What is the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade?
What Was The Chrysler Bailout?
The year was 1979. Jimmy Carter was in the White House. G. William Miller was Treasury Secretary. And Chrysler was in trouble. Would the federal government help save he nation's number three automaker?
What Caused The Great Depression?
Economists and historians are still debating the causes of the Great Depression. While we know what happened, we have only theories to explain the reason for the economic collapse. This overview will arm you with knowledge of the political events that may have helped cause the Great Depression.
What Is Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac?
The Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) were chartered by Congress to create a secondary market for residential mortgage loans. They are considered "government-sponsored" because Congress authorized their creation and established their public purposes.
Together, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are largest source of housing finance in the United States.
(In)Equality In America
Reaganomics in one chart. From 1979 to 2005, the (inflation-adjusted) before-tax income of the lowest quintile (20%) of US households remained flat, increasing only 1%. Conversely, household income for the top 1% tripled (a 301% increase).
Middle Class Attitudes Towards Politics, Economy - 2008
Attitudes of the American middle class about the Republican and Democratic parties and their personal well-being, from Pew Research.
Consumer Income, Insurance - Census Report for 2006
This report presents data on income, poverty, and health insurance coverage in the United States.
Pet and Animal Food Recall
A March recall of pet food has grown to encompass feed used for pork, chicken and fish -- an integral part of the US food supply.
Communications Opportunity, Promotion, and Enhancement Act of 2006
HR 5252, The Communications Opportunity, Promotion, and Enhancement Act of 2006 is a major telecommunications bill that would amend the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 541 et seq.)
Davis-Bacon Act - Prevailing Wages
The Davis-Bacon Act (1931) requires federal contractors to pay prevailing wages -- in other words, public funds cannot be used in price discrimination. Ironically, an Act championed by Republicans has been suspended most almost exclusively by Republican Presidents.
Income Taxes vs. Sales Taxes
Economics Guide Mike Moffatt analyzes what would happen if we exchanged our income tax system with one resting entirely on sales taxes.
Issue Overview : The Economy
Analysis of jobs, unemployment, and consumer purchasing during the tenure of the Bush Administration. Includes charts from 1992 - 2004.
Job Picture Remains Uninspired
August private job data look better than June and July, but still fall short of job growth.
Job Numbers Remain Depressed
Analysis of July data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
September Jobs: Anemic Growth
Non-farm job growth -- at 96,000 -- again fell considerably short of the 150,000 needed for stable numbers, and this is almost a third-fewer new jobs than reported in August. Only 59,000 of these jobs are private sector jobs. And technology and telecom lost 35,000 jobs in September.
Mid-Summer Gasoline Price Update
Nationwide average gasoline prices were declining prior to the 4th of July holiday, but remain almost a half-dollar higher than the same time last year. More from About.Com US Government Info Guide.
Why Women Still Make Less Than Men
About.Com Guide to US Government Info notes that a recent GAO study reports that "working women today earn an average of 80 cents for every dollar earned by their male counterparts." Factors affecting income disparity appear to include childbearing.
ArgMax
This website contains economics news, data, and analysis, as well as various other economics related services. The author, John Irons, is a Senior Economic Research and Policy Analyst and Staff Economist at OMB Watch, a Washington DC nonprofit organization, and was an economics professor at Amherst College.
Brad DeLong
There is wealth of information -- data, commentary, news -- about the intersection of economics and politcs at this site, which is managed by Bradford "Brad" DeLong, Professor of Economics, U.C. Berkeley.
Eye on the Economy
Explore the U.S. economy through a CBS.com interactive on U.S. markets, taxes, employment, and the Federal Reserve.
Professor Bainbridge
Stephen Bainbridge, a corporate law professor at UCLA, writes about law, business and economics, and politics. Look here for a business-oriented view of political economics.
Does the Government Create Jobs?
Find out whether the government really does create jobs. See how many government employees there are. Learn about the different types of government jobs.
Fiscal Cliff Origin
Learn about the fiscal cliff origin. Find out why Congress intentionally designed the fiscal cliff. Find out what role leaders played in the fiscal cliff origin.