91±¬ÁÏ

Economic Policy December 20, 2015

Obama signs directives aimed at gender pay gap -- despite disparities in White House pay

President Obama on Tuesday ordered new changes for federal contractor compensation practices, in an election-year bid drawing attention to women's pay -- even as Obama's top spokesman defended pay disparities between men and women on the White House staff.

Economic Policy December 20, 2015

Obama imposes his policies directly on federal contractors, in 'year of action'

President Obama is imposing his policies directly on federal contractors.

Health care December 20, 2015

ObamaCare a success or failure? Depends where you live

As the administration looks to declare ObamaCare's first enrollment period a success, whether the health law is a winner or loser really depends on where you live.

Jobs December 20, 2015

Obama, Biden announce $600M for competitive job grants

Emphasizing skills training as key to a growing middle class, President Obama on Wednesday announced $600 million in competitive grants to spur creation of targeted training and apprenticeship programs to help people land good-paying jobs.

91±¬ÁÏ Poll December 20, 2015

91±¬ÁÏ Poll: Voters see worsening job situation

More American voters think the nation’s job situation is getting worse rather than better by a 48-39 percent margin according to the latest 91±¬ÁÏ poll.

Social Policy December 20, 2015

Obama to order expansion of overtime pay for millions of workers

President Obama, flexing his executive authority once again, plans to order the Labor Department to expand overtime pay requirements to include millions more workers -- in a move likely to rankle the business community.

Deficit December 20, 2015

‘Gaming the system’? States use trick to undo food stamp cuts

States are using what critics call a "perverse" legislative maneuver to partly undo congressional cuts to food stamps, despite efforts by some U.S. lawmakers to stop it.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES December 20, 2015

House approves GOP-led bill to boost Fed oversight

The Republican-controlled House approved a bill Thursday that supporters said would make the Federal Reserve more transparent and accountable, defying a veto threat.

Economic Policy December 20, 2015

Details of controversial trans-Pacific trade deal released

Details of a sweeping Pacific Rim trade deal released Thursday set the stage for a raucous debate in the U.S. Congress but also may provide reassurances to those who worried the agreement could gut protections for the environment, public health and labor.

Economic Policy December 20, 2015

Obama's failed trade agenda leaves wake of winners and losers set for Capitol Hill rematch

The stunning defeat of President Obama’s trade agenda has resulted in an odd mix of winners and losers headed for a rematch next week over an historic proposal that if passed would impact an estimated 40 percent of the global economy.

Republicans December 20, 2015

Union-backed Dems make final push to kill Obama's trade bill

Union-backed Democrats launched a last-ditch effort Thursday to scuttle President  Obama's trade agenda by sacrificing a favored program of their own that retrains workers displaced by international trade.