Political News

FCC votes to change consumer complaint process7/13/2018

The Commission’s only Democrat calls the rule change ‘bonkers’

Senate approves symbolic resolution for bigger role in tariff decisions7/12/2018

Lawmakers want more say on tariffs imposed in the name of national security

FCC rule change could require $225 payment to lodge formal complaints against companies7/11/2018

Democrats say the proposal could stifle consumer voices

California malls scan shoppers’ license plates and send data to ICE contractor7/11/2018

A shopping center chain in California works with a license plate-reading company that counts ICE among its clients

Trump administration publishes list of tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese goods7/11/2018

The proposed tariffs will undergo a public comment period before taking effect

China says the U.S. has launched the ‘largest trade war in economic history’7/6/2018

The country has retaliated with tariffs of its own

U.S. Chamber of Commerce launches campaign opposing Trump’s trade tariffs7/3/2018

The group says the new tariffs could hurt every state economically

How trade wars can lead to recessions7/2/2018

Canada's new tariffs on U.S. goods suggest things are heating up

Oklahomans vote to legalize medical marijuana6/29/2018

The measure would make the state one of the least restrictive in the nation for people seeking cannabis treatment

Some passengers learn too late that Greyhound gives easy access to law enforcement6/28/2018

Border Patrol sightings and drug cases give a glimpse into Greyhound’s relationship with police agencies

Automakers say Trump’s proposed tariffs are likely to harm consumers6/28/2018

Car companies say the legislation could raise prices and eliminate hundreds of thousands of jobs

Federal judge finds Consumer Financial Protection Bureau unconstitutional6/22/2018

But the ruling will likely have a limited effect

Canada becomes second nation on Earth to legalize and regulate marijuana6/21/2018

Advocates are now pushing lawmakers to pardon people convicted of marijuana possession

Chinese investment in the United States has plummeted 92 percent this year6/20/2018

Mounting tensions and increased regulation are affecting deals for both countries

Supreme Court delays judgments on two partisan gerrymandering cases6/18/2018

The decision leaves the status quo in place until next term

Trump set to name a replacement for Mick Mulvaney at CFPB6/18/2018

Consumer groups don't seem to like her any better

Trump announces 25 percent tariffs on $50 billion in Chinese goods6/15/2018

China says the U.S. has declared a trade war

Voters to decide if California should be split into three states6/13/2018

The proposal will be on the November ballot

Supreme Court upholds Ohio's voter purge law6/12/2018

Democrats challenged the law as voter suppression

CFPB dissolves current advisory committee6/7/2018

Members say they were fired, CFPB says the board is being 'reconstituted'

Outgoing Starbucks chairman says Democrats should be more centrist and go after ‘entitlements’6/7/2018

Howard Schultz has hinted at political ambitions, but experts say his position may not be popular with voters

Mexico imposes tariffs on U.S. pork exports6/6/2018

Oddly, the result may be lower prices for American consumers

Members of CFPB Advisory Board chastise the agency's leadership6/5/2018

Eleven members say the agency has gone from helping consumers to helping businesses

U.K. government clears way for 21st Century Fox to bid on Sky broadcast network6/5/2018

The British satellite broadcaster has been the focus of a recent bidding war

U.S., China call a truce in trade war5/21/2018

Prices of many consumer products should remain stable

CFPB eliminates student loan office5/10/2018

Consumer advocates accuse the acting director of trying to make the agency less effective

Consumers may lose access to government bank complaint database4/25/2018

The CFPB Acting Director says the agency should not be running a 'Yelp for banks'

Supreme Court gives an important patent review procedure a thumbs-up4/25/2018

The process is designed to keep patent trolls at bay and the cost of protecting a patent in check

Court hears suit to remove Mick Mulvaney as acting head of the CFPB4/13/2018

The former acting director claims she was illegally removed

CFPB director urges Congress to change the agency's structure4/12/2018

Mick Mulvaney says the consumer agency should be run by a bipartisan commission

Bank of America won't lend to 'assault rifle' manufacturers4/11/2018

The decision is similar to an action taken by Citigroup

Trump signs executive order pushing work requirements for public assistance4/11/2018

The order focuses on strengthening work requirements to help the poor achieve economic mobility

Consumers likely to pay for trade war with China4/4/2018

Tariff costs usually get added to the retail price

CFPB director asks Congress to reduce the agency’s power4/3/2018

Critics charge Mick Mulvaney with pursuing a radical agenda

Spending bill lacks funds to stabilize health insurance market3/26/2018

As a result, Affordable Care Act premiums will surge in October

Remington files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy3/26/2018

Despite financial and legal difficulties, the company plans to keep making guns

Citigroup places some restrictions on gun sales for retail clients3/23/2018

The decision is the first by a major bank to take a stance in the gun control debate

Congress poised to pass $1.3 trillion budget3/22/2018

The measure would avert a government shutdown at midnight on Friday

Businesses taking the lead in emerging gun control debate3/1/2018

The recent Florida high school shooting may represent a sea change

Democrats and Republicans agree on two-year budget deal2/8/2018

Budget increases deficit with new military and domestic spending

Congress reportedly close to two-year budget deal2/7/2018

The proposed agreement would avert another government shutdown

State of the Union speech promises increased prosperity1/31/2018

Trump lists economic accomplishments, says more to come

Senate votes to end government shutdown1/22/2018

Passing the bill will fund the government another three weeks

Democrats and Republicans at odds as government shutdown looms1/19/2018

Both parties blame each other

How consumers could be affected by a government shutdown1/18/2018

The government's spending authority ends Friday at midnight

RIP: The regulations that Trump killed in 20171/4/2018

Large and small, the Trump administration ended hundreds of regulations this year. It is not easy to list all of them, so here are twenty

Senate votes to block lawsuits against financial services firms10/25/2017

Consumers will now have to resolve disputes with banks through arbitration only

Two firms that won border wall contracts were previously convicted of defrauding the U.S. government9/18/2017

A third company admitted in court filings to subcontracting an undocumented worker

Younger generations overtake Baby Boomers in voting numbers8/1/2017

A study shows that Millennials and Gen Xers accounted for nearly 70 million votes in 2016

Does President Trump's online conduct warrant a Twitter ban?7/20/2017

Twitter executives say they strive to treat all users equally when it comes to abuse

Consumer groups line up to bash Treasury Department report6/13/2017

The report recommends rolling back many of the reforms in the Dodd-Frank Act

Treasury report expected to be harshly critical of consumer agency6/12/2017

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is targeted for disassembly and disposal

House passes bill loosening regulation of financial sector6/9/2017

The measure repeals many of the reforms passed after the 2008 financial meltdown

Groups say Trump budget would hit consumers hard5/23/2017

Spending blueprint slashes food stamps, Medicaid, and CDC budget

Consumer groups descend on Washington to fight protection rollbacks5/9/2017

The consumer activists are particularly concerned by efforts to weaken the CFPB

House panel votes to reduce bank regulations5/5/2017

The unraveling of the Obama administration continues in Congress

Study suggests worries about impact of 'fake news' are overblown5/5/2017

Resarchers found internet users aren't swayed by made-up stories

Trump's tax plan cuts rates, removes some deductions4/26/2017

The plan would eliminate the deduction for state and local taxes

How would a government shutdown affect you?4/26/2017

You might have to wait longer for your tax refund and possibily change vacation plans

Texas mayor who stoked 'Sharia Law' fears may be tapped for HUD post4/5/2017

Irving Mayor Beth Van Duyne suggested without evidence that radicalized Muslims were committing human rights violations

Justice Department changes its tune on Consumer Financial Protection Bureau3/20/2017

Times have changed since the last time it filed arguments on the matter

Reporters often banned from public meetings even though it's unconstitutional3/1/2017

Last week's White House event became notorious but locking out reporters is common

Sears, Kmart dump Trump Home items, citing lagging sales2/13/2017

The move follows Nordstrom's cancellation of Ivanka Trump's clothing line-up last week

There's growing concern about a trade war with China2/9/2017

President Trump is being urged to carefully consider the consequences

Steve Forbes labels border adjustment tax idea 'crazy'2/8/2017

Says it will cost U.S. consumers $100 billion a year

Trade associations oppose Trump's blocking of new hazmat rules2/8/2017

Not every industry wants to overturn every regulation

Tech sector condemns Trump border closings1/30/2017

Tech company leaders offer jobs, housing, and other aid to those affected by Trump's action

Trump promises to do a 'big number' on Dodd-Frank1/30/2017

The consumer protection measure stifles business, hurts consumers, he argues

Private prison industry sees big leap in stock price under Trump administration1/26/2017

For-profit prisons stand to gain from Trump's immigration policies

Trump names new acting chair of the FTC1/26/2017

Maureen Ohlhausen, a Republican, has been on the commission since 2012

State attorneys general defend Consumer Financial Protection Bureau1/25/2017

AGs from 17 states have filed a motion defending the bureau against its attackers

Trump Administration: Day One1/20/2017

No more promises, a new administration begins. What happens next?

FTC chairwoman Edith Ramirez resigns1/13/2017

Top appointees are leaving their posts as the Obama Administration winds down

GOP group releases hit list of 200 rules, regs it wants to deep six12/16/2016

The rules on safety, health, environmental, and financial issues have been "devastating," House Freedom Caucus says

Realtors, immigration lawyers, may benefit from Trump victory11/11/2016

But Clinton voters contemplating Canada may not find a welcome mat

Transportation projects may get underway in the Trump Era11/10/2016

Infrastructure upgrades, airline protectionism may be high on the new administration's agenda

What a Trump presidency may mean for your pocketbook11/9/2016

What kind of change will the 'change candidate' bring?

Ride-sharing companies offer special deals for election day11/7/2016

Uber, Lyft, and Zipcar are all giving discounts to travelers making their way to vote

How to immigrate to Canada10/31/2016

Either Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump supporters may find this helpful

Trump backs higher taxes for top earners5/9/2016

Publicly backs away from 25% tax bracket for top income producers

Trump healthcare policy has elements to delight and horrify both parties3/3/2016

Candidate would allow consumers to deduct healthcare premiums from taxes

Clinton vows to take action on gun violence10/5/2015

Study finds gun ownership declining, political influence of the gun lobby possibly waning

Homeland Security Looking at RFID Technology to Track Individuals2/22/2006