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Latest in Political News

December, 2019

White House says ‘phase one’ trade agreement with China will double exports

But China has yet to spell out exactly how many U.S. products it will buy

China to ban all American-made hardware and software in government and public offices

The global interconnectedness of the internet could be at stake if other countries follow suit

Bernie Sanders unveils plan to expand access to affordable internet

The 2020 presidential candidate wants to break up internet and cable monopolies

Food stamp program rule change would require more consumers to work for benefits

The new policy will cause nearly 700,000 current SNAP recipients to lose their benefits

Trump suggests trade deal with China might not take place until after the 2020 election

The President says he has ‘no deadline’ for the deal

November, 2019

Senate passes spending bill to avert a government shutdown

The House and Senate must still reach an agreement by next month on how to spend the money

Twitter releases final details of political advertisement policy

Paid promotion of political content will be prohibited, but there will be an exemption for cause-based ads

October, 2019

Twitter to ban all political ads on its platform

‘Political message reach should be earned, not bought,’ said CEO Jack Dorsey

U.S. to impose tariffs on $7.5 billion in European imports

The announcement comes amid increasing economic uncertainty

September, 2019

Bernie Sanders unveils new corporate tax proposal

Companies with large pay gaps between executives and workers would be subject to the ‘Income Inequality Tax’

Politics still a major source of stress for many consumers

Some consumers are losing sleep and experiencing suicidal thoughts

FTC struts its consumer-oriented focus in front of two Congressional subcommittees

Data privacy, anti-competitive behavior, and other consumer interests highlighted the testimonies

More human-like online bots could make fakes harder to detect in upcoming elections

Researchers say fake accounts are adopting human behaviors

Trump administration lifts tariffs on more than 400 Chinese products

China said it sees the move as a ‘goodwill signal’

Two lawmakers request documents related to investigation into California automaker pact

Lawmakers say the probe appears to ‘target perceived political adversaries of the president’

Congress to press DOJ and FTC officials about their handling of Big Tech

Lawmakers want regulators to act more swiftly and decidedly to ensure that consumers are being protected

Business leaders push for gun control action

The leaders of nearly 150 U.S. companies say doing nothing is ‘simply unacceptable’

Elizabeth Warren proposes plan to increase Social Security payouts

It’s not now or never, but an economist says the system is broken and may be headed for disaster

Trump steps up efforts to privatize Fannie and Freddie

Officials claim the current system is not sustainable

August, 2019

Facebook reinforces its rules for U.S. political advertisers ahead of the 2020 election

The social media titan is determined to keep the 2020 election from becoming a deja vu of 2016

President Trump raises tariffs on Chinese imports to 30 percent

In the absence of trade talk progress, tariffs continue to rise

China imposes retaliatory tariffs on $75 billion worth of U.S. goods

The move escalates the ongoing U.S.-China trade war

Huawei granted temporary exemption from U.S. blacklist

The banned Chinese telecom giant has another 90 days to service existing handsets

Nearly half of social media users are tired of seeing political posts

With over a year to go before the presidential election, many users say they’re ‘worn out’

July, 2019

New proposal could allow lower-cost prescription drugs to be imported from Canada

The result could save consumers money through more competitive drug prices

President signs bill extending health benefits for 9/11 first responders

The issue got a boost last month from comedian Jon Stewart

Senators introduce bill that would bar Trump from lifting restrictions on Huawei

Lawmakers in both parties are concerned about Trump’s talk of easing sanctions on Huawei

June, 2019

U.S. government may have a strategy for breaking up Big Tech

Assistant attorney general says ‘consumer harm’ is not the only antitrust test

White House reportedly rethinking ban on Huawei products

The Trump administration is asking Congress to hold its fire, at least for now

Senate Republicans push back against threatened Mexican tariffs

The White House has been warned it faces a major defeat in Congress

May, 2019

White House threatens surprise tariff on imports from Mexico

The tariff starts June 10 unless Mexico stops illegal crossings into the U.S.

Huawei files motion to overturn U.S. ban

The Chinese telecom giant says it’s being singled out for punitive treatment

Lawmakers introduce bill to prevent hot car deaths

The bill calls for a safety alert that would tell the driver when a passenger is still in the car

Trump Administration pledges $16 billion to farmers affected by trade dispute

The government plans to start sending money directly to farmers starting this summer

Nevada legislature passes law to circumvent the Electoral College

The state joins 14 others that would elect presidents based on popular vote

U.S., Mexico, and Canada moving ahead with North American trade deal

All three nations have agreed to lift tariffs on steel and aluminum

Trump declares national emergency to protect IT infrastructure

The move appears to be directed at China’s Huawei Telecom

U.S.-China trade war heats up and consumers are in the line of fire

Trump’s threat of more tariffs is met with the same from China

Senators reintroduce bill to boost government use of AI

The 2019 version of the legislation is supported by several major technology companies

Focusing on the source can help consumers avoid ‘fake news’

Researchers say consumers’ gut reactions can often hinge on where they pick up information

April, 2019

Elizabeth Warren proposes wiping out student loan debt

The plan would also make public colleges free to attend

FCC will block China Mobile from providing services in the U.S.

The agency said it is acting on national security concerns

Most Americans don’t support Warren’s plan to break up big tech companies

A recent survey shows 68 percent believe such decisions should be left to the free market

March, 2019

Florida allows smokable weed two years after voters legalized it

The state's previous governor had banned smokable pot, despite high voter approval for legalization

Elizabeth Warren proposes breaking up big tech companies

Countering the influence of large tech companies would give tech entrepreneurs a fighting chance, Warren says

Fed’s Beige Book finds the government shutdown impacted the economy

But in spite of the shutdown, the economy expanded in January and February

JPMorgan will stop funding private prison industry

Lawmakers recently threatened to hold hearings into the relationship between immigrant detention and big banks

Bernie Sanders steps up his campaign against $375,000 drug

The lawmaker is urging the FDA to allow all drug companies to make a cheaper version

February, 2019

Elizabeth Warren unveils federal child care proposal

The Universal Child Care and Early Learning Act would aim to reduce the ‘painfully high’ cost of child care

Trump to sign compromise spending bill to avert government shutdown

The president will declare an emergency to secure funds for a border wall

Congressional negotiators reach compromise on border wall

But will it be enough to head off another government shutdown?

Trump signs ‘American AI Initiative’ in executive order

The program aims to bolster U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence

White House official won’t rule out another government shutdown

Acting chief of staff says the president still wants funding for a border wall

Democrats press FCC for more oversight

Key lawmakers say the agency hasn’t been responsive to consumers

Bernie Sanders presses drug company for answers about $375,000 a year drug

The senator says the drug to treat a rare disease was once free

January, 2019

The government is open, but for how long?

Trump says it will close again in three weeks if he doesn’t get wall funding

Partial government shutdown cost the economy $11 billion

About $3 billion is permanently lost, according to a report from the Congressional Budget Office

Dueling measures to end partial government shutdown both fail in Senate

Neither plan garnered the votes needed to pass

Senate to consider competing bills to reopen the government

It could be but the first step in negotiating an end to the longest government shutdown in history

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai refuses to talk to lawmakers about phone tracking during shutdown

The former Verizon attorney declined to participate in an emergency investigation into carriers’ handling of location data

A new bill would give federal workers financial relief and protection during the shutdown

Government workers would be given safe harbor on everything from rent to student loans

FDA stops routine inspections of food amid shutdown

Without paychecks, FDA workers were unable to investigate high risk food this week

Trump taking steps to send out IRS refunds in spite of government shutdown

Whether the administration can legally do that is in question

Government shutdown wreaks havoc with travel

Airports, national parks, and others take a $100 million hit per day

House Democrats pass package aimed at ending partial government shutdown

On their first day, the new Democratic House majority made a move to reopen the government

FCC confirms two new commissioners

The new additions bring the total to three Republicans and two Democrats

FCC to halt most operations on Thursday if government shutdown continues

The agency is prepared to initiate an ‘orderly shutdown’ later this week

December, 2018

No end in sight for government shutdown

The White House and congressional Democrats are digging in

Trump mulling executive order to bar usage of Huawei and ZTE equipment

The order would represent the Trump administration’s latest effort to cut Huawei and ZTE out of the U.S. market

States seek to block new rules that could limit access to birth control

Fourteen attorneys general have filed for a preliminary injunction to stop the rules from taking effect

Congressional committee calls Mick Mulvaney to testify about consumer concerns

The tug-of-war over controlling vs. championing consumer interests begins again

Congress votes to free hemp from Drug Enforcement Agency’s grip

The new Farm Bill would remove hemp from the Controlled Substances Act to make way for more cultivation

Facebook is ‘looking into’ why it deleted post from an ex-manager who says the platform censors black people

Mark Luckie wrote that Facebook fails its black customers and black employees

November, 2018

Facebook goes into damage control in wake of New York Times article

The company denies allegations that it failed to react to Russian meddling

Voters in Missouri and Arkansas raise the minimum wage

The issue drew both Republican and Democratic votes

Facebook pulls more accounts hours before midterms

The accounts were linked to ‘coordinated inauthentic behavior'

October, 2018

Consumers found to be skeptical of online photos

A study shows that the majority of consumers can tell when a photo has been photoshopped

September, 2018

New tariffs on China take effect today

$200 billion in Chinese imports will likely cost more

Congress heads off latest shutdown threat

Lawmakers still have work to do before the Oct. 1 deadline

U.S. border officials warn that people who invest in legal weed could get banned from country

Canada recently legalized marijuana, but United States officials say they won’t recognize the law

Congress races to head off a government shutdown

Both sides of the aisle are working feverishly to find the money necessary to keep the government running

Mick Mulvaney expresses financial and ‘moral’ concerns over student loan debt

The CFPB acting director says many students don’t think enough about how they’ll pay their loans back

August, 2018

CFPB student loan ombudsman quits

Blistering resignation letter charges Trump administration with abandoning consumers

Sen. Elizabeth Warren unveils new bill to reshape capitalism

The bill would redistribute wealth and give more power to workers

FCC blocked from ending Tribal internet subsidy

Apples court rules the agency likely to lose its court case

Consumer agency ending routine audits of lenders

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will only act on consumer complaints

West Virginia to introduce mobile phone voting for midterm elections

State residents serving overseas will be the first to test out the new technology

July, 2018

Facebook finds groups trying to influence midterm elections

The social media site removes pages for 'inauthentic' behavior

Trump threatens government shutdown over wall funding

Most Washington insiders discount that possibility

Companies facing tariffs say they'll pass on the higher costs

Consumers are likely to pay for the trade war

Trump tweets displeasure over FCC’s blocking of the Sinclair-Tribune merger

He says the combined companies would be a 'great and much-needed conservative voice'

Auto insurers say tariff on auto parts would raise policy premiums

Industry groups are warning of tariffs' unintended consequences

FCC votes to change consumer complaint process

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

Senate approves symbolic resolution for bigger role in tariff decisions

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 companies

Democrats say the proposal could stifle consumer voices

California malls scan shoppers’ license plates and send data to ICE contractor

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 goods

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’

The country has retaliated with tariffs of its own

U.S. Chamber of Commerce launches campaign opposing Trump’s trade tariffs

The group says the new tariffs could hurt every state economically

How trade wars can lead to recessions

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

June, 2018

Oklahomans vote to legalize medical marijuana

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 enforcement

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 consumers

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

Federal judge finds Consumer Financial Protection Bureau unconstitutional

But the ruling will likely have a limited effect

Canada becomes second nation on Earth to legalize and regulate marijuana

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

Chinese investment in the United States has plummeted 92 percent this year

Mounting tensions and increased regulation are affecting deals for both countries

Supreme Court delays judgments on two partisan gerrymandering cases

The decision leaves the status quo in place until next term

Trump set to name a replacement for Mick Mulvaney at CFPB

Consumer groups don't seem to like her any better

Trump announces 25 percent tariffs on $50 billion in Chinese goods

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

Voters to decide if California should be split into three states

The proposal will be on the November ballot

Supreme Court upholds Ohio's voter purge law

Democrats challenged the law as voter suppression

CFPB dissolves current advisory committee

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’

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 exports

Oddly, the result may be lower prices for American consumers

Members of CFPB Advisory Board chastise the agency's leadership

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 network

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

May, 2018

U.S., China call a truce in trade war

Prices of many consumer products should remain stable

CFPB eliminates student loan office

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

April, 2018

Consumers may lose access to government bank complaint database

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-up

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 CFPB

The former acting director claims she was illegally removed

CFPB director urges Congress to change the agency's structure

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

Bank of America won't lend to 'assault rifle' manufacturers

The decision is similar to an action taken by Citigroup

Trump signs executive order pushing work requirements for public assistance

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

Consumers likely to pay for trade war with China

Tariff costs usually get added to the retail price

CFPB director asks Congress to reduce the agency’s power

Critics charge Mick Mulvaney with pursuing a radical agenda

March, 2018

Spending bill lacks funds to stabilize health insurance market

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

Remington files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

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

Citigroup places some restrictions on gun sales for retail clients

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 budget

The measure would avert a government shutdown at midnight on Friday

Businesses taking the lead in emerging gun control debate

The recent Florida high school shooting may represent a sea change

February, 2018

Democrats and Republicans agree on two-year budget deal

Budget increases deficit with new military and domestic spending

Congress reportedly close to two-year budget deal

The proposed agreement would avert another government shutdown

January, 2018

State of the Union speech promises increased prosperity

Trump lists economic accomplishments, says more to come

Senate votes to end government shutdown

Passing the bill will fund the government another three weeks

Democrats and Republicans at odds as government shutdown looms

Both parties blame each other

How consumers could be affected by a government shutdown

The government's spending authority ends Friday at midnight

RIP: The regulations that Trump killed in 2017

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

October, 2017

Senate votes to block lawsuits against financial services firms

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

September, 2017

Two firms that won border wall contracts were previously convicted of defrauding the U.S. government

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

August, 2017

Younger generations overtake Baby Boomers in voting numbers

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

July, 2017

Does President Trump's online conduct warrant a Twitter ban?

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

June, 2017

Groups line up against Senate healthcare bill

Measure would roll back expansion of Medicaid

Consumer groups line up to bash Treasury Department report

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

Treasury report expected to be harshly critical of consumer agency

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is targeted for disassembly and disposal

House passes bill loosening regulation of financial sector

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

May, 2017

Groups say Trump budget would hit consumers hard

Spending blueprint slashes food stamps, Medicaid, and CDC budget

Consumer groups descend on Washington to fight protection rollbacks

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

House panel votes to reduce bank regulations

The unraveling of the Obama administration continues in Congress

Study suggests worries about impact of 'fake news' are overblown

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

April, 2017

Trump's tax plan cuts rates, removes some deductions

The plan would eliminate the deduction for state and local taxes

How would a government shutdown affect you?

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 post

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

March, 2017

Justice Department changes its tune on Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

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

Reporters often banned from public meetings even though it's unconstitutional

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

February, 2017

Sears, Kmart dump Trump Home items, citing lagging sales

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

There's growing concern about a trade war with China

President Trump is being urged to carefully consider the consequences

Steve Forbes labels border adjustment tax idea 'crazy'

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

Trade associations oppose Trump's blocking of new hazmat rules

Not every industry wants to overturn every regulation

January, 2017

Tech sector condemns Trump border closings

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-Frank

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

Private prison industry sees big leap in stock price under Trump administration

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

Trump names new acting chair of the FTC

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

State attorneys general defend Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

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

Trump Administration: Day One

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

FTC chairwoman Edith Ramirez resigns

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

December, 2016

GOP group releases hit list of 200 rules, regs it wants to deep six

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

November, 2016

Realtors, immigration lawyers, may benefit from Trump victory

But Clinton voters contemplating Canada may not find a welcome mat

Transportation projects may get underway in the Trump Era

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

What a Trump presidency may mean for your pocketbook

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

Ride-sharing companies offer special deals for election day

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

October, 2016

How to immigrate to Canada

Either Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump supporters may find this helpful

May, 2016

Trump backs higher taxes for top earners

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

March, 2016

Trump healthcare policy has elements to delight and horrify both parties

Candidate would allow consumers to deduct healthcare premiums from taxes

October, 2015

Clinton vows to take action on gun violence

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

June, 2014

Op-ed: Call the morgue; environmentalists are at it again

Third World children pay a heavy price for urban environmentalists banning GMO foods

September, 2009

Senate Studies Cell Phone Cancer Risks

New international report lists '15 reasons for concern'

July, 2006

Nigeria 419: The Road to Ruin

Nigerians Hone the Art of the Scam