Republican Mitch McConnell, the Senate majority leader, has told associates that he believes President Trump committed impeachable offenses, according to a report Tuesday in the New York Times. Citing people characterized as familiar with McConnell’s thinking, the paper said McConnell, who has thus far maintained a disciplined silence about Trump’s …
Read More »Capitol Report: Congress looks to resume confirmation of Biden victory after protesters storm Capitol building in Washington
A joint session of Congress remains on recess Wednesday evening after protesters broke into the Capitol building during a joint session meant to officially confirm President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in the November presidential election, though many members say the proceedings will resume some time Wednesday night. The building was first …
Read More »Economic Report: U.S. manufacturers grow faster in December despite coronavirus surge, ISM finds
The numbers: U.S. manufacturers said business improved in December for the eight month in a row and new orders matched a pandemic high, signaling they are weathering the record coronavirus outbreak better than other major industries. The Institute for Supply Management said its manufacturing index rose to 60.7% in December from …
Read More »Economic Report: U.S. consumer sentiment deteriorates in late December
The numbers: The second and final reading of the consumer sentiment index from the University of Michigan fell to 80.7 in December from an initial 81.4 earlier in the month. The index remained higher than the 76.9 reading in November. Economists polled by MarketWatch had forecast the index would slip …
Read More »Economic Report: Consumer confidence tumbles in December to lowest level since lockdown
The numbers: Consumer confidence stumbled for the second straight month in December, hitting its lowest level since during the worst of the cornavirus lockdowns in May. The index of consumer confidence fell to 88.6 this month from a revised 92.9 in November, the Conference Board said Tuesday. Economists polled by …
Read More »Economic Report: Chicago Fed’s November national activity index points to slowdown
The numbers: The Chicago Fed’s national activity index, which is designed to gauge overall U.S. economic activity, declined to 0.27 in November from a revised 1.01 in the prior month. It is the smallest gain after the sharp decline in May. The index’s three-month moving average, which tries to smooth …
Read More »Capitol Report: McConnell says coronavirus-aid deal done, but no votes until Monday
After days of frenetic talks and only hours ahead of a government shutdown, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said late Sunday a bipartisan deal had been reached on an almost $ 900 billion coronavirus relief package. “Moments ago, in consultation with our committees, the four leaders of the Senate and …
Read More »Capitol Report: Mike Pence could ‘go rogue’ when Congress counts electoral votes, election experts warn
The campaign by President Donald Trump and his allies to cast doubt on the legitimacy of the November elections has dealt long-lasting damage to U.S. democracy and will set up the nation for more drama on Jan. 6, when Congress formally tallies the electoral votes for president, election experts said …
Read More »Economic Report: Here’s more evidence U.S. economy cooled in December
The numbers: A pair of surveys of U.S. businesses added to mounting evidence on Wednesday that the economy is slowing in the wake of a record coronavirus outbreak. IHS Markit said its “flash” survey of executives at service-oriented companies such as restaurants, financial firms and health-care providers fell to 55.3 …
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