United States: Fiscal & Monetary Policy

Congress faces mounting pressure to address the nation's long-term fiscal challenges, including rising debt, growing interest costs, and projected Social Security funding shortfalls. A bipartisan fiscal commission, paired with shared political risk and commitment to action, could help lawmakers tackle these critical issues before a crisis forces more painful solutions.

The executive branch possesses substantial authority to reshape federal cannabis policy without waiting for Congress. Through strategic use of existing statutes, the President could direct agencies to establish scientific pilot programs for medical and adult-use marijuana, initiate descheduling reviews, and create regulatory frameworks that demonstrate workable alternatives while building pressure for comprehensive legislative reform.

Congressional appropriators face mounting challenges as FY27 budget negotiations stall while the federal debt surpasses $40 trillion. The White House's attempt to reshape NIH grant decisions through political appointees sparked immediate pushback from key lawmakers, raising fundamental questions about executive authority over congressionally mandated funding processes.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune prioritizes advancing a short-term continuing resolution as negotiations progress between key appropriators, while President Trump and Senate Budget Committee Chair Ron Johnson pressure leadership to vote on a third reconciliation package. The path forward remains uncertain as fiscal conservatives raise concerns about deficit increases and appropriators advocate for maintaining regular order in the funding process.

Congress navigates a complex legislative landscape as the House passes a clean continuing resolution to avert a government shutdown, while simultaneously advancing a controversial third reconciliation package focused on defense and national security. With Senate Republicans divided and appropriations committees reshuffling leadership following Senator Lindsey Graham's passing, lawmakers face mounting pressure to address critical Defense Department funding shortfalls and negotiate bipartisan solutions before

Washington faces unprecedented challenges as the Senate grapples with the loss of influential Senator Lindsey Graham, ongoing leadership vacancies, and stalled appropriations negotiations. With Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticizing partisan budgeting approaches and Republicans struggling to advance spending bills, the path forward for FY27 funding remains uncertain. House leadership's announcement of a clean continuing resolution and advancement of a narrow $95 billion budget resolution add furth

The Federal Reserve Board has proposed a new "Payment Account" framework that would provide limited Federal Reserve payment system access to eligible financial institutions, including fintechs and nontraditional entities.

President Trump's Executive Order 14181 directs federal financial regulators to modernize frameworks governing fintech innovation, mandating comprehensive reviews of regulations that may impede non-bank firms' market entry...

After a record 76-day shutdown, the House unexpectedly passed the Department of Homeland Security funding measure, ending the longest funding standoff in the department's history.