Supreme Court appears skeptical of Biden’s student debt relief plan

President Joe Biden’s plan to forgive student loan debt for tens of millions of Americans seems to be in danger based on oral arguments at the Supreme Court on Tuesday. A majority of justices appeared dubious about the Biden administration’s pandemic-related legal justification for the sweeping debt relief program, which offered up to $20,000 of loan forgiveness per borrower....

Read More

GOP, Manchin look to nullify ‘woke’ Biden rule

GOP lawmakers are escalating their war on "woke" capitalism this week, with House and Senate votes to repeal a Biden administration policy that enables investment managers to factor climate change and social goals into retirement savings decisions. Republicans, with help from at least one moderate Democrat, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, may succeed in passing the rollback...

Read More

Still ‘no consensus’ on Covid’s origins, White House says

The U.S. government still has not reached a consensus on how the coronavirus pandemic started, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters Monday — despite news reports that the Energy Department has concluded the virus most likely leaked from a lab in China. "The intelligence community and the rest of the government is still looking at this,” Kirby said. “There’s not been a definitive conclusion, so it’s difficult for me to...

Read More

Buttigieg ‘glad’ for federal audit on his use of government planes

The inspector general that oversees the Transportation Department is auditing Pete Buttigieg's use of government planes since becoming Transportation secretary — a move Buttigieg says he welcomes to help blunt what he called "misleading narratives" from conservatives about whether he abuses them. "Glad this will be reviewed independently so misleading narratives can be put...

Read More

Feds looking to block $13 billion mortgage software deal

The Federal Trade Commission is expected to challenge the $13 billion takeover of mortgage data company Black Knight by financial services giant Intercontinental Exchange, according to three people with direct knowledge of the matter. A case is expected to be filed some time in March, said the people, who were granted anonymity to discuss a confidential matter. The FTC believes...

Read More

DeSantis appoints political backers to new Disney oversight board

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday appointed members to a new board that oversees much of Disney World’s day-to-day operations, settling a long-running conflict with the entertainment giant over Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” law. DeSantis announced the five appointees, all political donors and loyalists, at a ceremony where he signed legislation that, in large part,...

Read More

Yellen makes surprise trip to Ukraine

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen made an unannounced trip to Kyiv on Monday to emphasize the Biden administration’s continued support for Ukraine as the country prepares for Russia’s highly-anticipated spring offensive. “I bring to Kyiv a clear message from President Biden and the American people: We will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes,” Yellen said during a meeting...

Read More