Budgets

Former Treasury secretary and current Harvard professor Larry Summers listens to remarks during a discussion on low-income developing countries at the annual IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings, April 13, 2016, in Washington, DC. / AFP / Mike Theiler (Photo credit should read MIKE THEILER/AFP via Getty Images)

Larry Summers and the Crisis of Economic Orthodoxy Larry Summers and the Crisis of Economic Orthodoxy

The establishment’s repeated failures are creating room for heterodox ideas.

Jun 16, 2023 / Jeet Heer

Biden and McCarthy sitting in chairs in the Oval Office

Next Time, Dammit, Just Default Next Time, Dammit, Just Default

Democrats feared a monster called “default”—but it’s just another Washington scare story.

Jun 9, 2023 / James K. Galbraith for The Nation

Student loan borrowers and advocates gather for the People's Rally to Cancel Student Debt during the Supreme Court hearings on Student Debt Relief on February 28, 2023, in Washington, D.C.

Congress Is Sticking Students With the Check Congress Is Sticking Students With the Check

The recent debt agreement will abolish the pandemic-era pause on student debt repayments—hitting the youngest generation of voters the hardest.

Jun 6, 2023 / Chris Lehmann

The US Capitol in Washington, DC, US, on Friday, June 2, 2023. The Senate passed legislation to suspend the US debt ceiling and impose restraints on government spending through the 2024 election, ending a drama that threatened a global financial crisis. Photographer: Nathan Howard/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Once More, the Washington Debt Ceiling Ritual Ends in a Lousy Deal Once More, the Washington Debt Ceiling Ritual Ends in a Lousy Deal

What cuts there are come in all the wrong places.

Jun 5, 2023 / Katrina vanden Heuvel

Representatives Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Pramila Jayapal D-Wash.), and Cori Bush (D-Mo.) talk with reporters outside the U.S. Capitol after the House passed the Fiscal Responsibility Act

Here’s Why Principled Progressives Opposed a Cruel and Destructive Debt Ceiling Deal Here’s Why Principled Progressives Opposed a Cruel and Destructive Debt Ceiling Deal

These Democrats defied their president and their party leaders to vote against a deal that harms families, the poor, and the environment.

Jun 2, 2023 / John Nichols

American 100 Dollar Bills Above U.S. Capitol

Democrats Settled for a Raw Deal Democrats Settled for a Raw Deal

Biden’s concession to the House Freedom Caucus on the debt ceiling is nothing to celebrate.

May 31, 2023 / Chris Lehmann

Joe Biden delivers remarks in the Roosevelt Room of the White House

There’s Never a Debt Ceiling for the Military-Industrial Complex There’s Never a Debt Ceiling for the Military-Industrial Complex

While the Biden-McCarthy deal denies food to hungry people, it increases Pentagon spending by tens of billions.

May 31, 2023 / John Nichols

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and President Joe Biden meet at the White House to discuss the debt ceiling.

The Reagan-Era Roots of Democratic Budget Appeasement The Reagan-Era Roots of Democratic Budget Appeasement

How the Center on Budget Policy and Priorities has conducted budget negotiations in a defensive crouch 

May 24, 2023 / Max Moran

Can the British Labour Party Win Power Without a Left Wing?

Can the British Labour Party Win Power Without a Left Wing? Can the British Labour Party Win Power Without a Left Wing?

Despite being far ahead of the ruling Conservatives in the polls, Labour’s leadership seems determined to purge its way to electability.

May 24, 2023 / Rachel Shabi

Biden and McCarthy

More “Dangerous Nonsense” From “The New York Times” on the Debt Ceiling More “Dangerous Nonsense” From “The New York Times” on the Debt Ceiling

There are multiple legal pathways to resolve the current debt “crisis.” Having the president and House speaker agree on spending cuts to programs already approved by Congress is no...

May 18, 2023 / James K. Galbraith

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