Riley Beggin

Government shutdown begins after federal funding expires The lapse in finances means crucial government functions will shutter until lawmakers approve more money.

The first government shutdown since 2019 has begun www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

We’re likely heading into a shutdown next week, and @jacobbogage.bsky.social and I are here to help you understand it.

What do you want to know?

White House begins plan for mass firings if there’s a government shutdown The Office of Management and Budget sent a memo to federal agencies Wednesday night instructing them to plan for staff reductions, including firings.

Read the full story here: www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

The White House is instructing agencies to fire many employees — permanently — if there’s a government shutdown.

Schumer readying to fight for health care in government funding battle The apparent red line from the Senate Democratic leader comes six months after Schumer stood down in the face of another government funding battle.

Shutdown deadline T-minus 18 days: Schumer says Dems will push Republicans to reverse the Medicaid cuts from the GOP's July tax bill & extend Affordable Care Act health insurance subsidies

via @theodoricmeyer.bsky.social, @mariannasotomayor.bsky.social and I

www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

The thing that underlaid Trump’s first impeachment — impoundment — is back.

And if anyone is going to do something about it, it’s gotta happen soon.

www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

Trump budget officials claim sweeping spending power from Congress, records show Russell Vought, the White House budget director and architect of Project 2025, would have vast authority to approve or block billions in federal spending, the records show.

Newly-released records show Trump Budget officials claiming new centralized power over government spending

W/ @jacobbogage.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

New data out today from CBP says the agency collected $140.8 billion from tariffs, taxes and fees between July 20 and July 31. www.cbp.gov/newsroom/nat...

Congress has long discussed prohibiting lawmakers from trading individual stocks. Will it finally become a reality? @washingtonpost.com

Gold rush hits Trump-era Washington, from prices to the Oval Office The Trump era has seen a gold rush, with prices rising amid economic uncertainty and central banks seeking to diversify their reserve holdings.

fun read from @amackerdc.bsky.social on gold in Trump's Washington www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

White House has no plan to mandate IVF care, despite campaign pledge President Donald Trump has said he wants a “baby boom,” but critics say his administration has yet to make significant family policy changes — and that Medicaid cuts will hurt.

NEW: The Trump admin does not plan to mandate insurers provide coverage for IVF, despite pledging to do so on the campaign trail www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

GOP senators reject Trump’s pitch to use tariff revenue for ‘rebates’ Many Republican lawmakers said paying down the growing national debt was a higher priority.

The first of what will soon be many @rbeggin.bsky.social stories for @washingtonpost.com www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

It's my first day at @washingtonpost.com covering economic policy in Congress!

Working on something money-related on Capitol Hill? Add me to your lists and let me know what you think is interesting: riley.beggin (at) washpost.com

Beyond thrilled to be joining @washingtonpost.com’s stellar economic policy team! www.washingtonpost.com/pr/2025/07/1...

YouTube video by USA TODAY Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" is now law: Who are the winners and losers? | The Excerpt

youtu.be/0g5yFvR4DDM

SPECIAL | Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" is now law: Who are the winners and losers? After a furious few weeks of debate, closed door negotiations, open floor debate and deal-making, the Republican-controlled legislature has finally passed a final version of President Donald Trump’s b...

I have been camped out on The Hill for the last several weeks covering what-Trump-calls his "Big, Beautiful Bill." Which of his budget priorities made it over the finish line? I joined @USATODAY's The Excerpt to get into all the nitty-gritty. art19.com/shows/5-thin...

Elon Musk tries to nuke Trump's GOP tax plan USA TODAY Senior Congress Reporter Riley Beggin has the latest after Elon Musk launched an attack on President Donald Trump's sweeping tax and policy bill. A new analysis finds nearly 11 million Amer...

With a few viral tweets this week, Elon Musk tried to nuke Trump's GOP tax plan. I put the comments in context on today's episode of The Excerpt @usatoday.com. art19.com/shows/5-thin...

8 injured in attack on Colorado event calling for release of Israeli hostages The FBI is investigating the attack in Colorado as an act of terrorism. USA TODAY Senior Congress Reporter Riley Beggin discusses some potential changes to President Donald Trump's tax bill in the Se...

Trump's big tax bill moves ahead to potential changes in the Senate. I discuss on yesterday's episode of The Excerpt @usatoday.com art19.com/shows/5-thin...

Appeals Court allows Trump to keep tariffs while appeal plays out USA TODAY White House Reporter Zac Anderson has the latest on the trade whiplash around President Donald Trump's tariffs. A group of Deaf Americans is suing over a lack of sign language interpreters ...

There are several parts of the sweeping GOP tax bill you may not have heard of. I discuss on The Excerpt from @usatoday.com art19.com/shows/5-thin...

National Science Foundation eliminates equity division, cancels dozens more grants Driven by DOGE restructuring, the agency has cancelled more than $1 billion in grants in recent weeks.

SCOOP: National Science Foundation eliminates equity division, cancels dozens more grants www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...

Trump wants a 'big beautiful bill' to cut taxes. Will his GOP allies complicate that? Republicans are outlining their must-haves in the sprawling bill of President Donald Trump's priorities, and many of them are at odds with each other.

A guide to the competing Republican demands on Trump's tax mega-bill www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...

Trade deals possible this week but no talks with China; Scott Bessent testimony takeaways Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent made his first public appearance before lawmakers since the president's tariffs were announced.

Trade deals possible this week but no talks with China; Scott Bessent testimony takeaways www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...

Highlights so far from Treasury Sec. Bessent's testimony:

- No x-date yet, but the U.S. "will never default"
- Admin negotiating w/ 17 of the 18 top trading partners who have come with "very good offers."
- Negotiations w/ China haven't begun
- Could announce tariff deals as early as this week

Meet 5 Republicans in Congress who defined Trump's first 100 days These five lawmakers have stood out for their key roles on Capitol Hill during Trump's first 100 days in office this term.

Meet 5 Republicans in Congress who defined Trump's first 100 days www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...

$1,000 to seek asylum? House Republicans propose new immigration fees Under the plan, requests for asylum would cost $1,000, work authorization would run $500 every six months, among other fees.

Republicans are proposing a $1,000 fee for migrants to apply for asylum as part of Trump's megabill, as well as fees for work authorization or to appeal court decisions, among others. w/ @laurenvillagran.bsky.social www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...

'That's Biden:' Trump blames predecessor for economy slowing and touts his tariffs A new report shows the first decline in the U.S. economy in three years. Trump urged patience and said his tariffs will lead to boom 'like no other.'

I asked Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., what he thought of Trump blaming Biden for the weak GDP showing today.

"That will work now. It won't work six months from now," he said. "But once you get elected, you own the economy." usatoday.com/story/news/p...

Congress starts working on Trump's 'big beautiful bill' USA TODAY Senior Congress Reporter Riley Beggin breaks down what to know as the GOP starts work on a sweeping Trump priorities bill. Trump provides automakers some relief from 25% tariffs. Republica...

Congress has begun work on Donald Trump's legislative priorities. I discuss on today's episode of The Excerpt from @usatoday.com art19.com/shows/5-thin...

What to know as Congress starts working on Donald Trump's 'big beautiful bill' Expect tricky political battles ahead over the massive tax and spending bill.

What to know as Congress starts working on Donald Trump's 'big beautiful bill'
www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...

National Science Foundation eliminates hundreds of grants day after director resigns President Donald Trump's administration called the projects "wasteful DEI" funding.

More than 700 grants at the National Science Foundation were abruptly canceled Friday, the day after the agency's director resigned. www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...