Riley Beggin

Congressional Budget Office believed to be hacked by foreign actor The Congressional Budget Office formulates economic projections for lawmakers, and every bill taken up in either chamber of Congress gets a CBO “score” of how much it would add to the national debt.

The Congressional Budget Office is investigating what appears to be a hack by a foreign actor, four people familiar with the situation tell @washingtonpost.com's @jacobbogage.bsky.social and @rbeggin.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

Administration hints furloughed workers may not be paid after shutdown Agencies are sending messages indicating that workers who are on the job will be paid when the government reopens — with no mention of those on furlough, despite a 2019 law protecting their wages.

Agencies are sending updated messages to federal workers saying excepted workers will be paid backpay — with no mention of those who have been furloughed www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

Americans blame Trump and GOP more than Democrats for shutdown, poll finds Independents hold Trump and Republicans responsible for the shutdown by a 2-to-1 margin, according to a poll conducted by The Washington Post, ABC News and Ipsos.

NEW: Americans (still) blame Trump and GOP more than Democrats for shutdown, Post-ABC-Ipsos poll finds. But concern about the shutdown is growing, as is disapproval of Trump's management of the federal government. w/@jacobbogage.bsky.social @rbeggin.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

Senate blocks bills to pay federal workers during shutdown As the government shutdown stretches into a fourth week, lawmakers are no closer to ending it.

JUST IN via @washingtonpost.com's @rbeggin.bsky.social & @theodoricmeyer.bsky.social:

"Senate blocks bills to pay federal workers during #shutdown
As the #GovernmentShutdown stretches into a fourth week, lawmakers are no closer to ending it."
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

When will federal workers get paid? Ask us your shutdown questions. Our reporters covering the shutdown will answer your questions during a live chat on Thursday at 11 a.m. Eastern time.

The government shutdown is entering its 4th week. Join me,
@jacobbogage.bsky.social and @hannahnatanson.bsky.social
tomorrow at 11 AM ET to answer your questions live (and/or submit your questions in advance below) www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

Congress is losing its grip on the power to spend Americans’ money Congress is supposed to control spending, but increasingly, the White House is dictating how America’s money is used.

Appropriators are some of the most powerful people on Capitol Hill - but that power is slowly slipping away as the White House makes its own spending moves and Congress doesn't stand up for itself. w/ Liz Goodwin & @mariannasotomayor.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

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