Unemployment benefit claims unexpectedly fall as coronavirus lockdowns widen

The number of Americans filing for first-time unemployment benefits fell last week amid a rise in COVID-19 infections and new restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of the disease.

McConnell blocks immediate Democratic push for $2,000 stimulus checks

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday blocked Democrats' push to immediately bring President Donald Trump's demand for bigger $2,000 COVID-19 relief checks up for a vote.

McConnell praises Trump for signing COVID-19, government funding bills

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell praised President Trump late Sunday for signing a $900 billion pandemic package and a $1.4 trillion government funding bill to avert a government shutdown.

New coronavirus relief bill saves unemployment benefits for 500k Pennsylvanians

Unemployment benefits for an estimated 500,000 Pennsylvanians will be saved after President Donald Trump announced Sunday night he will sign the $900B relief package.

Unemployment benefits set to expire as COVID relief bill remains unsigned by Trump

Unemployment benefits for millions of Americans struggling to make ends meet were set to lapse at midnight Saturday night unless President Donald Trump signed an end-of-year COVID relief and spending bill that had been considered a done deal before his sudden objections.

'It does break my heart a little bit': A bleak Christmas for America's unemployed

Millions of Americans have been jobless since the viral pandemic ripped through the U.S. economy in March, triggering a deep recession and causing widespread unemployment.

House GOP, Dems stymie requests to reconsider stimulus, spending package after Trump grievances

House Republicans and Democrats Thursday blocked each others' "unanimous consent" requests put forward after President Trump aired grievances to the massive coronavirus stimulus and government funding package.

House Dems will try to pass $2,000 stimulus checks this week after Trump signals support

House Democrats are planning to force a vote this week on increasing the size of the stimulus checks included in the $900 billion coronavirus relief package after President Trump demanded Congress raise the payments from $600 to $2,000 per adult.

Layoffs remain elevated as 803,000 seek unemployment aid

The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell by 89,000 last week to a still-elevated 803,000, evidence that the job market remains under stress nine months after the coronavirus outbreak sent the U.S. economy into recession and caused millions of layoffs.

Trump asks Congress to amend $900B COVID-19 relief bill, increase stimulus checks to $2,000

The bill that was passed by Congress establishes a temporary $300 per week supplemental jobless benefit and a $600 direct stimulus payment to most Americans, but President Donald Trump said he wants lawmakers to increase the check amounts to $2,000 per person or $4,000 for married couples.

How much are the stimulus payments and who will get them?

Congress is expected to pass a $900 billion COVID relief bill that includes another round of stimulus checks for most Americans after top negotiators reached a deal over the weekend.

Congress nears deal on almost $1 trillion COVID-19 relief package

An arcane battle over emergency Federal Reserve powers is frustrating efforts to lock down an agreement on an almost $1 trillion COVID-19 economic relief package.

US jobless claims rise to 885,000 amid resurgence of coronavirus

The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose again last week to 885,000 as a resurgence of coronavirus cases threatens the economy’s recovery.

Delay in deal on COVID-19 relief, 2nd stimulus check may force weekend sessions for Congress

Congressional negotiators are closing in on a $900 billion COVID-19 economic relief package that would deliver $300-per-week jobless checks and $600 stimulus payments to most Americans.

Congress nears agreement on 2nd stimulus check in long-delayed COVID-19 relief deal

The $908 billion bipartisan package would extend direct payments of $500-$600 to most Americans but would deny long-sought aid to state and local governments.