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.

'Christmas cliff' looms for millions of Americans on the verge of losing their unemployment benefits

It’s being called the “Christmas Cliff.” On Dec. 26, millions of Americans are set to lose their unemployment benefits amid the coronavirus pandemic, adding another layer of stress for those who are jobless this holiday.

Silver Lining: Prices of precious metals soar during COVID-19 pandemic

With prices for the precious metal soaring to near record highs, that old chain or single earring collecting dust in your jewelry box is worth more than ever

Unemployment claims jump to 853,000 amid resurgence of COVID-19

The number of people applying for unemployment aid jumped last week to 853,000, the most since September, evidence that some companies are cutting more jobs as new virus cases spiral higher.

New White House offer adds $600 stimulus checks to COVID-19 relief

It proposes the $600 direct payment for individuals and $1,200 for couples, which is half the payment delivered by the March pandemic relief bill.

US economy will return to pre-pandemic levels by second-half of 2021, experts predict

The U.S. economy's growth is likely slowing as 2020 comes to a close, but a growing number of economists expect it to claw back to its pre-pandemic strength by the second half of next year.

Employers add a modest 245,000 jobs in November as coronavirus pandemic intensifies

America’s employers scaled back their hiring last month as the viral pandemic accelerated across the country, adding 245,000 jobs, the fewest since April and the fifth straight monthly slowdown.