Current Issues
Economic Conditions & Actions
Banking Reform Proposals
The Biden Administration released (March 30) a set of banking regulatory reform proposals in the wake of the March banking crisis that followed the collapse of Silicon ...
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Gas Prices
Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) - Refiling
The Department of Energy announced (December 16) that it plans to restart the purchasing of oil ...
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Current FED Monetary Policy
FOMC Meeting Results - May 2023
The Federal Reserve (Fed) Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) completed its most recent meeting today (May 3) and issued its monetary policy ...
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Economic Indicators (select)
Significant Developments
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by +4.0% annual rate through May, down significantly from a +4.9% annual rate through April. Month-over-month CPI less food ...
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Cryptocurrency Regulation
Treasury Report on Digital Asset Risk
The Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) of the Treasury Department released a report on “Digital Asset Financial Stability Risks and Regulation.” The FSOC ...
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Computer Chip Shortage/Manufacturing
CHIPS Act Funding Distribution Strategy
The Department of Commerce released (February 28) its detailed funding opportunity plan to guide the award and distribution of semiconductor industry grant ...
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Communications Issues
FCC Rules on Scam Texting
The FCC adopted (March 17) a set of rules that requires mobile wireless providers to block robotext messages ...
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Goods Supply Chain
Shipping Merger is Dropped
The Department of Justice successfully helped prevent the merger of two global container shipping giants after the companies abandoned an effort to merge (August 25) ...
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Research & Analysis
Report on Digital Asset Financial Stability Risks and Regulation
Financial Stability Oversight Council
This report (October 2022) details the risks to consumers, the financial system, and the economy of digital assets and connected business practices given the current regulatory regime. The report focuses especially on the impact of stablecoin digital assets.
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State Attorneys General on ESG Investing
State Attorneys General
This is a letter (August 4) signed by 19 state Attorney Generals to BlackRock, an investment firm, regarding the mangement of state pension funds and so-called Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing; specifically, ESG investing with a bias away from investments in the fossil fuels industries.
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Statement on Nature-Related Financial Risks
Network for Greening the Financial System
This statement summarizes the postions and general actions that should be taken by the worldwide financial community regarding the risks of biodiversity loss and the need for solutions such as sustainable finance.
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Federal Reserve/Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) Monetary Policy Report
Federal Reserve (Fed)
This biannual report to Congress describes the Fed's views concerning key aspects of the U.S. economy which may form the basis for its monetary policy decisions.
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Federal Reserve Beige Book
Federal Reserve (Fed)
The Beige Book is issued eight times each year, and presents anecdotal and interview information on economic conditions from the perspective of each Fed District, key business contacts, economists, market experts, and other sources.
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New Residential Sales
US Census Bureau
This is a monthly report of the US Census Bureau providing the latest national single family home sales data, including median and average prices in total and by region.
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2021 The State of the U.S. Semiconductor Industry
Semiconductor Industry Association
This is a report (2021) of the Semiconductor Industry Association detailing what it believes are the reasons for the global semiconductor shortage.
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Report on Stablecoins
President's Working Group on Financial Markets
This report (November 2021) provides analysis on the promise of Stablecoins, how they can be used to facilitate digital commerce, and specific actions needed by Congress to help oversee and adequately regulate Stablecoins.
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The Strategic Petroleum Reserve: Background, Authorities, and Considerations
Congressional Research Service (CRS)
This report (May 2020) provides key background information on the Strategic Petrolium Reserve (SPR) and summarizes a number of policy considerations including the release of amounts from the reserve to address high gasoline prices.
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Gasoline Tax
American Petroleum Institute
This website provides gasoline tax data for each U.S. state, as well as national averages.
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Key Federal Programs
Strategic Petroleum Reserve [DOE]
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$219,000,000
$242,179,000
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Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$43,300,000
Census Bureau [Commerce]
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$1,354,000,000
$1,505,070,000
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---
Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$0
Economic Development Assistance Programs [Commerce]
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$305,500,000
$43,250,000
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---
Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$3,000,000,000
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$1,999,663,000
$2,279,000,000
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---
Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$0
Brownfields Activities [EPA]
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$162,182,000
$214,778,000
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---
Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$300,000,000
Community Development Fund Activities [HUD]
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$4,841,409,000
$3,770,000,000
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---
Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$5,000,000,000
