Government Policy and Law

Faced with a looming deadline, lawmakers launched a crucial week of debt-reduction talks today, seeking to break through differences on taxes and health care, Reuters reported.

Vice President Joe Biden met on Capitol Hill with …

The U.S. Supreme Court, in a ruling that will mean new limits on class-action suits, ruled that Wal-Mart Stores Inc. can’t be sued for discrimination on behalf of potentially 1 million female workers, Bloomberg reported.…

Some of the nation’s largest corporations have amassed vast profits outside the country and are pressing Congress and the Obama administration for a tax break to bring the money home, The New York Times reported.…

Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin announced that a nearly $1.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency will help pay for completed and pending repairs to the city of Des …

Cheri Bustos, vice president of communications with Iowa Health System, plans to resign that position to pursue a bid for the Democratic nomination in Illinois’ 17th Congressional District, the Quad-Cities Times reported. “My plan is …

The Senate on Tuesday voted against killing off $6 billion in tax breaks for ethanol producers in a vote highlighting the power of anti-tax groups, The Hill reported.

The measure was backed by Sen. Tom …

The Polk County Board of Supervisors today approved a new seven-year and seven-month lease with Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino.

Polk County will receive $15.6 million a year for rent, and additional payments will be …

Imports of low-cost items such as polyester shirts and drinking glasses face the steepest U.S. tariffs, punishing poor consumers without benefiting American manufacturers, Bloomberg reported.

“Home goods are the most heavily taxed products, and the …

The federal government should streamline permitting for construction projects and make it easier for tourists to visit the United States to help boost hiring and spur the economy, a top adviser to President Barack Obama …

The Internal Revenue Service’s e-file program reached a major milestone as it passed the one billion mark for individual tax returns processed since 1986, the agency said. The electronic filing program began as a pilot …