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Brookings Institution @brookings.edu · 17h

Should student loan borrowers with small balances wait 30 years for forgiveness?

Sarah Reber explores how shortening the forgiveness timeline for low-balance borrowers could provide meaningful relief and support college access.

The value of a shorter forgiveness timeline for low-balance student loan borrowers | Brookings

Shortened forgiveness timelines for low-balance borrowers effectively reduce debt burdens and encourage college enrollment at modest cost.

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Alex Noyes @alexhnoyes.bsky.social · 1d

Excited to share my latest @newsweek.com piece, this time with the great ⁦‪Jesse Humpal‬⁩. We outline the threat to America’s telecoms and suggest ways to harden our infrastructure | The War for America’s Networks ⁦
www.newsweek.com/the-war-for-...

The War for America’s Networks | Opinion

The next war may not begin with tanks on American shores. It has already begun with silent servers, jammed hotlines, and frozen logistics.

www.newsweek.com

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Brookings Institution @brookings.edu · 1d

The Fed’s COVID-era quantitative easing (QE)—specifically its purchase of mortgage-backed securities—was a major driver of housing inflation.

Aaron Klein explains why and calls for future QE policy to account for its inflationary impact.

Quantitative easing and housing inflation post-COVID | Brookings

Aaron Klein and Alan Cui assess the impact of the Federal Reserve's actions during the pandemic on the price of housing

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Brookings Institution @brookings.edu · 2d

"There should be concerns about how the new company, whose investors appear to be handpicked by President Trump, will handle user data, maintain consumer privacy, protect free speech, and place limits on government surveillance of social media activities," Nicol Turner Lee writes about TikTok.

TikTok may not be Chinese-owned anymore, but there still is a privacy problem | Brookings

Nicol Turner Lee discusses how President Trump's deal to keep TikTok functional in the U.S. doesn't assuage all privacy concerns.

www.brookings.edu

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The Hamilton Project @hamiltonproject.org · 2d

SNAP supports both families and the economy during recessions. But the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s SNAP cuts will make the program substantially and detrimentally less responsive to economic downturns, @laurenhlb.bsky.social and Diane Schanzenbach warn.

SNAP cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will significantly impair recession response - The Hamilton Project

Lauren Bauer and Diane Schanzenbach analyze how SNAP cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will affect the program’s response to recessions.

www.hamiltonproject.org

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Brookings Institution @brookings.edu · 2d

The Trump administration has expanded tariffs to include lumber, cabinets, and pharmaceuticals.

A newly updated tracker by Joshua Meltzer and Dozie Ezi-Ashi highlights changes in U.S. trade-weighted tariffs and a timeline of key developments.

Tracking Trump's tariffs and other trade actions | Brookings

This tariff tracker keeps tabs on key U.S. tariffs and trade deals, as well as retaliatory trade actions by other countries.

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David Wessel @davidmwessel.bsky.social · 3d

It's tough to keep track of what Trump is doing. We've collected some of the outfits tracking Trump’s actions on tariffs, the environment, immigration, and more www.brookings.edu/articles/tra... via Chase Perry @brookings.edu Hutchins Center

Tracking Trump's actions on tariffs, the environment, immigration, and more | Brookings

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Brookings Institution @brookings.edu · 3d

📈 Tariffs are impacting America’s housing crisis.

Elena Patel, Robert McClelland, and John Wong estimate that recent trade policies could add $30B to residential construction costs, with 90% affecting new homes and apartments.

Recent tariffs threaten residential construction | Brookings

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Brookings Institution @brookings.edu · 5d

Universal school choice programs are expanding—but who benefits most?

Analisa Pines, Jon Valant, and Nicolas Zerbino examine six states and find that without income-based restrictions, these programs disproportionately benefit wealthy families.

Universal school choice programs mostly benefit the wealthy unless policymakers act to prevent it | Brookings

Authors analyze six states’ universal school choice programs, showing how income rules shape who benefits most.

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The Hamilton Project @hamiltonproject.org · 7d

October is Head Start Awareness Month.

In this #FigureFriday paper, @laurenhlb.bsky.social and Diane Schanzenbach explore Head Start’s impact on both its participants and their children: www.hamiltonproject.org/publication/...

Figure 1 of "The long-term impact of the Head Start program"

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Brookings Institution @brookings.edu · 7d

China is adapting to U.S. tariffs by shifting trade through Mexico and Canada.

Joshua Meltzer and Maricarmen Barron Esper outline how transshipment, supply chain integration, and foreign investment are reshaping trade flows—and why trilateral cooperation is needed.

Is China circumventing US tariffs via Mexico and Canada? | Brookings

Joshua P. Meltzer and Maricarmen Barron Esper examine the data on Chinese circumvention of U.S. tariffs via Canada and Mexico.

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Brookings Institution @brookings.edu · 7d

"Despite fears of an imminent AI jobs apocalypse, the overall labor market shows more continuity than immediate collapse."

A new report by Molly Kinder and @budgetlab.bsky.social analyzes changes in America's occupational mix to explore the potential effects of AI on the labor market.

New data show no AI jobs apocalypse—for now | Brookings

Our data show stability, not disruption, in AI’s labor market impacts—for now. But that could change at any point.

www.brookings.edu

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Brookings Institution @brookings.edu · 8d

What does “public interest” mean in today’s media landscape? In a new episode of The Current, former FCC Chair Tom Wheeler joins to discuss media consolidation, free speech, and the FCC’s evolving role.

What’s the FCC’s role in regulating broadcast content in an era of media consolidation? | Brookings

On this episode — a look at the shifting landscape of media regulation, consolidation, and the ongoing debate over free speech in the wake of Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension from his late-night talk show an...

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Brookings Institution @brookings.edu · 8d

Is the credibility of U.S. government data under threat?

In a new episode of The Current, Ben Harris explains why reliable federal statistics—like unemployment and inflation—are essential for a well-functioning economy.

Is the credibility of US government data at risk? Why it matters to everyone. | Brookings

The credibility of U.S. federal government data may seem an arcane topic, but it is critical for a well-functioning economy. To explore the importance of reliable economic data and potential challenge...

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Brookings Institution @brookings.edu · 9d

New research in the Brookings Papers on Economic Activity finds climate change is already imposing financial burdens on U.S. households—especially in low-income communities.

Estimated annual costs range from $220 to over $1,000 per household.

Who bears the burden of climate inaction? | Brookings

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Brookings Institution @brookings.edu · 10d

Is the U.S. military losing its edge? Michael O’Hanlon examines claims about a decline in the military’s fighting spirit, finding that, while challenges exist, the strength and excellence of the armed forces remain intact.

Pete Hegseth’s faux diagnosis of a crisis in America’s warrior spirit | Brookings

Hegseth’s first instinct should be to follow the Hippocratic Oath and do no harm to a system and an institution that remain excellent.

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Brookings Institution @brookings.edu · 10d

"Rising tariffs and the United States’ retreat from international trade may threaten the dollar’s status as the world’s safe haven and anchor currency," warns a new Brookings Papers on Economic Activity analysis.

Trade war and the dollar anchor | Brookings

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Brookings Institution @brookings.edu · 11d

A new Brookings Papers on Economic Activity study examines how social comparisons and intensive parenting may be fueling an “educational arms race”—raising the cost of childrearing and contributing to declining fertility rates worldwide ⬇️

Policy concerns in an era of low fertility | Brookings

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David Wessel @davidmwessel.bsky.social · 13d

Updated: What is a government shutdown? www.brookings.edu/articles/wha... From the Hutchins Center Explains series @brookings.edu

Government Shutdowns: Causes and Effects

David Wessel explains the causes and effects of government shutdowns and their impact on services.

www.brookings.edu

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Brookings Institution @brookings.edu · 14d

Federal downsizing is triggering economic shifts in the DC region. Brookings' new DMV Monitor highlights rising unemployment, slowing venture capital, and surging housing inventory.

Read the analysis and explore the tracker 👇

Early warning signs for the DC region’s economy amid federal downsizing | Brookings

Federal transformation is creating real turmoil in the DMV regional economy. In the coming months, we will continue to monitor both the challenges and opportunities of this transformation.

www.brookings.edu

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Brookings Institution @brookings.edu · 14d

President Trump announced a 100% tariff on branded or patented drugs starting October 1 – unless the drugmaker is building a manufacturing plant in the U.S.

Read Marta Wosińska's explainer from earlier this year to understand the impact this could have on prices and onshoring.

Will pharmaceutical tariffs achieve their goals?

Marta Wosińska explains the likely impact of pharmaceutical tariffs on drug prices, onshoring, drug shortages, and derisking from China.

www.brookings.edu

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David Wessel @davidmwessel.bsky.social · 14d

Why do muni transit systems pay so much for buses? And what can be done about it? Via @brookings.edu and AEI Ed Glaeser & Samantha Silverberg www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Why US Cities Pay Too Much for Transit Buses

A new paper argues that lack of competition, demand for custom features and “Buy America” rules have driven up costs for transit agencies in the US.

www.bloomberg.com

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Joshua White @joshuatwhite.bsky.social · 15d

My latest @brookings.edu analysis: "The signal and substance of the new Saudi-Pakistan defense pact" www.brookings.edu/articles/the...

The signal and substance of the new Saudi-Pakistan defense pact | Brookings

Countries across the region may rightly view the Saudi-Pakistan defense pact as a hedge against over-dependence on great powers, and may well seek to do the same.

www.brookings.edu

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Kimberly Clausing @kclausing.bsky.social · 15d

🧵 (1/7) With @knittelmit.bsky.social and @cwolfram.bsky.social, happy to announce our new paper on “Who Bears the Burden of Climate Inaction?”, just posted for BPEA @brookings.edu.

We find large climate cost impacts that vary by both geography and income.

www.brookings.edu/articles/who...

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Brookings Institution @brookings.edu · 15d

Despite sweeping federal policy changes, HBCUs have remained largely insulated under the Trump administration—for now. Andre M. Perry and co-authors explain why, and warn of future risks.

The Trump administration’s actions on higher education aren’t impacting HBCUs—yet | Brookings

While the One Big Beautiful Bill Act does not directly threaten HBCU funding or institutional powers, its drastic budget cuts will directly alter the economic realities of the students HBCUs aim to se...

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