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White House begins plan for mass firings if there’s a government shutdown

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Riley Beggin @rbeggin.bsky.social · 13d

We’re likely heading into a shutdown next week, and @jacobbogage.bsky.social and I are here to help you understand it.

What do you want to know?

Jacob Bogage @jacobbogage.bsky.social · 13d

A government shutdown is days away. And @rbeggin.bsky.social and I obsessing over it.

What do you want do want to know?

Will do my best to respond throughout the day.

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Riley Beggin @rbeggin.bsky.social · 13d

Read the full story here: www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

The Office of Management and Budget sent a memo to federal agencies Wednesday night instructing them to plan for staff reductions, including firings.

Schumer readying to fight for health care in government funding battle

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Riley Beggin @rbeggin.bsky.social · 13d

The White House is instructing agencies to fire many employees — permanently — if there’s a government shutdown.

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Riley Beggin @rbeggin.bsky.social · 26d

Shutdown deadline T-minus 18 days: Schumer says Dems will push Republicans to reverse the Medicaid cuts from the GOP's July tax bill & extend Affordable Care Act health insurance subsidies

via @theodoricmeyer.bsky.social, @mariannasotomayor.bsky.social and I

www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

The apparent red line from the Senate Democratic leader comes six months after Schumer stood down in the face of another government funding battle.

Trump budget officials claim sweeping spending power from Congress, records show

Reposted by Riley Beggin

Jacob Bogage @jacobbogage.bsky.social · Aug 19

The thing that underlaid Trump’s first impeachment — impoundment — is back.

And if anyone is going to do something about it, it’s gotta happen soon.

www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

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Riley Beggin @rbeggin.bsky.social · Aug 19

Newly-released records show Trump Budget officials claiming new centralized power over government spending

W/ @jacobbogage.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

Russell Vought, the White House budget director and architect of Project 2025, would have vast authority to approve or block billions in federal spending, the records show.

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Riley Beggin @rbeggin.bsky.social · Aug 15

New data out today from CBP says the agency collected $140.8 billion from tariffs, taxes and fees between July 20 and July 31. www.cbp.gov/newsroom/nat...

Riley Beggin @rbeggin.bsky.social · Aug 14

Gold rush hits Trump-era Washington, from prices to the Oval Office

Riley Beggin @rbeggin.bsky.social · Aug 14

Congress has long discussed prohibiting lawmakers from trading individual stocks. Will it finally become a reality? @washingtonpost.com

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Riley Beggin @rbeggin.bsky.social · Aug 14

fun read from @amackerdc.bsky.social on gold in Trump's Washington www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

The Trump era has seen a gold rush, with prices rising amid economic uncertainty and central banks seeking to diversify their reserve holdings.

White House has no plan to mandate IVF care, despite campaign pledge

Riley Beggin @rbeggin.bsky.social · Aug 14

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Riley Beggin @rbeggin.bsky.social · Aug 3

NEW: The Trump admin does not plan to mandate insurers provide coverage for IVF, despite pledging to do so on the campaign trail www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

President Donald Trump has said he wants a “baby boom,” but critics say his administration has yet to make significant family policy changes — and that Medicaid cuts will hurt.

GOP senators reject Trump’s pitch to use tariff revenue for ‘rebates’

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Reposted by Riley Beggin

Mike Madden @mikemadden.bsky.social · Jul 31

The first of what will soon be many @rbeggin.bsky.social stories for @washingtonpost.com www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

Many Republican lawmakers said paying down the growing national debt was a higher priority.

Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" is now law: Who are the winners and losers? | The Excerpt

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Riley Beggin @rbeggin.bsky.social · Jul 21

It's my first day at @washingtonpost.com covering economic policy in Congress!

Working on something money-related on Capitol Hill? Add me to your lists and let me know what you think is interesting: riley.beggin (at) washpost.com

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Riley Beggin @rbeggin.bsky.social · Jul 14

Beyond thrilled to be joining @washingtonpost.com’s stellar economic policy team! www.washingtonpost.com/pr/2025/07/1...

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Riley Beggin @rbeggin.bsky.social · Jul 10

youtu.be/0g5yFvR4DDM

YouTube video by USA TODAY

youtu.be

Riley Beggin @rbeggin.bsky.social · Jul 10

I have been camped out on The Hill for the last several weeks covering what-Trump-calls his "Big, Beautiful Bill." Which of his budget priorities made it over the finish line? I joined @USATODAY's The Excerpt to get into all the nitty-gritty. art19.com/shows/5-thin...

SPECIAL | Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" is now law: Who are the winners and losers?

After a furious few weeks of debate, closed door negotiations, open floor debate and deal-making, the Republican-controlled legislature has finally passed a final version of President Donald Trump’s b...

Elon Musk tries to nuke Trump's GOP tax plan

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Riley Beggin @rbeggin.bsky.social · Jun 5

With a few viral tweets this week, Elon Musk tried to nuke Trump's GOP tax plan. I put the comments in context on today's episode of The Excerpt @usatoday.com. art19.com/shows/5-thin...

USA TODAY Senior Congress Reporter Riley Beggin has the latest after Elon Musk launched an attack on President Donald Trump's sweeping tax and policy bill. A new analysis finds nearly 11 million Amer...

8 injured in attack on Colorado event calling for release of Israeli hostages

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Riley Beggin @rbeggin.bsky.social · Jun 3

Trump's big tax bill moves ahead to potential changes in the Senate. I discuss on yesterday's episode of The Excerpt @usatoday.com art19.com/shows/5-thin...

The FBI is investigating the attack in Colorado as an act of terrorism. USA TODAY Senior Congress Reporter Riley Beggin discusses some potential changes to President Donald Trump's tax bill in the Se...

Appeals Court allows Trump to keep tariffs while appeal plays out

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Riley Beggin @rbeggin.bsky.social · Jun 1

There are several parts of the sweeping GOP tax bill you may not have heard of. I discuss on The Excerpt from @usatoday.com art19.com/shows/5-thin...

USA TODAY White House Reporter Zac Anderson has the latest on the trade whiplash around President Donald Trump's tariffs. A group of Deaf Americans is suing over a lack of sign language interpreters ...

National Science Foundation eliminates equity division, cancels dozens more grants

Riley Beggin @rbeggin.bsky.social · May 9

SCOOP: National Science Foundation eliminates equity division, cancels dozens more grants www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...

Driven by DOGE restructuring, the agency has cancelled more than $1 billion in grants in recent weeks.

Trump wants a 'big beautiful bill' to cut taxes. Will his GOP allies complicate that?

Riley Beggin @rbeggin.bsky.social · May 9

A guide to the competing Republican demands on Trump's tax mega-bill www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...

Republicans are outlining their must-haves in the sprawling bill of President Donald Trump's priorities, and many of them are at odds with each other.

Trade deals possible this week but no talks with China; Scott Bessent testimony takeaways

Riley Beggin @rbeggin.bsky.social · May 6

Trade deals possible this week but no talks with China; Scott Bessent testimony takeaways www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent made his first public appearance before lawmakers since the president's tariffs were announced.

Riley Beggin @rbeggin.bsky.social · May 6

Highlights so far from Treasury Sec. Bessent's testimony:

- No x-date yet, but the U.S. "will never default"
- Admin negotiating w/ 17 of the 18 top trading partners who have come with "very good offers."
- Negotiations w/ China haven't begun
- Could announce tariff deals as early as this week

Meet 5 Republicans in Congress who defined Trump's first 100 days

Riley Beggin @rbeggin.bsky.social · May 5

Meet 5 Republicans in Congress who defined Trump's first 100 days www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...

These five lawmakers have stood out for their key roles on Capitol Hill during Trump's first 100 days in office this term.