Feb 12, 2019 - Politics & Policy

Lawmakers say they've reached a deal to avoid another shutdown

Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.). Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Top congressional lawmakers told reporters late Monday that they have reached a bipartisan legislative agreement that would avert another partial government shutdown later this week, the Associated Press reports.

Why it matters: The news came minutes before President Trump was set to speak before a campaign-style rally in El Paso, Texas, focused on immigration and border issues. While lawmakers did not immediately release details of the agreement, which comes after budget talks collapsed over the weekend due to Democratic demands to limit the number of immigrant detentions, two Democratic Hill sources confirmed to Axios that it includes $1.375 billion for a physical border barrier with restrictions — far less than the $5.7 billion initially requested by Trump.

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How small businesses got stiffed by the coronavirus pandemic

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

The story of American businesses in the coronavirus pandemic is a tale of two markets — one made up of tech firms and online retailers as winners awash in capital, and another of brick-and-mortar mom-and-pop shops that is collapsing.

Why it matters: The coronavirus pandemic has created an environment where losing industries like traditional retail and hospitality as well as a sizable portion of firms owned by women, immigrants and people of color are wiped out and may be gone for good.

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Apple's antitrust fight turns Epic

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Millions of angry gamers may soon join the chorus of voices calling for an antitrust crackdown on Apple, as the iPhone giant faces a new lawsuit and PR blitz from Epic Games, maker of mega-hit Fortnite.

Why it matters: Apple is one of several Big Tech firms accused of violating the spirit, if not the letter, of antitrust law. A high-profile lawsuit could become a roadmap for either building a case against tech titans under existing antitrust laws or writing new ones better suited to the digital economy.

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Survey: Fears grow about Social Security’s future

Data: AARP survey of 1,441 U.S. adults conducted July 14–27, 2020 a ±3.4% margin of error at the 95% confidence level; Chart: Naema Ahmed/Axios

Younger Americans are increasingly concerned that Social Security won't be enough to wholly fall back on once they retire, according to a survey conducted by AARP — in honor of today's 85th anniversary of the program — given first to Axios.

Why it matters: Young people's concerns about financial insecurity once they're on a restricted income are rising — and that generation is worried the program, which currently pays out to 65 million beneficiaries, won't be enough to sustain them.

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