Jul 26, 2017

Mnuchin: We're "very close" to releasing a tax plan

Erica Pandey, author of @Work

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said his department is "very close to releasing a detailed plan" on tax reform at a senate budget hearing Wednesday. Mnuchin fielded questions on cybersecurity and the debt ceiling.

  • On national security: Will the president sign the Russia sanctions bill? "I don't know the answer to that." The treasury department has "prioritized technology spending within the IRS" as a cybersecurity measure. Mnuchin also offered to discuss actions against Hezbollah's fiannces in a closed session.
  • On raising the debt ceiling: "We have funding through September, but I have urged Congress to take this up before they leave for recess."
  • On CDFIs: He said, "This was merely a function of us making difficult decisions across" on the administration's decision to eliminate funding for Community Development Financial Institutions, which invest government funds in distressed communities.

Go deeper

Alison Snyder, author of Science
44 mins ago - Science

How the brain handles the unknown

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

Uncertainty can be hard for humans. It drives anxiety, an emotion neuroscientists are trying to understand and psychologists are trying to better treat.

Why it matters: Under the threat of a virus, job insecurity, election uncertainty, and a general pandemic life-in-limbo that is upending school, holidays and more, people are especially anxious.

Go deeper (2 min. read)Arrow
Axios
Updated 58 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/Axios

  1. Global: Total confirmed cases as of 3 p.m. ET: 34,103,279 — Total deaths: 1,016,167 — Total recoveries: 23,694,869 — Map.
  2. U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 3 p.m. ET: 7,255,546 — Total deaths: 207,374 — Total recoveries: 2,840,688 — Total tests: 103,939,667 — Map.
  3. Politics: House prepares to pass revised COVID relief bill as White House talks hit roadblock.
  4. Health: Health officials urge flu shots, warning of "twindemic" with COVID-19 — Coronavirus infections rise in 25 states.
  5. Business: Remdesivir is good business for Gilead.
Go deeper (<1 min. read)Arrow
Alayna Treene, author of Sneak Peek
1 hour ago - Politics & Policy

Trump pushes back on changes to upcoming presidential debates

Photo: Jim Watson, Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

President Trump suggested Thursday that he'll resist any moves that could cut off candidates' microphones in the next debate if he continues to talk over his opponent and the moderator.

  • "Why would I allow the Debate Commission to change the rules for the second and third Debates when I easily won last time?" he tweeted.

The big picture: White House and campaign officials insist Trump is still committed to two remaining debates, despite fallout from Tuesday including poor reviews and discussions of new guardrails.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow