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U.S. economy grew more than expected in Q4 of 2017

Photo: Chip Somodevilla / Getty

The U.S. GDP grew to 2.9% in the last quarter of 2017, 0.2 points more than expected and up from the 2.5% annual growth reported in the third quarter.

Why it matters: Holiday shopping sales were even higher than originally reported, especially due to jumps in transportation related spending, reports Business Insider. While the Trump administration has set a lofty goal of 3% GDP growth rate, the economy grew 2.3% overall in 2017, compared to 1.5% in 2016.

Go deeper

Caitlin Owens, author of Vitals
4 hours ago - Health

Biden taps ex-FDA chief to lead Operation Warp Speed amid rollout of COVID plan

Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images

President-elect Joe Biden has picked former FDA chief David Kessler to lead Operation Warp Speed, a day after unveiling a nearly $2 trillion pandemic relief plan that includes $400 billion for directly combatting the virus.

Why it matters: Biden's transition team said Kessler has been advising the president-elect since the beginning of the pandemic, and hopes his involvement will help accelerate vaccination, the New York Times reports. Operation Warp Speed's current director, Moncef Slaoui, will stay on as a consultant.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow
Cara Shillenn, Courtenay Brown
4 hours ago - Economy & Business

The case of the missing relief money

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

A chunk of stimulus payments is missing in action, thanks to a mix up that put as many as 13 million checks into invalid bank accounts.

Why it matters: The IRS (by law) was supposed to get all payments out by Friday. Now the onus could shift to Americans to claim the money on their tax refund — further delaying relief to struggling, lower-income Americans.

Go deeper (2 min. read)Arrow
Jim VandeHei
5 hours ago - Politics & Policy

The post-Trump GOP, gutted

McConnell (L), McCarthy (R) and Trump. Photo: Erin Schaff-Pool/Getty Images

Republicans will emerge from the Trump era gutted financially, institutionally and structurally.

The big picture: The losses are stark and substantial.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow