WASHINGTON — Members of the House on Oct. 12 pushed through a short-term increase to the nation’s debt limit, ensuring the federal government can continue fully paying its bills into December and temporarily averting an unprecedented default that would have decimated the economy.

WASHINGTON — The Senate on March 25 passed a bill to extend the deadline for business owners to apply for forgivable loans through the Paycheck Protection Program, giving applicants two more months to apply for federal aid. The vote was 92-7.