Budget Gap Widens to $747 Billion in Nine Months Through June
The U.S. budget deficit widened by 23% to $747.1 billion in the first nine months of the fiscal year, as rising spending eclipsed a small bump in revenue from the Trump administration’s tariffs.
July 11, 2019Senate Committee Approves STB Nominee Michelle Schultz
The Senate Commerce Committee advanced by voice-vote approval the nomination of Michelle Schultz for a seat on the Surface Transportation Board.
July 11, 2019In Final Order, Wiley Sanders Truck Lines to Pay $3 Million for Illegally Transporting Hazmat
A federal judge has issued a criminal judgment requiring Wiley Sanders Truck Lines of Troy, Ala., to pay a fine of $3 million for illegally transporting thousands of pounds of lead-contaminated plastic battery chips.
July 11, 2019Trump Defends Refinery Waivers by Noting Expanded Ethanol Sales
President Donald Trump has cited his move to allow year-round sales of high-ethanol gasoline as farmers pressure him to dial back decisions to exempt oil refineries from biofuel-blending mandates, signaling the president sees the two issues as related.
July 11, 2019Oil Trades Near Seven-Week High Amid Gulf Storm, 2020 Outlook
Oil traded near a seven-week high as supply risks from a storm in the Gulf of Mexico and falling U.S. stockpiles were countered by a weak market outlook from OPEC in 2020.
July 11, 2019Core Consumer Inflation Tops Projections in Broad Gain
A key measure of U.S. consumer prices rose more than forecast in June, potentially complicating the Federal Reserve’s assessment of inflation as policy makers weigh an interest-rate cut as soon as this month.
July 11, 2019Jobless Claims Decline to Lowest Level Since Mid-April
Filings for U.S. unemployment benefits declined to a 12-week low, underscoring the Federal Reserve’s view that a robust labor market is underpinning economic expansion.
July 11, 2019Senators Aim to Produce Five-Year Highway Bill Before August Recess
WASHINGTON — The first version of what could become the country’s next major highway policy bill will be unveiled in the Senate prior to Congress’ recess in August, surface transportation policymakers announced July 10.
July 10, 2019EPA: Day Cabs Can Qualify for SmartWay Designation
Day cabs — especially those with a high roof and pulling a box trailer — can qualify for SmartWay designation that signifies the equipment significantly lowers fuel use and reduces air pollution, the Environmental Protection Agency said.
July 10, 2019US, China’s Top Trade Officials Make First Contact Since Truce
U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin spoke on the phone with their Chinese counterparts as the two sides relaunch trade talks, marking the first high-level contact since their presidents agreed to a tentative truce last month.
July 10, 2019