Economic Stimulus | featured news

As the Federal Reserve meets Tuesday and Wednesday to consider new stimulus for the weak economy, one of the key data it will be looking at is consumer spending, which is clearly waning.

Economists Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers write that “the debate in Washington about economic policy is phony. It’s manufactured. And it’s entirely political.” ... Turns out that there’s wide agreement that the stimulus created jobs, TARP was necessary, market factors drive gas prices, tax cuts reduce revenue, tax increases and spending cuts will have to be part of a deficit solution and more.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke gave no indication Tuesday that the central bank was about to launch new economic stimulus, even as the Fed chief painted a worrisome picture of an economy losing momentum on a wide scale.

Federal Reserve officials sent new signals they are seriously considering more actions to bolster the economic recovery but disappointed many investors by not indicating they are committed to taking action.

US Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke tells Congress that the US economy is "close to faltering" and more action may be needed.

Bernanke launched a new package of measures to support a limping economy and once again took the kind of unconventional approach that has become a trademark of his tumultuous tenure.

Despite the limping economy, Republican Congressional leadership urged the Federal Reserve chairman not to engage in further stimulus.

Bottom Line: Stocks rose in mid-morning trade on Wall Street Tuesday as investors grew more optimistic that the Federal Reserve would announce new moves to stimulate the economy.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke renewed his promise on Thursday that the central bank could put more monetary stimulus into play if the economic recovery stumbles.

As healthcare costs for the poor soar across the United States, perhaps no state will feel the loss of federal stimulus money more than Florida.