tax increases

Debt Crisis Looms as Congress Digs in Its Heels

Legislators show no signs they're heading toward compromise in resolving the nation's next financial crisis, with Democrats talking about further taxes hikes on the rich, and Republicans saying a crippling default on U.S. debt is possible unless they get significant cuts in government spending.

Fiscal Cliff Averted: 6 Things You Can Stop Worrying About

After months of lead-up, America finally went over the fiscal cliff -- for about 34 hours, before a bipartisan compromise was reached. So, with an eye toward the bright side, here's are six things that you no longer need to worry about now that the fiscal cliff has been averted.

Details of 'Fiscal Cliff' Deal Said to Emerge

Working against a midnight deadline, negotiators for the White House and congressional Republicans in Congress narrowed their differences Monday on legislation to avert across-the-board tax increases.

U.S. Economy Could Handle Short Fall Over 'Cliff'

Even if New Year's passes with no deficit reduction deal, businesses and consumers would not likely panic as long as some agreement seems imminent. The $671 billion in tax increases and spending cuts could be retroactively repealed, and the impact of the tax increases would be felt only gradually.

US Durable Goods Orders Up 0.7 Percent

U.S. companies increased their orders for long-lasting manufactured goods in November, with a second consecutive monthly gain in a key category that reflects businesses' investment plans.

Fiscal Cliff Talks Appear to Be Stalled

Despite an intensifying pace, little progress is being reported in talks on averting automatic spending cuts and tax increases that economists fear could send the U.S. economy off a "fiscal cliff."

Fed to Launch New Bond Buying Program to Ease Fiscal Cliff Fears

With a nervous eye on the "fiscal cliff," the Federal Reserve is expected this week to announce a new bond-buying plan intended to further reduce long-term interest rates and encourage borrowing. If it succeeds, it might soften the blow from tax increases and spending cuts that will kick in in January if Congress can't reach a budget deal.

Aerospace Industry Increasingly Fearful of Fiscal Cliff Cuts

When the Aerospace Industries Association held its big annual gathering this week, the talk wasn't about America's superior aircraft and spacecraft. The subjects that dominated the event were the fiscal cliff, sequestration, and the potential damage that automatic spending cuts could do.

Senate Dems Split on Cutting Benefits to Get Fiscal Cliff Deal

Deep divisions among Senate Democrats over whether cuts to Medicare and Medicaid should be part of a plan to slow the growth of the federal debt pose a big obstacle to a deal for avoiding a potentially economy-crushing "fiscal cliff," even if Republicans agree to raise taxes.

Obama to Appeal to Public on Fiscal Cliff

President Barack Obama plans to make a public case this week for his strategy for dealing with the looming fiscal cliff, traveling to the Philadelphia suburbs Friday as he pressures Republicans to allow tax increases on the wealthy while extending tax cuts for families earning $250,000 or less.