Economy News
The Daily Signal reports on economy news with analysis and commentary on growth, recession risks, employment, and financial trends.
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news
‘Be Totally Independent’: Trump Swears in His Fed Chair Pick
President Donald Trump swore in his pick to chair the Federal Reserve, Kevin Warsh, on Friday, saying he wants him to be independent in the role. “I want Kevin to be totally independent,” Trump said. “I want him to be independent and just do a great job. Don’t look at me, don’t look at anybody,… -
exclusive
Sen. Rick Scott Pushes Bill to Ban Chinese Digital Currency in US Transactions
FIRST ON THE DAILY SIGNAL—Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., on Thursday reintroduced legislation that would prohibit U.S.-based money services businesses from using central bank digital currencies issued by the Communist Party of China, including the digital yuan. If enacted, the Chinese CBDC Prohibition Act would prohibit money services businesses from engaging in any transaction that involves… -
opinion
Seattle’s Socialist Mayor Now Panicking Over Businesses Leaving
Seattle’s socialist-in-chief is no longer laughing about chasing away businesses and wealthy residents. But the attitude adjustment may be too little, too late. Just a few weeks ago, Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson infamously giggled when asked if she was concerned about wealthy residents fleeing Seattle because of her policies. “I think the claims that millionaires are going… -
news
‘BIG SAVING’: Trump Says Slashing This Regulation Will Lower Grocery Prices
President Donald Trump said every American family will experience a “big saving” in their grocery bills after he rolled back two Biden-era regulations on refrigerants. With the rollback, Trump said he made more refrigerants available for supermarkets and other businesses, which he says will save $900 million. The Daily Signal asked the president on Thursday how… -
opinion
Making Government Lean Again: The DOGE Effect
As of Jan. 1, 2026, the Department of Government Efficiency reports $215 billion in savings, or roughly $1,335 per taxpayer. Established in the early months of the second Trump administration and initially led by Elon Musk, DOGE set out to eliminate waste, fraud, and inefficiency in federal spending. Early results suggest those efforts are not… -
exclusive
‘There’s No Question Prices Are Elevated’: Trump Official Addresses Small Businesses’ Economic Pain
Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler acknowledged that Americans are facing increased prices but promised that the economy will improve after the military operation in Iran ends. “There’s no question in recent weeks, prices have bumped up because of rising gas prices due to the Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz now,” Loeffler told the… -
news
Barney Frank, Architect of Landmark Wall Street Reforms, Dies at 86
WASHINGTON, May 20 (Reuters)—Former U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, a quick-witted Democrat who gave his name to a landmark financial reform bill after the economic crisis of 2007-2009, has died, his sister Ann Lewis said on Wednesday. He was 86. One of the best-known gay politicians of his time, Frank served for over 30 years in… -
opinion
Getting Back to Business: The Buttonwood Agreement on the Eve of America’s 250th Birthday
This week marks the anniversary of one of the most consequential yet least celebrated moments in American economic history. On May 17, 1792, 24 merchants, brokers, and auctioneers gathered at 68 Wall Street in New York and signed a concise, two-sentence agreement under a buttonwood tree. In plain language, they pledged to trade public stocks… -
opinion
The End May Be Nigh for Automakers’ Monopoly on Car Repair Data
Think you own that new car you just bought? Not all of it. As many Americans are learning, Automakers own their data, and they’re trying to dictate who can fix the vehicle when something breaks or even when it just needs regular maintenance. It’s a way to force car and truck owners into expensive dealerships… -
opinion
Why Are We Arming Our Adversary in the AI Race?
Imagine if, during the space race with the Soviet Union, General Electric and Boeing, storied American giants in the space race, had been selling key components designed for Apollo 11 to the Russians. There would have been a national outcry. Our companies built and fueled NASA’s race to the moon. While national pride was a… -
opinion
Study Examines Whether Advanced Degrees Are Worth Costs
The Left believes there is a contrived war on higher education. However, recent analysis counters that claim by showing that there is an economic disadvantage for many Americans taking on the cost of an advanced degree. The analysis has now landed firmly on the conclusion that much advanced education is a rigged game. This is… -
opinion
Blue Cities Like Portland Prioritize the Antisocial Over the Law-Abiding
Like many of America’s once-great metropolises, Portland, Oregon, has seen better days. Drug-addled homeless continue to ravage the streets, and businesses have begun packing their bags for greener pastures, following the thousands of city residents who have had enough. The reason Portland has become such a disaster is simple: It prioritizes the needs of its… -
analysis
How Can Ohio Pull Itself Up for Family Status Ranking?
Ohio is below average in family rankings, according to a recent report that measures family strength and stability across all 50 states. But two top elected officials in the Buckeye State say promoting fatherhood and lowering the tax burden could help improve the situation. Last month, the Center for Christian Virtue released its 2026 Family… -
opinion
Capitalism: The Thing That Works
Young people now blame capitalism for poverty, racism, high prices, even climate change. They listen to people like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., who says, “Capitalism … is the absolute pursuit of profit at all human, environmental, and social cost. That is not a redeemable system.” Give me a break. Yes, capitalism is often ugly. It… -
opinion
Big Business Bows Down in Beijing
Among the $308.37 billion in goods that the United States imported from China in 2025, the No. 1 category was described by the Census Bureau as “cell phones and other household goods.” Americans last year purchased $39,246,893,116 worth of these items manufactured in that communist regime. Not surprisingly, Tim Cook, the chief executive officer of… -
opinion
How ESG Will Destroy Your Company
On Feb. 26, 2026, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton secured a “first of its kind” settlement with the Vanguard Group, which, together with BlackRock and State Street, makes up the “Big three” asset managers representing “the largest shareholders in 88 percent of S&P 500 companies.” Among other things, the press release announcing the settlement noted that “Vanguard… -
news
$1.3 Billion Frozen in Sweeping California Hospice Fraud Crackdown
More than $1.3 billion in federal health care reimbursements have been halted, and 800 hospices have been suspended amid a sweeping crackdown on California hospice fraud. These efforts have been led by Vice President JD Vance and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, who President Donald Trump selected to lead the… -
news
Trump Announces Chinese Investment in American Industry
President Donald Trump said that Chinese leader Xi Jinping has committed to purchasing American energy commodities, soybeans, and jets. In an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity, Trump said Beijing would buy 200 Boeing 737 jets, as well as soybeans, oil, liquefied natural gas, and other energy commodities. “We had a very good meeting, but… -
news
GOP Leads With Fraud Crackdown in Next Affordability Push
House Republicans working to save Americans over a trillion dollars before the midterms say they are ready to deliver on housing, health care, energy affordability, and fraud prevention—but they may not have enough time. “This isn’t going to be as massive as what we saw last July, but this is like a two-minute drill where… -
exclusive
Congressman Wants to Ban Illegal Aliens From Banking System Amid Possible Trump EO
FIRST ON THE DAILY SIGNAL—Citing concerns that access to financial services incentivizes illegal immigration and could aid terrorism, Rep. Keith Self, R‑Texas, introduced legislation Thursday that would bar illegal aliens from the U.S. banking system by requiring banks to collect customers’ citizenship or immigration status. “Access to America’s financial system is reserved for those who…