Jared Bernstein
FILE - In this Dec. 19, 2019, file photo Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden, speaks at a rally in support of McDonald's cooks and cashiers who are demanding higher wages and union rights, outside a McDonald's restaurant in Los Angeles. The Biden administration is giving a bit of simple advice to businesses that are unable to find workers: Offer them more money. Boosting wages gets at the central promise of the Biden presidency to improve the lives of everyday. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu, File)
Biden betting on wage growth, while GOP warns of inflation

By Josh Boak May. 22, 2021 08:52 AM EDT

Hiring signs are posted outside a gas station in Cranberry Township, Butler County, Pa., Wednesday, May 5, 2021. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is calling for Washington to immediately stop paying out-of-work Americans an extra $300 a week in unemployment benefits, Friday, May 7, saying the boost in government aid is giving some recipients less incentive to look for work. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Weak jobs report spurs new arguments over big fed spending

By Josh Boak May. 07, 2021 01:05 PM EDT

Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., speaks during a confirmation hearing for Secretary of Veterans Affairs nominee Denis McDonough before the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021, in Washington. (Sarah Silbiger/Pool via AP)
Biden to meet with GOP lawmakers to discuss virus relief

By Aamer Madhani Jan. 31, 2021 10:26 AM EST

Vice President-elect Kamala Harris speaks as she and President-elect Joe Biden introduce their nominees and appointees to economic policy posts at The Queen theater, Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020, in Wilmington, Del. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Unveiling economic team, Biden pledges, 'Help is on the way'

By Zeke Miller And Will Weissert Dec. 01, 2020 11:30 AM EST

Neera Tanden, president of Center for American Progress, speaks during an introduction for New Start New Jersey at NJIT in Newark, NJ, Monday, Nov. 10, 2014. President-elect Joe Biden will have an all-female senior communications team at his White House, led by campaign communications director Kate Bedingfield. Tanden will be director of the Office of Management and Budget, according to a person familiar with the transition process granted anonymity to speak freely about internal deliberations. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
Biden names liberal econ team as pandemic threatens workers

By Christopher Rugaber And Aamer Madhani Dec. 01, 2020 12:07 AM EST

Neera Tanden, president of Center for American Progress, speaks during an introduction for New Start New Jersey at NJIT in Newark, NJ, Monday, Nov. 10, 2014. President-elect Joe Biden will have an all-female senior communications team at his White House, led by campaign communications director Kate Bedingfield. Tanden will be director of the Office of Management and Budget, according to a person familiar with the transition process granted anonymity to speak freely about internal deliberations. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
Biden names liberal econ team as pandemic threatens workers

By Christopher Rugaber And Aamer Madhani Nov. 30, 2020 12:44 AM EST

In this Oct. 18, 2020, photo, Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden steps out to board his campaign plane at Raleigh-Durham International Airport in Morrisville, N.C., en route to Wilmington, Del., as granddaughter Finnegan Biden looks on, right. Biden's biggest challenge may begin the day after Election Day. If he wins, he'll have just over 10 weeks to set up a new government. After making President Donald Trump’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic a centerpiece of his campaign, Biden will have to show that his team can better handle the public health crisis. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
'So much work to do': How Biden is planning for transition

By Alexandra Jaffe Oct. 21, 2020 12:44 AM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 14, 2019, file photo former Fed Chair Janet Yellen speaks with FOX Business Network guest anchor Jon Hilsenrath in the Fox Washington bureau in Washington. Former Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen was among a team of advisers who briefed Joe Biden on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020, about the economic fallout from the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)
Ex-Fed Chair Yellen advises Biden on virus economic fallout

By Will Weissert Aug. 13, 2020 04:19 PM EDT

FILE - In this March 3, 2020, file photo, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell pauses during a news conference, to discuss an announcement from the Federal Open Market Committee, in Washington. A group of congressional Democrats introduced legislation Wednesday, Aug. 5, that would require the Federal Reserve to pursue the elimination of racial disparities in jobs, wealth and income as one of its policy goals. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)
Fed should address racial gaps in jobs, income, Dems propose

By Christopher Rugaber Aug. 05, 2020 06:49 PM EDT

President Donald Trump swings a baseball bat during the Spirit of America Showcase at the White House, Thursday, July 2, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
US jobs surge: Trump sees sunshine, Biden 'no victory yet'

By Steve Peoples Jul. 03, 2020 12:06 AM EDT

Democratic presidential candidate, former Vice President Joe Biden speaks at Alexis Dupont High School in Wilmington, Del., Tuesday, June 30, 2020. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
US jobs surge: Trump sees sunshine, Biden 'no victory yet'

By Steve Peoples Jul. 02, 2020 04:30 PM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 20, 2020, file photo President Donald Trump arrives to speak at a campaign rally at The Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs, Colo. As the economy faces a once-in-a-century recession, with more than 38 million people out of work, Trump is increasingly talking up a future recovery that probably won't materialize until after the November election. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)
White House punts economic update as election draws near

By Andrew Taylor, Josh Boak And Aamer Madhani May. 29, 2020 12:05 AM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 20, 2020, file photo President Donald Trump arrives to speak at a campaign rally at The Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs, Colo. As the economy faces a once-in-a-century recession, with more than 38 million people out of work, Trump is increasingly talking up a future recovery that probably won't materialize until after the November election. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)
White House punts economic update as election draws near

By Andrew Taylor, Josh Boak And Aamer Madhani May. 28, 2020 05:58 PM EDT