Usually, the federal government spends to help people through recessions. Now, “there will be far less attempt to cushion the effects,” said political economist Mark Blyth.

Cutting these jobs indiscriminately will “substantially damage the economy,” experts say.

The Soybean Innovation Lab addressed poverty in sub-Saharan Africa, but it was also “a huge opportunity” for U.S. growers, says Peter Goldsmith of the University of Illinois.

Government spending is built into the formula for calculating GDP.

Spurred by tax cut policy, backers of “dynamic scoring” want the math to include wider economic benefits, not just implementation costs.

About 3 million retirees would get full benefits in addition to pensions. As a result, Social Security could hit insolvency earlier.

“Marketplace’s” Kai Ryssdal visits a low-income district of the tourist mecca, where a federal grant will improve transportation and safety.

You need the courage to make cuts, the wisdom to negotiate and luck, says Linda Bilmes, who worked in the Clinton administration.

The agency reduced care offerings during government shutdowns. Advance appropriations would provide a funding bridge when necessary.

It was a busy week in Washington.