Latest news with #BrianWitte
Newsweek
24-07-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
First Plan For 2030 Census Revealed
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The U.S. Census Bureau released its first version of the 2030 Census Operational Plan, which outlines the framework to conduct the nation's next decennial population and housing count. The document, known as "Baseline 1," includes details on strategic goals, testing phases, and operational innovations, adapted from the 2020 plan to improve accuracy and efficiency. Newsweek has contacted the U.S. Census Bureau press office outside of regular working hours via email for comment. Why It Matters The census is a constitutional mandate that has taken place every decade since 1790, and it has profound implications on the nation's political representation as well as where trillions of dollars worth of federal funding is allocated. The data collected determines the number of seats each state holds in the U.S. House of Representatives, informs the redrawing of legislative districts, and guides decisions on the distribution of hundreds of billions in federal funds to hospitals, schools, infrastructure, and critical services across the country. File photo: The headquarters of the U.S. Census Bureau is seen in Suitland, Maryland. File photo: The headquarters of the U.S. Census Bureau is seen in Suitland, Maryland. Brian Witte/AP What To Know The newly released plan gives a high-level overview of the work needed to produce a comprehensive population count in 2030. The operational strategy is organized into seven key "concept areas:" identifying all possible addresses for enumeration, promoting participation, collecting and processing data from every living situation, researching data quality, delivering final results, program management, technology solutions, and providing necessary infrastructure. According to the Census Bureau, the plan incorporates lessons learned from the 2020 Census, alongside feedback from public input and small-scale field tests. Preparatory efforts for the next census began in 2019, with two major testing stages now forthcoming: the 2026 Census Test and the 2028 Dress Rehearsal, which are intended to refine procedures and technology in advance of full implementation. These measures will ensure the Census Bureau has an evidence-based design for the 2030 Census, and give it an opportunity to refine its operational plan. In its aims to improve on the 2020 method, the U.S. Census Bureau may be hoping to reduce any distrust or concern evoked by how the Census is carried out. The 2020 Census faced significant scrutiny after President Donald Trump, in his first term, attempted to enhance review of citizenship status in the questionnaire and to exclude undocumented people from apportionment figures, although both policies were ruled against by the Supreme Court. The COVID-19 pandemic also resulted in delays to procedures, and caused the Census Bureau to miss its legally mandated deadline for the first time since it was imposed in 1976. What People Are Saying U.S. Census Bureau said on its website: "The census asks questions of people in homes and group living situations, including how many people live or stay in each home, and the sex, age and race of each person. The goal is to count everyone once, only once, and in the right place." "The results of the census help determine how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding, including grants and support to states, counties and communities are spent every year for the next decade. It helps communities get its fair share for schools, hospitals, roads, and public works. That funding shapes many different aspects of every community, no matter the size, no matter the location. These funds are based on population totals and breakdowns by sex, age, race and other factors. Your community benefits the most when the census counts everyone." What Happens Next The next Census will officially launch in 2030, covering the U.S. and its five territories, and mark the 25th population count in the country.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore says he's not running for president, but he has advice for Democrats
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, often mentioned among Democrats as a potential presidential candidate, has been saying that he isn't running for the White House in 2028. But he does have some advice for Democrats this year. (AP video: Brian Witte)
Economic Times
17-05-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Moody's downgrade sparks political blame game as US loses final triple A credit rating
AP Moody's downgrade of US credit rating from AAA to Aa1 highlights fiscal instability, political infighting, and growing debt concerns across Washington (AP Photo/Brian Witte, File) The fallout was immediate on Capitol Hill as news broke that the United States had lost its last remaining triple A credit rating. Inside budget committee rooms and party strategy sessions, frustration was mounting. Economists cautioned of rising borrowing costs. Politicians, meanwhile, were quick to shift the Investors Service downgraded the United States from AAA to Aa1, citing long-term fiscal concerns and a growing inability to curb ballooning federal deficits. The decision ends more than a century of perfect credit standing for the world's largest economy. Moody's had maintained its AAA rating for the US since 1917. Also read: Moody's strips U.S. government of top credit rating, citing Washington's failure to rein in debt While the firm acknowledged America's enduring strengths, including its dynamic economy and the centrality of the US dollar as a global reserve currency, it pointed to a decade-long trend of worsening debt metrics. Federal debt is projected to climb from 98 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2024 to 134 per cent by 2035. Political fallout escalates following Moody's decision In Washington, the downgrade quickly became a political soccer. The White House released a sharply worded statement, turning its attention toward the current administration. "If Moody's had any credibility, they would not have stayed silent as the fiscal disaster of the past four years unfolded,' said White House spokesman Kush timing of the downgrade only added to the tension. On the same day, President Donald Trump's landmark spending plan, dubbed his "big, beautiful bill" had failed to pass the House Budget Committee. Several Republicans broke ranks and voted against it, revealing deep fiscal divides even within the political chaos underscored Moody's concern that successive US administrations have failed to implement effective long-term fiscal reforms, contributing to higher debt-servicing costs and elevated risks to the government's ability to repay debt. Also read: U.S heading for default in 2025, potentially tanking the U.S. credit rating and sending shockwaves through global markets Downgrade may mean higher borrowing costs for the US Moody's move places the US in the same credit category as countries like Austria and Finland. While still considered low-risk, the Aa1 rating is a step below the gold standard and could have meaningful implications for the cost of government borrowing and investor confidence.A lower credit rating typically signals greater risk of default, and can lead to higher interest rates on Treasury bonds. For a nation already grappling with rising debt-servicing costs, this could put even more strain on public 2023, Fitch Ratings had already downgraded the US, following Standard and Poor's downgrade in 2011. With Moody's move, the last symbol of unwavering confidence in the US government's ability to manage its debt has been shaken. Economic headwinds mount as GDP contracts Adding to the pressure, new economic figures revealed that the US economy contracted by an annual rate of 0.3 per cent in the first quarter. The decline was attributed to reduced government spending and a spike in imports, as businesses scrambled to bring goods into the country ahead of proposed contraction comes on the heels of 2.4 per cent growth in the prior quarter, underscoring the fragile state of the recovery and complicating fiscal planning amid political deadlock. Also read: Moody's sounds warning related to Donald Trump. Here's what credit rating agency claims As the US Treasury remained silent on Moody's decision, markets and policymakers alike are now left to weigh the long-term consequences of a credit downgrade that's as much about fiscal policy as it is about political dysfunction.
