Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Mills’ Entry into Maine Senate Race Sets off Generational Fight

Reposted by Zach C. Cohen

Bloomberg Government @bgov.com · 4d

Maine Governor Janet Mills joining the 2026 Senate contest to unseat Republican Susan Collins would give Democratic voters at least two distinctive candidates to consider in a race critical to their uphill bid to win a majority.

Maine Governor Janet Mills joining the 2026 Senate contest to unseat Republican Susan Collins would give Democratic voters at least two distinctive candidates to consider in a race critical to their uphill bid to win a majority.

Shutdown Revives GOP’s Divisions, Struggles on Health Care

Zach C. Cohen @zachccohen.bsky.social · 4d

“I’d like to see them go away. But I do understand that there’s a significant impact on some families": House Republicans are torn between their opposition to a Biden-era expansion of Obamacare health insurance subsidies and a desire to avoid the looming spike in costs. news.bgov.com/bloomberg-go...

House Republicans are divided over the health care fight at the center of the government shutdown — with the vast majority declining to say anything about the topic when contacted by Bloomberg…

news.bgov.com

Reposted by Zach C. Cohen

Bloomberg Tax @bloombergtax.com · 4d

The Trump administration has begun firing workers at the IRS and the Treasury Department as it tries to leverage mass layoffs in the standoff over government funding in Congress.

Trump Starts Mass Layoffs at IRS, Treasury Amid Shutdown

The Trump administration has begun firing workers at the IRS and the Treasury Department as it tries to leverage mass layoffs in the standoff over government funding in Congress.

IRS Furloughs Could Crimp GOP Tax Law Guidance, Rules Rollout

Reposted by Zach C. Cohen

Bloomberg Tax @bloombergtax.com · 4d

IRS employees implementing the GOP July tax law are largely exempt from staff furloughs amid the government shutdown, but the shutdown’s impact could still have a ripple effect on the rollout of regulations and guidance to taxpayers.

IRS employees implementing the GOP July tax law are largely exempt from staff furloughs amid the government shutdown, but the shutdown’s impact could still have a ripple effect on the rollout of regulations and guidance to taxpayers.

IRS Cautions Furloughed Agency Workers Back Pay Not Guaranteed

Reposted by Zach C. Cohen

Bloomberg Tax @bloombergtax.com · 5d

Workers at the IRS sent home during the ongoing government shutdown should await further clarity from the Office of Management and Budget on whether they will get back pay after the standoff ends, the agency said Thursday.

Workers at the IRS sent home during the ongoing government shutdown should await further clarity from the Office of Management and Budget on whether they will get back pay after the standoff ends, the agency said Thursday.

Zach C. Cohen @zachccohen.bsky.social · 6d

Joining @bloomberg.com Radio's @nhageradio.bsky.social shortly to talk latest out of Washington as the government shutdown enters its ninth day.

What an IRS CEO Means for Tax Administration, Agency Functions

Reposted by Zach C. Cohen

Chris Cioffi @reportercioffi.bsky.social · 6d

Podcast: On this week's Talking Tax, I sat down with Pete Sepp, president of the National Taxpayers Union.

He said Congress is right to seek answers on how the CEO may interact with a commissioner, and concerns that many top IRS positions remain open.

buff.ly/gsbClaT

National Taxpayers Union President Pete Sepp talks with Bloomberg Tax, saying Congress is right to seek answers about how the new IRS CEO job interacts with the existing commissioner position.

buff.ly

Trump’s Picks for Key Treasury, IRS Roles Get Senate Panel Nod

Zach C. Cohen @zachccohen.bsky.social · 6d

New: A Senate panel signed off on Trump’s picks to be the IRS’s top attorney and the Treasury's top Hill liaison, putting both officials closer to overseeing implementation of the mega tax cut law.

Sen. Whitehouse unexpectedly joined GOP to advance Don Korb. news.bloombergtax.com/daily-tax-re...

A key Senate panel approved President Donald Trump’s nominees to be the IRS’s top attorney and the Treasury Department’s top liaison to Capitol Hill, putting both officials one step closer to taking…

IRS Begins Worker Furloughs, Suspends Most Tax Operations

Reposted by Zach C. Cohen

Press Freedom Center — National Press Club @pfc-npc.bsky.social · 6d

30 days left until we run for Austin Tice, the longest-held journalist in captivity.

Register at the link! runsignup.com/Race/DC/Wash...

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Reposted by Zach C. Cohen

Bloomberg Tax @bloombergtax.com · 6d

The IRS Wednesday began furloughing workers as part of the federal government shutdown, with most operations closing, the agency’s site said.

The IRS Wednesday began furloughing workers as part of the federal government shutdown, with most operations closing, the agency’s site said.

Treasury Pledges New IRS Chief to GOP Tax Writer After CEO Pick

Zach C. Cohen @zachccohen.bsky.social · 7d

Scoop w/ @reportercioffi.bsky.social: The Trump administration assured Sen. Chuck Grassley that they plan to name a new nominee to lead the IRS, even as the Treasury Department names new de facto leadership, according to the tax writer's office. news.bloombergtax.com/daily-tax-re...

The Trump administration plans to name a new nominee to be IRS commissioner even as the Treasury Department Monday named a new CEO to lead the agency, according to the office of a key tax writer.

White House Threatens to Not Pay Workers Furloughed by Shutdown

Reposted by Zach C. Cohen

Bloomberg Government @bgov.com · 7d

The White House is considering not paying federal employees for days they have been furloughed during the shutdown, according to a person familiar with the matter, a move that could run afoul of a law that mandates workers get backpay once the government re-opens.

The White House is considering not paying federal employees for days they have been furloughed during the shutdown, according to a person familiar with the matter, a move that could run afoul of a law that mandates workers get backpay once the government re-opens.

Treasury’s Bessent Names Social Security Chief as CEO of IRS (1)

Reposted by Zach C. Cohen

Bloomberg Tax @bloombergtax.com · 8d

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that Frank Bisignano, commissioner of the Social Security Administration, will be the CEO of the IRS.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said today that Frank Bisignano, commissioner of the Social Security Administration, will be the CEO of the IRS.

Filing Taxes Free at IRS Will Change Again, Explained (1)

Reposted by Zach C. Cohen

Bloomberg Tax @bloombergtax.com · 11d

Lawmakers and the IRS have long grappled with how to offer free, online tax filing—and what the role of tax preparation software companies should be.

Lawmakers and the IRS have long grappled with how to offer free, online tax filing—and what the role of tax preparation software companies should be.

Reposted by Zach C. Cohen

Press Freedom Center — National Press Club @pfc-npc.bsky.social · 13d

Registration is open for the #RunForAustin 5K on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. The run is part of an ongoing campaign to raise awareness for the longest-detained American journalist.

Sign up by Oct. 30 to receive the official race T-shirt. #BringAustinHome

runsignup.com/Race/DC/Wash...

Crypto Titan’s Move to Puerto Rico Spurs Wyden Tax Evasion Probe

Reposted by Zach C. Cohen

Bloomberg Tax @bloombergtax.com · 13d

The founder of $5 billion cryptocurrency hedge fund Pantera Capital is in the crosshairs of US Senate investigators, who allege he may have evaded more than $100 million in capital gains taxes after seeking tax refuge in Puerto Rico.

The founder of $5 billion cryptocurrency hedge fund Pantera Capital is in the crosshairs of US Senate investigators, who allege he may have evaded more than $100 million in capital gains taxes after seeking tax refuge in Puerto Rico.

Cortez Masto Splits from Party on Shutdown, Blazing Moderate Path

Reposted by Zach C. Cohen

Bloomberg Government @bgov.com · 13d

Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto has shown this year that she's willing break with most of her party on high-profile votes.

Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto has shown this year that she’s willing break with most of her party on high-profile votes.

Press Freedom Center at National Press Club Announces New Additions to Advisory Board

Reposted by Zach C. Cohen

Press Freedom Center — National Press Club @pfc-npc.bsky.social · 13d

Today, the Press Freedom Center was proud to announce three new members of our Advisory Board: @caoilfhionn.bsky.social, Sam Feist, and Paul Beckett.

Read the full advisory at the link:

www.press.org/newsroom/pre...

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1 – In a critical moment for press freedom around the world, the Press Freedom Center at the National Press Club today announced the addition of three new members to its Advisory Boar...

www.press.org

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Zach C. Cohen @zachccohen.bsky.social · 13d

My takeaway from today's hearing: Crafting a new de minimis exemption sought by the crypto industry for small transactions will likely complicate the task of crafting bipartisan legislation codifying the tax treatment of digital assets. news.bloombergtax.com/daily-tax-re...

Crypto Tax Relief for Small Transactions Challenges Congress

How to craft a new exemption for small crypto transactions will likely complicate the task of crafting bipartisan legislation codifying the tax treatment of digital assets, senators in both parties sa...

How a Shutdown Will Hit the IRS and Tax Law Rules, Explained

Zach C. Cohen @zachccohen.bsky.social · 13d

Ten hours into a government shutdown, the Senate Finance Committee is hosting a pre-scheduled hearing to consider possible changes to the tax treatment of crypto.

Here’s what we’re watching: news.bloombergtax.com/daily-tax-re...

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Reposted by Zach C. Cohen

Bloomberg Tax @bloombergtax.com · 13d

Lawmakers failed to reach a deal before midnight to keep the government funded, but the IRS game plan provides for five days of “normal” operations, with all current staff on board.

Lawmakers failed to reach a deal before midnight to keep the government funded, but the IRS game plan provides for five days of “normal” operations, with all current staff on board.

K Street Still Open for Business as Clients Seek Shutdown Advice

Reposted by Zach C. Cohen

Bloomberg Government @bgov.com · 14d

The K Street lobbying corridor will stay open for business in a government shutdown with campaigns for clients, from Wall Street banks to airlines and federal contractors, taking new urgency.

The K Street lobbying corridor will stay open for business in a government shutdown with campaigns for clients, from Wall Street banks to airlines and federal contractors, taking new urgency.

Trump Threatens Mass Firings as Federal Shutdown Deadline Nears

Zach C. Cohen @zachccohen.bsky.social · 14d

GOP leaders are in lockstep, pledging talks on enhanced insurance premium tax credits after government is funded.

Johnson: “Open the government and then we’ll have all the discussions."
Thune: "We can’t even have that discussion until we keep the government open.” www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

President Donald Trump threatened to fire scores of federal workers as the US hurtles toward a shutdown with Democrats and Republicans at an impasse to fund the federal government.

www.bloomberg.com

Zach C. Cohen @zachccohen.bsky.social · 14d

New: Tax writers and their crypto allies hope to leverage a hearing in the Senate Finance Committee tomorrow to build on momentum for a new taxation regime for digital assets, including a suite of key asks from the industry. w/ @reportercioffi.bsky.social news.bloombergtax.com/daily-tax-re...

Crypto Allies Look to Build on Stablecoin Momentum for Tax Rules

Tax writers and their industry allies are hoping to capitalize on recent moves toward regulating cryptocurrencies to draft a new taxation regime for digital assets.