Congressional districts have diverse trade policy preferences due to their varied economic structures, influencing trade policymaking in ways not captured by traditional models. This paper develops a political economy model incorporating region-specific factors and export interests, estimating welfare weights from national tariff and non-tariff measures. The findings highlight district and industry-level winners and losers, providing insights into the political consequences of trade and the backlash against globalization.

Immigration, particularly unauthorized immigration (UI), has been a focal point of economic research and policy debate. Economists have studied the drivers of UI, its impact on the domestic economy, and the effectiveness of various immigration policies. UI is more responsive to economic conditions than documented immigration, making it a valuable subject for understanding migration patterns. Research indicates that UI may have a small negative effect on domestic workers with similar skills but can complement other groups and reduce prices for certain goods and services. Policies like E-Verify and state-level enforcement have mixed effects on labor market outcomes and domestic welfare. Decentralized enforcement of immigration laws tends to lower overall domestic welfare compared to centralized enforcement. The ongoing research highlights the complexity of UI's impact and the need for a unified analytical framework to fully understand its effects.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted children's education, leading to widespread learning losses, particularly in math. Factors contributing to these losses include declines in enrollment, reduced instructional time, and the mode of schooling (in-person, hybrid, or virtual). The pandemic has exacerbated educational inequalities, with students from low-income families being more adversely affected. Long-term consequences include lower cognitive skills, reduced future earnings, and broader economic productivity losses. Remediation policies such as increased instructional time and targeted tutoring programs are suggested to mitigate these effects.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly strained state and local government budgets, mirroring past economic downturns but with unique challenges. State and local governments, major players in the U.S. economy, face revenue declines that necessitate spending cuts, impacting essential services like education and healthcare. The article highlights the cyclically-sensitive nature of state tax revenues compared to local revenues, which are more reliant on property taxes. The pandemic's impact varies by locality, with cities dependent on high-risk industries and cyclically-sensitive revenue sources being more vulnerable. Fiscal policy, including federal transfers, is crucial to mitigate service disruptions and long-term human capital losses.

Commuting patterns in the United States reveal significant differences based on transportation mode, income, and regional variations. Public transportation is more commonly used by younger, female, and African American commuters, with median-income workers favoring it over higher-income individuals who drive alone. The Fifth District shows unique commuting behaviors, with Baltimore having a high proportion of public transportation users and Richmond and Baltimore having higher rates of walking commuters. Urban economists emphasize the interdependence of transportation and land use, highlighting the economic benefits of reduced transportation costs and the trade-offs between commuting costs and land prices. Research indicates that increased highway capacity does not alleviate congestion but can boost employment growth. The spatial mismatch hypothesis explains the challenges faced by minorities in accessing suburban jobs, suggesting that improved transportation infrastructure could enhance job accessibility and labor market outcomes.

The article examines the phenomenon of urban decline in prominent U.S. cities like Detroit and Baltimore, highlighting the economic and social impacts on lower-income residents. It explores the lifecycle of cities, the role of infrastructure aging, and the effects of economic shocks. The text discusses various policy responses, including place-based interventions like Enterprise Zones and people-based approaches such as housing vouchers and human capital investment. The article emphasizes the importance of a balanced approach, considering both place-based and people-based policies to effectively address urban decline and improve residents' well-being.

The inflow of unauthorized immigrants across the U.S.-Mexico border has decreased, influenced by federal enforcement and economic factors. States like Arizona and Alabama have adopted the E-Verify program to verify employment eligibility, impacting immigrant labor supply and regional labor markets. Nationally, unauthorized immigration can reduce labor shortages but may lower native wages while benefiting business owners. Regionally, state policies like E-Verify can deter immigration or cause immigrants to relocate, affecting local economies and state finances. Research highlights varying impacts on labor market outcomes, with some states experiencing reduced unauthorized immigrant populations and others potentially attracting more due to generous welfare provisions.