After tens of thousands of dockworkers walked off the job at midnight, the Biden administration is confronting the complicated politics – and limited toolkit – of a work stoppage in the home stretch of a critical election season in which the economy has taken center stage.

The union for striking dockworkers said Thursday evening they'll return to work at U.S. ports after reaching a tentative deal with the United States Maritime Alliance, ending three Why it matters: There were concerns that if the first port strike on the East Coast since 1977 had continued it could have hit supply chains and drive shortages and higher prices as the U.