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Budget Basics Archive
In order to balance our budget and reduce the amount of debt the government takes on each year, we must match the level of government revenues with the level of spending.
The U.S. spent $187 billion on interest payments alone in 2009.
The Peter G. Peterson Foundation presents a primer on the federal budget.
Once we have a plan in place that reduces spending and increases revenues, a strong annual budget process for the government would help us stay on track.
Learn about steps you can take to help cure our fiscal ills.
Earmarks have been controversial, but nevertheless were reinstated by Congress in 2021 after a 10-year moratorium.
Climate and weather-related natural disasters are becoming increasingly frequent. In addition to endangering lives, they are economically costly.
The economy goes through cyclical movements over time, with periods of growth followed by downturns. To help improve responsiveness to fluctuations in the business cycle, a number of important programs in the federal budget automatically increase or restrain spending depending on economic conditions.
What is a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution, and how would it work in practice?
The Byrd Rule restricts what can be included in reconciliation legislation in the Senate.