Healthcare Spending Reaches a Record High
The rise in healthcare spending was largely driven by the federal response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read MoreSpending on Unemployment Insurance is Returning to Pre-Pandemic Levels
Federal outlays for Unemployment Insurance are rapidly returning to previous levels. Nevertheless, unemployment remains higher than pre-pandemic levels.
Read More“Build Back Better” is Mostly Paid For — But Uses Budget Gimmicks
If enacted, the legislation would provide benefits for many lower-income households and take steps to address climate change and other social investments.
Read MoreBipartisan Infrastructure Bill Less than 40 Percent Paid For
Despite lawmakers’ claims, analysts anticipate that a large portion of the spending called for by the infrastructure package will need to be deficit financed.
Read MoreCan the TRUST Act Help Fix the Social Security, Medicare, and Highway Trust Funds?
Several federal programs that are governed by trust funds are facing serious funding shortfalls.
Read MoreShould the Corporate Income Tax Rate be Raised?
The possibility of raising the corporate tax rate has spurred a debate about the optimal corporate income tax rate to balance revenue generation and U.S. competitiveness.
Read MoreWhat Is a Carbon Tax? How Would It Affect the Economy?
In light of the growing urgency of the climate crisis, many lawmakers, advocacy groups, and American citizens are calling for the government to undertake policies to more comprehensively address climate change.
Read MoreHere’s How Democrats Would Pay for Their New Spending Proposals
Democratic leaders revealed the details of how they plan to pay for, or offset, the approximately $3.5 trillion of spending in their reconciliation bill.
Read MoreHow Do We Tax Energy in the United States? How Does It Compare to Other Countries?
A key part of the Biden administration’s policy agenda in 2021 relates to our nation’s energy policy, and in particular, there have been important debates among policymakers about how we use the tax code to incentivize economically and environmentally beneficial behavior.
Read MoreWhat’s the Price Tag on Reconciliation — and Will It Be Paid For?
Components of a large legislative package — that could carry a price tag of as much as $3.5 trillion — is now being debated in the House of Representatives.
Read More