Budget Matters Blog

Entries By Lindsay Koshgarian


Pentagon Spending FY 2016: The Great Debate

President Obama, the House and Senate have all lined up with a whopping request for Pentagon and related spending of $613 billion. What alternative do we have to this bloated Pentagon budget? 


Senate Approves a Budget. What’s Next?

In the wee hours of Friday morning, the U.S. Senate voted 52-46 to approve a budget, setting off a months long processNow Congress is in recess for two weeks.


House Votes on Republican and Congressional Progressive Caucus Budgets

Yesterday, the House of Representatives voted down the Congressional Progressive Caucus budget and passed the budget proposal from the House Budget Committee, with some tweaks.


The Return of the Debt Ceiling

The debt ceiling suspension ends March 15, 2015. It’s unclear exactly when the money will run out, but sooner or later, lawmakers will have to deal with it.


President Obama Asked for $5.3 Billion to Fight ISIS. Will it Work?

Americans deserve a real debate over military involvement with ISIS: what it will look like, what it may cost, and how far Americans are willing to go. 


How Will Congress Avoid a Homeland Security Shutdown, Part 2

A Homeland Security shutdown was averted this past Friday, but only temporarily, when lawmakers gave Homeland Security one more week of funding.


State of the Union 2015

President Obama’s State of the Union address last night was as notable for what it included as for what it didn’t include.  We give you the lowdown on gridlock, climate change, middle class economics, free community college, taxes, war spending and more.


Obama Proposes Free Community College

The White House has announced that President Obama will reveal a proposal to allow students to attend community college free for up to two years.


Congress Takes on Keystone XL Pipeline, Obamacare, Tax Reform

Congress tackles the Keystone XL Pipeline, Obamacare, and makes a move toward tax reform in its first week back, with a side of business as usual.


Top 3 New Years’ Resolutions for Congress

Our top 3 New Years' Resolutions for Congress. Gridlock is so 2014.