Budget Matters Blog

Entries By Lindsay Koshgarian


Ten Good Things About the House’s (Too-Big) Military Budget

On Friday the House of Representatives voted 220-197 to approve a military budget of $733 billion through the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).


What Wasn't Said at the First Democratic Debate - But Should Have Been

Ten candidates answered questions on a range of topics from five moderators at the first Democratic presidential debate last night. Here's what the candidates and moderators didn't say, but should have.


Introducing the Poor People's Moral Budget: Everybody Has the Right to Live

For the 140 million people who are poor, or one emergency away from being poor, we know it's necessary to present a comprehensive response to the systemic racism, poverty, ecological devastation, militarism, and war economy plaguing our country today. This Poor People’s Moral Budget asks, given the resources of our society, whether these demands are also possible. Our answer is a resounding yes.


It's time to put people over Pentagon & slash $200 billion from the military budget

We're joining a coalition to urge 2020 candidates to cut military funds enough to free $2 trillion or more over the next decade for big, bold, urgent people-first priorities.


The United States and Saudi Arabia Take the Top Two Spots in World Military Spending Per Person

Last week, the Stockholm International Peace Institute released their annual look at world military spending. Once again, the United States is on top. We spent more than one third of the world's total, two and a half times as much as the second coutnry on the list (China), and more than the next seven countries combined.


Your taxes provided $48 billion to Lockheed Martin. And some other stuff.

April 15, 2019 is Tax Day. Do you know where your tax dollars are? Here's a hint: military contractors cost the average taxpayer more than the price of a new Macbook Pro, but public housing costs the average taxpayer less than a curling iron from Wal-Mart. The average American paid...


Trade-Offs from the 2020 Trump Budget

America's military budget is so huge that the Trump budget's proposed increases for FY 2020 can seem like a drop in the bucket. But let's compare the value of some of Trump's most extra priorities to things that can actually improve people's lives.


Trump's $174 Billion Budget Lie

If Trump pretends that the Pentagon is also subject to strict spending limits, he can argue that his more than $50 billion in cuts to programs like the Environmental Protection Agency and Legal Aid are honest attempts to control federal spending. 


Trump's FY2020 Budget Request Bloats Militarized Spending—and Slashes Actual Human Needs

At long last, President Trump released his third presidential budget request today, after a month-long delay due to the government shutdown. And it’s a doozy.


Tell Congress to Use Their Power: No National Emergency at the Border

The president will declare a national emergency in order to commandeer federal funds to build his wall, according to reports today.