Budget Matters Blog

Entries By Mattea Kramer


Who Won and Lost in the 2014 Budget

Lawmakers have introduced a $1.1 trillion omnibus spending bill that will finally complete the budgeting process for the federal government's fiscal year 2014.


Will Unemployment Be Extended into 2014?

Emergency unemployment benefits expired at the end of December and cut off jobless aid to 1.3 million out-of-work Americans. Whether benefits will be extended is now the top debate in Washington.


War on Poverty: 50 Years Later

Today marks the 50th anniversary of the War on Poverty, which renewed a commitment to federal funding for programs to help struggling Americans. Here's a list of resources that illustrate how these federal programs are faring 50 years later.


Senate Passes Budget Deal; Moves to President's Desk

Yesterday evening in a vote of 64 to 36, the Senate passed the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013.


Who Won and Lost in Today's Budget Deal

Senate Budget Chair Patty Murray, and her House counterpart Rep. Paul Ryan, yesterday reached a deal determining federal spending for the next two years. But who won and who lost?


Budget Deadline Nears – How Will Lawmakers Tackle Sequestration and the 2014 Budget?

Remember the outrageous 16-day government shutdown? Congress ended it by establishing deadlines for passing a budget, and the first of those deadlines is fast approaching. 


Poll: Americans Want Wealthiest to Pay More in Taxes

A new poll just released by Americans for Tax Fairness found that 65 percent of voters across the country want the top 2 percent to pay more in taxes


FAQ: Corporate Tax Breaks and Tax Reform

Imagine that tax day rolls around and – instead of paying any taxes at all – Uncle Sam sends you a check for millions or even billions of dollars.


Lawmakers Called Cancer Treatment for Children "Nonessential"

The government shutdown allowed us to glimpse our lawmakers' values, and what we saw was ugly.


Congress Approves Deal to Reopen Government, Raise Debt Ceiling

After more than two weeks of the government shutdown, Congress approved a deal to fund the government through Jan. 15 and raise the debt ceiling through Feb. 7.