Budget Matters Blog


House Bill Funds Government for Remainder of the Year

The legislation introduced yesterday would extend the current spending bill through the end of the fiscal year – in other words, Congress is proposing to go through this entire fiscal year without passing an actual budget. However, this new legislation did include an actual budget for just two areas of government – Defense and Military Construction-Veterans Affair.


Sequestration: And so it Begins

Unable to broker an eleventh-hour deal with congressional Republican leaders, President Obama signed the order activating the automatic across-the-board federal spending cuts known as sequestration.


Update: What Is Happening With Sequestration

All signs point to sequestration taking effect as scheduled tomorrow, March 1. To bring you right up to date, here are alternatives to sequestration that have been proposed by both parties.


What Is Sequestration and How Will It Affect Me?

By now you've heard that federal budget cuts will take effect on Friday. And you've heard the strange-sounding name for these cuts: sequestration. No one thought the cuts would actually take effect, but now – it is near certain – they will, and the fallout will reach all of us.


Worried About Spending? Don't Forget the Revenue.

As tax season and Fiscal Cliff II get into full swing, we're highlighting our Federal Tax Collections data in the Federal Priorities Database.


Fiscal Cliff II: It’s Baaaaaaack

Actually, the fiscal cliff never left. If you thought we solved the fiscal cliff with the deal back in January (or even the more recent debt ceiling deal), you’re mistaken.


The President’s State of the Union Address

  Article II of the U.S. Constitution states that the president "shall from time to time give to the Congress information of the State of the Union."While the date is not specified by the Constitution, traditionally the State of the Union takes place in late January. This year President Obama ...


The State of the Union is Government by Crisis

The State of the Union is usually a speech about a vision – not only for the twelve months ahead, but for years to come. This year is different.


Beyond the Fiscal Cliff: Why No Budget Request?

The Budget and Accounting Act of 1921 requires the President to submit his budget request for the upcoming fiscal year no later than the first Monday of February. Recently, however, the White House's Office of Management and Budget (OMB) announced it will delay the scheduled Feb. 4 release of the ...


Why Is Congress So Dysfunctional? (Answer: It's a "Fact-Free Zone")

This country is desperately in need of facts. That was the overwhelming message I took away from two exciting things that happened last week. First, there was a national conference for No Labels. The second event was at the New York Public Library, where I spoke about A People's Guide to the Federal Budget.