Top Features
A Path to Balance
Michael Ettlinger, Michael Linden, and Lauren Bazel outline a strategy for realigning the federal budget.
Deal with It
Michael Ettlinger and Michael Linden explain how we got to massive deficits and how we can begin thinking about solutions.
Developing a Progressive Approach to the National Deficit
CAP teamed up with the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities to map out an approach to shrinking the long-term national deficit.Other Federal Budget Features
March 10, 2010
The Math Is Clear
Enacting a comprehensive health care reform will pave the way to reduce our long-term federal budget deficit, writes Michael Linden.
February 18, 2010
Deficits and Debt by the Numbers
A by-the-numbers piece gives a picture of the United States’ dire fiscal situation.
February 18, 2010
Doing What Works
A report by John D. Podesta and Reece Rushing stresses on the importance of transforming and modernizing government from top to bottom.
February 5, 2010
Key Investments, Important Reforms, and Tough Choices for Education
The president’s budget prioritizes student achievement and shows a willingness to try innovative strategies to get there.
February 4, 2010
Quadrennial Defense Review Fails to Match Resources to Priorities
Lawrence J. Korb, Sean E. Duggan, and Laura Conley analyze the Obama administration’s first Quadrennial Defense Review and find it lacking in several areas.
February 3, 2010
Un Paso Para Cerrar las Brechas de las Disparidades en el Cuidado de la Salud
Lesley Russell detalla las provisiones en el propuesto presupuesto federal del Presidente Barack Obama que ayudarían a que las minorías raciales y étnicas obtengan mejor atención médica.
February 2, 2010
A Move to Close the Health Care Disparities Gap
Lesley Russell details provisions in President Barack Obama’s proposed federal budget that would help racial and ethnic minorities get better health care.
February 2, 2010
The United States of Science
The Obama administration’s budget for 2011 will be remembered by economic and science historians as a turning point for our nation in the 21st century, writes Jonathan D. Moreno.
February 2, 2010
Another Green Budget
Clean-energy investments in the president’s budget would help kick start the economy and build sustainable, long-term growth, writes Daniel J. Weiss.
February 2, 2010
Healthy Budget, Healthy Nation
The president’s budget builds on current health care investments while underscoring the need for comprehensive health care reform, write Karen Davenport and Ellen-Marie Whelan.
February 2, 2010
Slimming Down the Defense Budget
The Defense Department will need to begin cutting unnecessary and underperforming programs to bring the budget under control, write Lawrence Korb, Laura Conley, and Sean Duggan.
February 1, 2010
The Revenue and Spending Mismatch
Michael Linden and Michael Ettlinger explain the relationship between federal revenues and expenditures and how we got into this sinkhole of debt.
February 1, 2010
A Very Obama Budget
The president’s 2011 budget reflects a balance of critical investments from health care to the economy, education, and energy—seasoned with fiscal responsibility, writes Michael Ettlinger.
January 29, 2010
Frozen Budgets Can Be Dangerous to Your Health
Congress needs to think carefully about how much of the budget it freezes, writes Scott Lilly.
January 29, 2010
Can Freezing Budgets Catalyze Cultural Change?
Freezing discretionary budgets within the federal government could create cultural change across a range of federal agencies, writes Jitinder Kohli, but it has to be done right.
January 26, 2010
CBO’s Projections Highlight Budget Challenges
The Congressional Budget Office’s new predictions on the budget and economic growth underscore the need to mend the country’s finances and boost the economy, writes Michael Linden.
January 20, 2010
How to Spot a Deficit Peacock
Use these simple tests to find out if someone is really interested in reducing the deficit or just wants to score political points.
November 17, 2009
Breaking Down the Deficit
Michael Linden looks at how spending and tax revenues contributed to 2009’s federal budget deficit.
November 16, 2009
Bush Budget Bomb About to Blow
A tax loophole that will allow high-income earners to invest in Roth IRAs beginning in January 2010 is a shortsighted scheme that is fiscally irresponsible and economically backward, write Isha Vij and Michael Linden.
November 2, 2009
Ask the Expert: Health Spending Drives Deficits
Without reform, the federal government will spend more on health care in 2019 than any other category, including defense or social security, explains Michael Linden.
October 26, 2009
Health Care Spending Is Driving Future Deficits
CBO estimates that federal spending on health care by 2019 will be the largest category of federal spending, outstripping defense, social security and all other programs, writes Michael Linden.
October 13, 2009
This Week in Congress: October 13-16, 2009
This week Congress continues to discuss appropriations for fiscal year 2010 and will consider regulatory reform and extending further unemployment benefits for the long-term unemployed.
October 5, 2009
This Week in Congress: October 5-9, 2009
This week Congress continues to debate health care reform and discusses fiscal year 2010 appropriations bills.
September 30, 2009
Deficits and Debt 101
Michael Linden answers basic questions on federal deficits and debt and what can be done to reduce them.
August 25, 2009
Who's to Blame for the Deficit Numbers?
Forty percent of the new deficit numbers is due to President Bush, 20 percent to the economic downturn, and 16 percent to Obama's efforts to save the economy, write Michael Ettlinger and Michael Linden.
April 10, 2009
Weekly Round Up: April 6 - 10, 2009
This week, CAP proposed smart ways to spend stimulus money, reform health care and the defense budget, and make the Treasury's toxic asset program work.
April 9, 2009
Getting the Defense Budget Under Control
Gates’ budget shows much needed responsibility, and follows recommendations that CAP has been making for the past four years, writes Lawrence J. Korb.
April 8, 2009
Gates’ Weapons Cuts Will Make Us Safer
Finally we have a Defense Secretary who is brave enough to stand down the critics who are already accusing him of weakening America.
April 6, 2009
Public Opinion Snapshot: Public Backs Obama's Budget
The public isn’t buying conservatives’ efforts to thwart Obama’s ambitious and necessary budget, writes Ruy Teixeira.
March 20, 2009
Stay the Course
The Congressional Budget Office’s new budget projections show the need for action, writes Michael Ettlinger.
March 9, 2009
President Obama's Priorities for the Economy
Michael Ettlinger discusses what President Obama's budget blueprint says about his priorities and how it will affect the economy.
March 9, 2009
Public Opinion Snapshot: Public to Conservatives: Get with the Program
Conservatives’ opposition to Obama’s spending plan is not in line with the public’s approval of broad spending plans, writes Ruy Teixeira.
March 4, 2009
Helping Those Most in Need
President Obama's budget blueprint for 2010 ensures the fight against poverty in our country becomes a top priority, observes Joy Moses.
February 27, 2009
Weekly Round Up: February 23 - 27, 2009
Our experts analyzed Obama's budget, offered ideas for how to bring the electrical grid into the 21st century, and responded to Obama's call for a college education for all.
February 27, 2009
One Step Closer to Better Health Care
The Obama administration’s budget contains promising evidence that health care reform is a top priority, writes Karen Davenport.
February 26, 2009
Investing Wisely in Our Children
Obama’s new budget blueprint includes much-needed money alongside critical reforms to transform our public schools, write Cynthia Brown and Melissa Lazarin.
February 26, 2009
A New, Ambitious Course of Action
Michael Ettlinger provides analysis on President Obama’s blueprint for the federal government, which prioritizes spending on health care, energy, and education.
February 26, 2009
Obama’s Defense Budget Is on Target
The $534 billion the president proposed for defense spending is adequate to maintain troop quality and infrastructure, and modernize the force, writes Lawrence Korb.
January 16, 2009
Stimulative Action
Congress and the Obama transition team are off to a good start in defusing a dangerous economic crisis, writes Scott Lilly.
January 6, 2009
The Stimulus: Four Reasons We Can't Afford Not to Have One
A direct economic stimulus package is exactly what we need in the current crisis.
November 20, 2008
How to Love Trillion-Dollar Deficits
Matt Miller: This reformed fiscal conservative has stopped worrying about the nation's ballooning deficit. You should too.
May 13, 2008
Interactive Map: What Are You Paying for the War?
See how much taxpayers in each state could now be paying based on the president's new request to fund operations in Iraq through the end of the year.
April 7, 2008
This Week in Congress 4.7.08 - 4.11.08
CAP prepares you for testimony from Petraeus and Crocker, the Senate housing package, and international trade and the farm bill.
March 31, 2008
This Week in Congress 3.31.08 - 4.4.08
CAP has the resources you need to stay on top of this week's big issues on the hill, from the budget to housing and Iraq.
March 10, 2008
This Week in Congress 3.10.08 - 3.14.08
CAP has the resources you need to stay on top of this week's big issues on the hill, from the budget to FISA and Iraq.
March 4, 2008
Regaining America’s Competitive Edge: Energy Research and Development by the Numbers
CAP's by the numbers look at why the energy research-and-development budget must be doubled to transition to a low-carbon economy.
February 20, 2008
Major Weapon Systems Are Another Victim of Iraq
Despite record defense budgets, the war in Iraq continues to erode U.S. military readiness, writes Scott Lilly.
February 8, 2008
Bush’s Energy Budget: Proposals Not Consistent with Claims
Bush may say he wants to take on climate change, but his budget proposals for energy programs suggest otherwise.
February 6, 2008
Treating a Symptom, Not a Disease
Bush has again offered dangerous policy prescriptions that would further damage our broken health care system, says Karen Davenport.
February 5, 2008
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