Blogs

On a recent day in Florida, hundreds of people gathered to examine federal budget issues, question former members of Congress and push for sustainable fiscal policy. For me, that sparked hope for our nation’s future, even in the face of…

A recent Brookings paper says deficit-financed tax cuts generally do little to boost economic growth, and can even harm it.The authors, William Gale and Andrew Samwick, reviewed historical evidence, simulation models and the experiences of other countries. They found that…

President Obama signed spending legislation late last week that will keep the government open through mid-December but leaves federal agencies unable to plan effectively for the fiscal year that begins a week from tomorrow.The stop-gap measure, also known as an…

In 2011, Medicare spent $170 billion, or 28 percent of its total expenditures, on services for beneficiaries in their last six months of life. But a new report says many of these patients are not receiving the care they want…

Lawmakers have continued to dawdle on a budget for Fiscal 2015, now only two weeks away. House leaders, however, say they hope to move forward shortly on a stop-gap measure.Unable to produce even one of twelve regular spending bills needed…

With Fiscal 2014 winding down, the Treasury Department’s latest monthly statement indicates the federal deficit is heading for another substantial drop. This expected improvement largely reflects a strengthening economy, however, and should not obscure the intermediate- and long-term fiscal challenges…

Updated projections from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) serve as a reminder that the aging of the U.S. population is reshaping government spending -- and that fiscal reforms are needed to prevent harmful economic consequences.“Despite a slowing of health care…

Residents of Rockford, Illinois recently joined U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos and The Concord Coalition to discuss the nation’s fiscal challenges and participate in an interactive exercise to reduce projected federal deficits over the next 10 years.Dozens of people from across…