Blogs

Beginning in January, approximately $109 billion in across-the-board spending cuts are scheduled to automatically take effect. Known in budget policy circles as a “sequester,” these cuts are unusual in that the executive branch directs how the spending cuts occur, as…

The Concord Coalition is partnering with “Face the Facts USA,” a nonpartisan project of the George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs to provide the public with key facts between now and the election. The project also includes…

House Republicans last week approved a one-year extension of the Bush-era tax cuts after rejecting a Democratic proposal to limit the extension to family incomes below $250,000 a year.The Republican plan was approved on a 256-171 vote, mostly along party…

Before leaving for the August recess, Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) announced an agreement on a six-month continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government through March at a level consistent with…

Rep. Steven LaTourette’s announcement this week that he will not seek re-election underscores the difficulties that face elected officials who try to take a constructive, bipartisan approach to dealing with the nation’s most important challenges – notably the need for…

Senate Democrats last week approved a one-year extension of the Bush-era tax cuts for families with incomes of up to $250,000, rejecting a Republican plan to extend the cuts for higher incomes as well. The Senate defeated the Republican plan…

As European leaders sought last week to reassure global markets, a forum in Washington outlined the fiscal, financial and economic difficulties that Europe continues to face – and the risks those problems present for the United States. A central theme…

The severe fiscal, financial and economic difficulties in Europe underscore the need for Washington to develop credible plans for comprehensive, long-term fiscal reforms -- in part because spillover problems from Europe could well aggravate U.S. budget challenges. But Europe’s experience…