#National Debt

If President Obama and Republican leaders in Congress hope to build consensus around a plan for fiscal sustainability, they are off on the wrong track. They seem instead to be sharpening their differences.A meaningful long-term plan will require compromises in…

House Republicans have adopted a budget they say will make tough but necessary spending cuts to rein in our nation’s burgeoning budget deficits. President Obama says the Republican plan is too radical. He hit the road last week to sell…

"Where is all of the money going?" While filling out tax returns and writing checks to the federal government, people often ask this question. Finding answers became easier last week when the White House released an online federal tax receipt.By…

President Obama has jumped into the debate over long-term fiscal responsibility with a plan that differs sharply from the one unveiled earlier this month by Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), chairman of the House Budget Committee. In a welcome move, Obama…

Here is a trivia question: Under which scenario would Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid make up the larger share of non-interest (i.e. “primary”) federal government spending?A. President Obama’s budgetB. Rep. Paul Ryan’s budget (House Budget Committee)The answer is B.Under Ryan’s…

President Obama on Wednesday will propose a broad plan to reduce significantly deficits in the coming years, according to the White House.This is a promising indication that the President will become more focused on the most serious long-term fiscal challenges…

The Treasury Department now estimates that the federal government will reach its legal debt limit no later than May 16, although it could use “extraordinary measures” to avoid default through July 8.Some members of Congress have suggested that refusing to…

With the continuing resolution (CR) that currently funds government agencies set to expire on Friday, policymakers will need to reach agreement this week on a new resolution to avoid a government shutdown.Yesterday Republicans on the House Appropriations Committee proposed yet…