Infographic: The Facts About U.S. Defense Spending
National security is both a vital priority and a significant part of the federal budget. Consequently, negotiating levels of defense spending is often one of the more contentious parts of the budget process. To help put those debates in perspective, the infographic below provides an overview of U.S. defense spending and its place in the overall budget.
The good news is that there are ways of ensuring America’s security while strengthening our fiscal and economic outlook. Read more about the policy options.
Further Reading
The Four Key Institutions in the Federal Budget Process
Four institutions provide the analytical foundation for nearly every federal budget decision.
Budget Basics: National Defense
The national defense budget funds a wide range of activities and represents a significant share of overall federal spending.
How Much Do We Spend on the Federal Workforce?
Here, we examine the federal government’s expenditure on its workforce, the evolution of its size over time, and the opportunities for budget savings.