FISCAL BLOG

It may be counterintuitive, but government shutdowns are expensive. They are also bad for the economy.

A continuing resolution is a temporary funding measure that Congress can use to fund the federal government for a limited amount of time.

Despite a growing economy and low unemployment, federal budget deficits are projected to grow over the next 10 years.

Since the shutdown began, about 800,000 federal employees have been furloughed or are working without pay.

Budget process rules like PAYGO help ensure that fiscal considerations are an important part of policymaking.

The 116th Congress also marks a return to divided government with the Senate controlled by Republicans and the House by Democrats. This new landscape in Washington means there is both a requirement and a valuable opportunity for lawmakers to work together on fiscal solutions.

Although a return to a normalized interest environment is a good sign for the overall strength of the economy, rate increases will make it more expensive for families and the government to borrow.

There are three widely used measures of federal debt. What are the important differences between these measurements?

The federal deficit is growing during a period of economic expansion — a pattern that is highly unusual.

It’s important for lawmakers to consider the many available policy options for improving that outlook.