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Budget Basics Archive
Federal trust funds bear little resemblance to their private-sector counterparts.
Broadband is an indispensable tool for aspects of everyday life such as employment, education, and healthcare. As a result, federal policymakers have prioritized funding it.
In light of the growing urgency of the climate crisis, many lawmakers, advocacy groups, and American citizens are calling for the government to undertake policies to more comprehensively address climate change.
Medicare is an essential health insurance program serving millions of Americans, and a major part of the federal budget and our fiscal outlook.
Social Security is the largest single program in the federal budget and makes up approximately one quarter of total federal spending.
Here are the top ten spending categories for the federal budget.
The United States spent $725 billion on national defense during fiscal year (FY) 2020 according to the Office of Management and Budget, which amounts to 11 percent of federal spending.
Reconciliation provides for expedited consideration of certain legislation; its use is particularly important in the Senate because it limits the time allowed for debate and prevents the inclusion of non-budgetary provisions.
Public schools for students in kindergarten through 12th grade are financed through a combination of local, state, and federal dollars in proportions that vary across and within states.
Presently, revenues raised by the corporate income tax represent the third-largest category of federal tax revenue in the United States, trailing those generated from the individual income and payroll taxes.