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
What Is SNAP? An Overview of the Largest Federal Anti-Hunger Program
SNAP has a positive effect on poverty and food insecurity, with a relatively small effect on the federal budget.
Budget Basics: Federal Trust Funds
Federal trust funds bear little resemblance to their private-sector counterparts.
Spending on Veterans in the Budget
Federal spending for veterans has increased relatively sharply in the past two decades as scores of veterans returned home from extended wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.