What Are Treasury’s “Extraordinary Measures” on the Debt Ceiling?
When the government reaches its debt ceiling, the Treasury can use various accounting maneuvers, so-called “extraordinary measures,” to forestall a default.
Read MoreBudget Basics: The National Flood Insurance Program
The National Flood Insurance Program is run by the federal government to reduce the impact of flooding on private and public structures.
Read MoreQuiz: How Much Do You Know About the U.S. Tax System?
The lengthy and complex United States tax code can be difficult to understand. Take our quiz to see how much you really know.
Read MoreNo Tax on Social Security Would Weaken Both Social Security and Medicare
Republicans in Congress are considering several new tax cuts that would reduce federal revenues by trillions of dollars over the next decade.
Read MoreSocial Security Reform: Options to Adjust Benefits
A well-designed benefit reduction policy would improve the equitability by better balancing the payouts between low- and high-income earners, say proponents.
Read MoreHow Much Can the Administration Really Save by Cutting Down on Improper Payments?
Cutting down on improper payments could increase program efficiency, bolster Americans’ confidence in their government, and safeguard taxpayer dollars.
Read MoreHow Do States Pay for Medicaid?
Medicaid’s role in state budgets is unique, since the program acts as both an expenditure and the largest source of federal support in state budgets.
Read MoreHow Does Government Healthcare Spending Differ From Private Insurance?
Government insurance programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, made up 45 percent, or $1.9 trillion, of national healthcare spending.
Read MoreA Bipartisan Roadmap for Social Security Reform
Lawmakers are running out of time before automatic reductions to benefits are activated; the Brookings Institution plan is a valuable contribution to the policy discussion.
Read MoreU.S. Population Growth Is Slowing Down — Here’s What That Means for the Federal Budget
Understanding how demographic challenges contribute to the United States’ fiscal challenges can help policymakers adopt fiscally sustainable policies.
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