Skip to content
Peter G. Peterson Foundation logo
  • The Fiscal Challenge
    • Our National Debt
    • Understanding The Federal Budget
  • Issues
    • See all issues ›
    • Fiscal Outlook
    • Healthcare
    • Social Programs
    • The U.S. Budget
    • Defense Spending
    • Policy Proposals
    • Individual Taxes
    • Corporate Taxes
    • Economic Outlook
    • Democracy
  • Programs & Projects
    • See all programs ›
    • Advancing Fiscal Policy
    • Engaging Young Americans
    • Strengthening Our Democracy
    • Convening Experts
  • Resources
  • Press
  • Grants
  • About
    • About the Peterson Foundation
    • Our Founder
    • Careers
Subscribe

SIGN UP FOR OUR
NEWSLETTER

Register with us to become part of an important movement to develop long-term, nonpartisan fiscal solutions for a healthy growing economy. By signing up, you’ll receive our email newsletter with relevant and timely information on economic and fiscal policy.

Consent

Our Sites

National Debt Clock

Peterson Center on Healthcare

Peterson Health Technology Institute

Peterson Philanthropies

Peterson Solutions Fund

Up to Us

Twitter - Peterson Foundation Facebook - Peterson Foundation Youtube - Peterson Foundation Linkedin - Peterson Foundation
  • Press
  • Grants
  • About
    • About the Peterson Foundation
    • Our Founder
    • Impact Report
    • Careers
Subscribe

SIGN UP FOR OUR
NEWSLETTER

Register with us to become part of an important movement to develop long-term, nonpartisan fiscal solutions for a healthy growing economy. By signing up, you’ll receive our email newsletter with relevant and timely information on economic and fiscal policy.

Consent

Our Sites

National Debt Clock

Peterson Center on Healthcare

Peterson Health Technology Institute

Peterson Philanthropies

Peterson Solutions Fund

Up to Us

Twitter - Peterson Foundation Facebook - Peterson Foundation Youtube - Peterson Foundation Linkedin - Peterson Foundation
Subscribe

SIGN UP FOR OUR
NEWSLETTER

Register with us to become part of an important movement to develop long-term, nonpartisan fiscal solutions for a healthy growing economy. By signing up, you’ll receive our email newsletter with relevant and timely information on economic and fiscal policy.

Consent

  • The Fiscal Challenge
    • Our National Debt

      Understand the U.S. national debt, why it matters, and what we can do.

      Understanding the Federal Budget

      Learn about the budget, how it’s created, and how we can fix our budgeting process.

      $39T

      National Debt

      $1T

      FY26 Deficit

  • Issues
      • Fiscal Outlook

      • The U.S. Budget

      • Policy Proposals

      • Individual Taxes

      • Corporate Taxes

      • Democracy

      • Healthcare

      • Social Programs

      • Defense Spending

      • Economic Outlook

      • See all Issues

  • Programs and Projects
      • Advancing Fiscal Solutions

      • Engaging Young Americans

      • Strengthening Our Democracy

      • Convening Experts

      • See all Programs

  • Resources

IRS Staffing Cuts Will Reduce Revenues, Driving Deficits Higher

By jcurry | May 26, 2026
IRS processing center

Reductions in IRS personnel decrease federal revenues, increase deficits, and significantly exacerbate the gap between taxes that are owed and taxes that are actually paid.

Read More

What Is a Value-Added Tax and Should the United States Have One?

By jcurry | May 21, 2026
Shopper and cashier

Almost all developed economies have a value-added or similar consumption tax — but the United States does not.

Read More

A Gas Tax Holiday Costs Billions, But Consumers See Only Marginal Savings

By jcurry | May 15, 2026
Gas station

If the full savings from the gas tax holiday were passed on to consumers, the average licensed driver would only save approximately $8.90 per month.

Read More

Chart Pack: The U.S. Budget

By briteweb | May 12, 2026
Chart Packs

A selection of key charts that give an overview of the major components in the U.S. federal budget.

Read More

The United States Spends More on Defense than the Next 6 Countries Combined

By briteweb | May 7, 2026
A U.S. soldier mans a gun at the back gate aboard a helicopter

Defense spending by the United States accounted for 33 percent of military expenditures by countries around the world.

Read More

Budget Basics: What Is the Earned Income Tax Credit?

By briteweb | May 4, 2026
Fast food workers

The earned income tax credit (EITC) is a measure administered through the tax code to address poverty.

Read More

How Much Does the Government Spend on International Affairs?

By briteweb | April 28, 2026
An aid worker distributes measured portions of yellow lentils

Federal spending for international affairs, which supports American diplomacy and development aid, is a small portion of the U.S. budget.

Read More

What Is Inflation and Why Does It Matter?

By briteweb | April 28, 2026

Here’s an overview of inflation, why it matters, and how it’s managed.

Read More

5 Key Facts About Rising Healthcare Spending in the United States

By svillarreal | April 20, 2026
Doctors and nurses tend to a hospital patient

Healthcare spending in the United States is a key driver of the nation’s fiscal imbalance and has risen notably over the past few decades.

Read More

The Highway Trust Fund Explained

By briteweb | April 16, 2026
Aerial view of highway interchange

The funding structure of the Highway Trust Fund requires serious, long-term changes, but how to approach reform remains a topic of debate.

Read More
Older Posts »

Recent Posts

    Recent Comments

    No comments to show.

    Get Involved

    Register with us to become part of an important movement to develop long-term fiscal solutions for a healthy growing economy. By signing up, you’ll receive our email newsletter with relevant and timely information on economic and fiscal policy.

    Take action

    Learn what you can do.

    Explore

    Read and share insights on the issues we face.

    Peter G. Peterson Foundation logo
    Twitter - Peterson Foundation Facebook - Peterson Foundation Youtube - Peterson Foundation Linkedin - Peterson Foundation
    the foundation

    Home
    Issues
    Press

    about

    About
    Our Founder
    Careers

    Our Organizations
    PCH Logo
    Peterson Philanthropies
    Peterson Solutions Fund Logo
    Peterson-Health-Techonology-logo-color 1

    Copyright © 2026 Peter G. Peterson Foundation. 
All rights reserved.      Copyright Policy     |      Privacy Policy     |     Terms of Use     |     Permissions