Federal Budget: Spending and The National Debt

Key Political Economic Measures

This federal budget process document is a quick primer outlining the steps taken as the budget moves from concept to reality.

US Gross National Debt As Percent of Gross Domestic Product, from US Politics

The fevered rhetoric surrounding defense of the US heartland against terrorists is reaching new heights as we approach both the five-year anniversary of 9-11 and another mid-term election. Learn why Eisenhower was concerned about the military-industrial complex and just how much our defense budget costs.

A timline for the Balanced Budget Amendment, which would amend the United States Constitution by requiring -- through law -- that Congress pass a federal budget that balances projected revenues and expenditures, with certain exceptions (notably, a time of war).

The Balanced Budget Amendment would amend the United States Constitution by requiring -- through law -- that Congress pass a federal budget that balances projected revenues and expenditures, with certain exceptions (notably, a time of war). Republicans have historically been the drivers of such an amendment.

Issued by the Office of Management and Budget, the Budget of the United States Government is a collection that contains the budget message of the President, the President's budget proposals for a given fiscal year, and other budgetary publications issued throughout the fiscal year. Other related and supporting budget publications, such as the Economic Report of the President, are included.

The Complete Federal Budget Explorer provides information about budget expenditures by category, as well as the extent of the deficit and debt. It also has an interactive tool (Internet Explorer) which allows you to adjust receipts and expenditures in order to achieve a balanced budget.

Using US Treasury department data, provides a detailed breakdown of budget expenditures and acculumated debt. Explains the difference between deficit and debt and provides links to information on a constitutional amendment to require a balanced budget.

Compares a federal government view of the budget (pie chart) with "a more accurate representation of how your Federal income tax dollar is really spent." Focuses on defense and military spending and off-budget expenses for the war in Iraq.

A browser-neutral simulation, this game provides a feel for the trade-offs needed to create balanced federal budgets. The simulation produces a graph showing the distribution of spending and tax expenditures in several categories.

OMB is part of the executive branch of government and helps the President prepare the proposed federal budget and also to supervise its administration in Executive Branch agencies. Historical data, interim reports, budget analyses.

Overview of issues surrounding the federal budget, how the public defines concerns around the budget, facts and resources.

News, hearings, bills, testimony from the US Senate Budget Committee, chaired by Jim Nussle (R-IA).

News, hearings, bills, testimony from the US Senate Budget Committee, chaired by Judd Gregg (R-NH).

Congress seldom meets the deadlines in the Budget Act of 1974.

Explains entitlement programs and their importance in the federal budget.

Describes the difference between authorization of a program and appropriations for a program.

Why the national debt is becoming a crisis and why Congress is having trouble solving the problem.