Federal Budget Process
Government Shutdowns
Government shutdowns can happen when Congress fails to pass the annual federal budget or a continuing resolution within the dates established by the Constitution and federal law. What happens during a government shut down?
Shrimp Treadmill Study Paid for With Taxpayer Money
Find out how much the controversial shrimp treadmill cost taxpayers. See how the National Science Foundation defended the research. Learn about what the research was used for.
Why the Government Doesn't Actually Close During a Government Shutdown
Find out why the federal government stays open even during a government shutdown. Learn which services the government continues to provide during a government shutdown. See examples of how the government operated during a government shutdown in recent history.
What is the Antideficiency Act?
Read a description of the Antideficiency Act. Find out what the Antideficiency Act says about government shutdowns. Learn about the history of the Antideficiency Act. FInd out what happens when the government violates the Antideficiency Act.
What the Debt Ceiling Bill Does
Details of the Budget Control Act of 2011, which raised the debt limit, cut spending and averted a U.S. debt default.
Did ACORN Affiliate Illegally Get Taxpayer Money?
Read about claims that the Obama administration illegally funded an ACORN affiliate after the congressional ban on using taxpayer money for the group. Find out how the administration responded to the allegations. See the history of the controversy surrounding the activist group.
How the Debt Ceiling Debate Hurt America
Find out how the contentious debt ceiling debate of 2011 caused big problems for the United States. Read about the credit rating downgrade that followed the debate. Learn about the effects of Washington partisanship on your tax money.
Debt Ceiling History
Read about the US debt ceiling history. Learn about the statutory cap on federal borrowing. See how much the government limit on debt was through the years.
What is the Debt Ceiling?
Learn about the debt ceiling in this explanation of what the debt ceiling is. Find out what the debt ceiling currently is in the United States. Discover what the debt ceiling has been in the recent past.
Debt Ceiling Increase of 2011
Read about the debt ceiling increase of 2011. Learn about the controversy over hiking the statutory ceiling on federal borrowing. See how many times the level has been increased through history and under President Barack Obama.
What is the Super Congress?
Find out what a Super Congress is. See who was appointed to the panel in 2011. Learn about the duties of lawmakers who served on the elite committee. Read about the controversy that led to a Super Congress in the first place.
GAO Warns Climate Change Could Drain Federal Budget
The federal government is not prepared to deal with potential financial losses resulting from climate change, the GAO reports.
Budget Deficit History
Find out what the U.S. budget deficit was by year. See how much more the government spends than it takes in every year. Learn which years the federal government actually ran a surplus.
Federal Budget Process
Preparing and approving America's budget is one of the most important and difficult jobs of the President and Congress. How does it all come together? From your About.com Guide.
Surplus? U.S. Debt Pushes $6 Trillion
The national debt was $5,662,225,814,331.71 on Oct. 5, 2000. How long would it take to pay it off at a-dollar-a-second? Learn this fascinating fact, as well as the difference between the debt and the deficit, and where this "surplus" came from. From your About Guide.
Government Shutdown?
What can happen if the Federal Budget is not approved by Congress before the start of the government's fiscal year? From your About.com Guide.
Costs of Government: Capitol Buildings
From the FY 2000 Federal Budget, funds allocated for repairs, improvements, and maintenance to the White House, Capitol Building and Capitol grounds. From your About.com Guide.
Citizens Against Government Waste
How is your money spent? Sometimes wisely, sometimes... Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) is a private, non-partisan, non-profit organization representing more than one million members and supporters nationwide. CAGW's mission is to eliminate the waste, mismanagement, and inefficiency in the federal government.
A Citizen's Guide to the Federal Budget
A simple, complete breakdown of the FY 2001 federal budget from the Government Printing Office. Clearly lays out revenues and expenditures, plus the budget process itself,
Budget of the United States Government
The entire Federal Budget for the current and several past fiscal years. From the GPO, documents can be viewed online or downloaded to your PC. (.pdf files for Adobe Acrobat reader.)
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
A nonpartisan research organization and policy institute that conducts research and analysis on a range of government policies and programs, with an emphasis on those affecting low- and moderate-income people.
Citizens For Tax Justice
Bi-partisan analysis of federal, state, and local tax issues and their impact on taxpayers. Also, analysis of new and proposed tax laws and legislation.
Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
The Executive agency responsible for preparation and submission to Congress of the annual Federal Budget.
Saving Taxpayers' Dollars - How do you think the government c…
How do you think the government could save money?