National Priorities Project (NPP) makes our complex federal budget transparent and accessible so people can exercise their right and responsibility to oversee and influence how their tax dollars are spent.
NPP envisions and works for an effective and accountable federal government that promotes our general welfare. We believe the U.S. federal budget will reflect the values and priorities of the majority of Americans when all people have the opportunity and ability to participate in shaping the nation's budget.
Most of us in the United States don’t know where or how our federal tax dollars are spent. Many factors have distanced us from the personal and societal impact of federal spending, and barriers have prevented us from having influence over the creation and oversight of our national budget.
The federal budgeting process should be open and participatory, with elected officials fully accountable to their constituents. Making this a reality is crucial for a healthy and robust democracy.
National Priorities Project opens the federal budget door for people to understand how and where their tax dollars are spent, and how and when they can influence budget decisions. Clear budget information – put into the hands of individuals and community organizations, policy makers and the media – empowers all Americans to influence our national priorities. By analyzing and interpreting budget information, the work of NPP strengthens movements, ensures a more just and equitable national budget, and brings us closer to the promise of democracy.
NPP takes action in a variety of ways, shifting as new technologies and communication outlets emerge:
