Federal Budget Analysis

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Competing Visions

March 28, 2012

This week the House of Representatives will consider two significantly different alternatives to the president’s fiscal 2013 budget request— the Republican draft budget resolution, introduced by Rep. Paul Ryan, and an alternative introduced by the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC). The two budgets offer vastly different visions for the nation, and each uses the president’s budget as a baseline to compare their contrasting proposals. Rep. Ryan reduces tax rates as well as spending, finding savings largely from domestic programs that serve low-income people, including Medicaid and the food stamp program. The CPC increases revenues with higher tax rates on wealthy individuals and corporations, while adding substantial new spending for job creation and making few changes to domestic programs.


Tax Day 2012

March 21, 2012

On April 17, 2012, your 2011 federal income tax return is due to the IRS. Where did the federal government spend your income taxes during fiscal year 2011?

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Primary Stakes

March 5, 2012

The presidential election is about voters’ vision for how the federal government should serve the American people, so National Priorities Project is examining the extent to which residents of key primary states currently rely on federal support. Federal money often comprises a third or more of state budgets, while residents of those states receive thousands of dollars of direct federal assistance from programs ranging from Social Security and Medicare to Pell Grants or unemployment compensation.

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President Obama's Fiscal Year 2013 Budget

Feb. 29, 2012

On Feb. 13, the president released his budget proposal for FY 2013. National Priorities Project looks at the numbers, the history behind them, and why the president's budget matters.

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Analysis of Fiscal Year 2013 Pentagon Spending Request

Feb. 16, 2012

On February 14, 2012 the Obama Administration released the government's Fiscal Year 2013 budget request. The budget proposal includes $525 billion for the Department of Defense, not including funding for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan or the nuclear weapons activities of the Department of Energy. The Pentagon is seeking ways to reduce spending by $487 billion over the next decade.


Talking About Military Spending and the Pentagon Budget – Fiscal Year 2013 (And Beyond)

Feb. 8, 2012

An FAQ focused on the immediate and long-term impact of projected Pentagon spending.


An Economy That’s Built to Last: The 2012 State of the Union Address

Jan. 26, 2012

National Priorities Project takes apart President Obama’s last State of the Union Address in his first term as president.


Year End Wrap-Up

Sept. 28, 2011

September 30th marks the end of the fiscal year for the U.S. Government, and if you've had trouble following events in Washington, you're in good company. NPP pulls together key events of 2011 and offers a look ahead to critical decisions awaiting our elected officials.


End of the Year Military Spending Wrap-Up

Aug. 26, 2011

In the coming weeks the “Super Committee” of twelve Senators and Members of Congress will begin deliberating ways to generate as much as $1.5 trillion in deficit reduction over a decade. Beginning with the military, NPP will create a clearer picture of the budgetary decisions that await the Committee.


What's at Stake?

Aug. 22, 2011

What's at Stake? offers 50 state-level briefs focused on the local impact of war spending.