Budget Matters Blog


International Open Data Day 2014

February 22 is International Open Data Day. Celebrate by checking out some of NPP's open data tools.


Wow! National Priorities Project nominated for 2014 Nobel Peace Prize.

National Priorities Project has been nominated for the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize by the International Peace Bureau.


Congress Passes Clean Debt Ceiling Bill

The battle to pass a debt ceiling suspension bill is finally over. Earlier this week, lawmakers in the House of Representatives passed a suspension of the debt ceiling until March 15, 2015. Yesterday, after a dramatic vote to end debate on the bill, Senate leaders voted 55-43 to pass the House version of the debt ceiling suspension. 


Three Dangerous Myths About the Debt Ceiling. Again.

Will lawmakers act in time to avoid the dangerous debt ceiling limit?


Congress Doesn’t Restore Unemployment Insurance Despite Weak Job Growth

Late last week, Senate lawmakers failed to reach an agreement to restore jobless aid to 1.7 million unemployed workers. The Senate voted 58-40 Thursday on a proposal that would have reinstated unemployment insurance benefits through the end of March, just two votes shy of the 60 votes needed to end debate on the bill.


Debt Ceiling Deadline 2014

A few glimmers of hope came from Washington in recent months. Lawmakers agreed on a bipartisan budget resolution. 


Farm Bill Passes in House; Makes Cuts to Food Stamps

House lawmakers passed a five-year farm bill this week that would cut Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits by $800 million per year, which amounts to a 1 percent cut to the program’s $80 billion annual cost. Senate lawmakers are scheduled to vote on the bill Monday.


What President Obama's State of the Union Said about Your Priorities

Yesterday we published your priorities for the State of the Union – what you told us, by social media and e-mail, that you wanted the president to tackle in his speech. 


What You Want in President Obama's State of the Union

By e-mail and social media, we asked you to weigh in about what you think the president should cover during his speech – about what actions he should take in the coming year. Here's what you said.


Federal Spending: the Missing Money

NPP visited DC to advocate for federal spending data that captures the flow of federal money to states and communities.