New York Paid $69 Million to a Shady Vendor for Ventilators That Were Never Delivered
New funding and new powers haven't made government bureaucracies more competent.
Government Spending
Here's Why Rep. Justin Amash Opposes the CARES Act
The libertarian-leaning congressman says the Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses discriminates against those that most need it.
The Next Stimulus: Infrastructure Week, Another Rural Broadband Boondoggle, and Maybe a Sports Bailout?
It's obvious that there will be more government spending in response to the coronavirus, but distinguishing the essential from the nice-to-have is more important than ever.
Health Care Expert Avik Roy on Saving the Economy From COVID-19
"The more we lock down the economy, the more we harm those individuals who are most vulnerable, who don't have the cash cushions or the white-collar jobs that allow them to keep going."
Senate Approves Fourth Round of Coronavirus Spending: $484 Billion for Small Businesses, Testing, Hospitals
The deal primarily sets aside $320 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses.
Budget Deficit Now Expected To Near $4 Trillion This Year
And more coronavirus stimulus spending could send that number soaring higher.
4 Reasons Small Businesses Are Struggling With the Paycheck Protection Program
Unclear terms, unrealistic loan forgiveness, a site unprepared for launch, and a bottomless demand for cash
Unable To Handle Criticism of Coronavirus Stimulus Waste, Trump Fires Another Watchdog
Glenn Fine was abruptly removed from his post without explanation.
Trump Wants $2 Trillion, Pelosi Wants $1 Trillion, for Next Coronavirus Spending Bill
President Donald Trump, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, and Speaker Nancy Pelosi all agree that a fourth spending bill will happen in April but are haggling over the cost.
Coronavirus Reveals Utter Sameness of Democrats and Republicans
The election committees of both parties use the same language to attack Rep. Justin Amash (I–Mich.).
Are There Fiscal Conservatives in a Pandemic? The Club for Growth Says It Doesn't Matter.
The Club for Growth prides itself on holding lawmakers accountable "by publicizing their voting record." Except, well…not right now.
How the Government Bungled the Coronavirus Response
"We have the capacity to keep this contained," Mayor Bill de Blasio told New Yorkers on March 2.
Airlines Make Out Like Bandits in $2.3 Trillion Coronavirus Aid Bill
A lot of industries and individuals are suffering right now. A select few corporations are getting big bailouts.
Massie, and That Pesky Constitution, Hold Up COVID-19 Bailout Bill
Plus: civic dynamism on display, Justice Department embraces home detainment of federal prisoners, and more...
The Senate's COVID-19 Relief Bill Is a Crony Capitalist Dream
Plus: COVID-19 in prisons and jails, Trump campaign threatens TV stations, state disparities in new coronavirus cases, and more...
The Most Libertarian Congressman Wants To Send People Checks. Here's Why.
"Americans need fast, direct relief," says Justin Amash.
Last Week, the Public Transit Industry Asked for $12.8 Billion in Emergency Funding. The Senate GOP Relief Bill Gives Transit $20 Billion. House Dems Want $25 Billion.
The public transit bailout is spiraling out of control.
'It's a Very Large Package': Coronavirus Stimulus Plan Now Costs More Than $1 Trillion
Lawmakers are still seeking a compromise.
A Trillion-Dollar Deficit This Year Is Now Officially the Best Case Scenario
The coronavirus is going to crater tax revenues and hike spending. And the Congressional Budget Office says the deficit was going to exceed $1 trillion even before all that.
The Cronyism Buried in the Latest Coronavirus Relief Bill
It requires companies to allow its workers to take paid sick leave, unless the business employs more than 500 people. What?
Coronavirus Is the Health of the State
The disease will leave behind a residue of laws, spending, and precedents for future government actions.
Dems Want to Combat Coronavirus By Mandating Paid Sick Leave for Stalking Victims?
The House bill seems to be more focused on leveraging political points than fighting coronavirus. Republicans can relate.
No, Stimulus Spending Wouldn't Be an Economic Vaccine Against the Coronavirus
If it works at all (and it usually doesn't), a fiscal stimulus is meant to boost demand. The biggest potential economic problem from coronavirus has to do with supply.
CPAC Promised To Take on Socialism but Couldn't Even Take on Trump's Spending
There was a deficit of debt talk at the conservative conference.
Trump's Proposed Cuts to Farm Subsidies Don't Go Nearly Deep Enough
Instead of taking a little off the top, Trump needs to give farm subsidies a buzz cut.
The National Debt Is 'Unsustainable' and the Pentagon's Finances Are a Total Mess, Federal Audit Says
"Absent policy changes, the federal government continues to face an unsustainable long-term fiscal path," America's top auditor warns. But is anyone listening?
How Much More Should Trump Be Spending on You?
Federal outlays per person have increased $1,441 since 2016, to a grand total of $14,652 per person.
Trump's Budget Follows in the Footsteps of Giant Spenders
It’s a testament to fiscal irresponsibility.
Buttigieg Makes the Democratic Case for Cutting Debt
Plus: Josh Hawley's latest terrible idea, sex work divides NOW, Gary Johnson's 2020 endorsement, and more...
Uncle Sam Doubles Down on His Spending Addiction
The federal government is not a good steward of your money.
Trump Has Fully Embraced the Idea That Deficits Don't Matter
The president likes things big, so that apparently applies to government budgets too.
House Democrats' $760 Billion Infrastructure Proposal Has Lots of Funding Proposals, Few Proposed Funding Sources
The "Moving Forward Framework" includes some sensible reforms alongside expensive, dubious policy proposals.
By Withholding Funds to Ukraine, Trump Broke the Law
The Government Accountability Office says Trump's spending delay was illegal.
The 2020s Will Be the Decade of Deficit Doomsday
America will have to pay for its spending spree and its wars.
Was 2019 the Year of Peak Entitlement Mentality?
Federal budget deficits continue to grow despite a thriving economy
America's Forgotten Debt
Neither party is serious about reining in spending. This is unsustainable.
Should Public Buses Be Free to Riders?
Kansas City wants everyone except bus riders to pay for bus rides.
No, Trump's Food Stamp Plan Wouldn't Have Cut Off AOC's Family
This is why we can't have serious conversations about government spending.
Congress' Continuing Resolution Is an Opportunity for Reform
Budget negotiations offer lawmakers the opportunity to ditch tax carve-outs and cut spending.
Rand Paul: Feds Wasted Millions Subsidizing Serbian Cheese Production
But at least they had enough tax dollars left over to buy a Bob Dylan-made sculpture for the U.S. embassy in Mozambique, and to get zebrafish addicted to nicotine in London.
Ilhan Omar's $1 Trillion Housing Proposal Is an Expensive Joke
The Homes for All Act misdiagnoses the roots of the country's housing problems, then adds a boundless faith in the feds' ability to solve them.
Pentagon's Second Audit Identifies 1,300 New Problems
Despite the failure, Pentagon officials are spinning the audit as a step in the right direction.
The First Amendment and Government Property: Free Speech Rules (Episode 8)
Episode 8 of Free Speech Rules by UCLA Law Professor Eugene Volokh
Pete Buttigieg Has a $1 Trillion Plan to Drive Up Housing, College, and Labor Costs
Dramatic increases in federal spending will not “unlock access” for the poor. It will only help those with the right connections.
Plans by Warren and Sanders Neglect Logic, Math, and Honesty
The Democratic candidates are making promises they can’t deliver.
Federal Deficit Hit $984 Billion Last Year—a Nearly 50 Percent Increase Since Trump Took Office
In three years in office, Trump has added more to the national debt than President George W. Bush did in his entire two terms.
