Government Spending
Pelosi, Schumer Pitch Trump on Spendy, Protectionist Infrastructure Package
The president continues to move closer to Democratic proposals on infrastructure spending.
Here's What's in Beto O'Rourke's $5 Trillion Plan To Fight Climate Change
O'Rourke wants net-zero emissions by 2050.
D.C. Water Spent Nearly $4,000 On Its Wendy the Water Drop Mascot
The feds aren't the only ones capable of designing cringe-worthy mascots.
New York's $175 Billion State Budget Includes Spending Hikes, 'Mansion Taxes,' and Plastic Bag Bans
The Empire State's new budget grows government spending and red tape.
Beto O'Rourke, 2012: 'We Cannot Continue to Spend Ourselves into Ruin'
The 2020 presidential candidate ran on spending cuts, troop withdrawls, and means-testing Social Security while primarying an incumbent Democrat 7 years ago.
Trump's Budget Shortchanges the Prison Reform Bill He Signed
The FIRST STEP Act called for $75 million for reentry programs. It's not listed in the White House's summary.
Everyone Agrees Government Is a Hot Mess. So Why Does It Keep Getting Bigger Anyway?
When libertarians dole out blame for the growth of government, perhaps we should take a look in the mirror.
Pentagon Spent $4.6 Million on Lobster Tail and Crab in One Month
Chalk it up to use-it-or-lose-it spending.
White House's New Budget Gimmick: Include Immigration Enforcement Spending in the Uncapped Budget for Foreign Wars
Incredibly, the White House is trying to pitch this chicanery as an exercise in fiscal responsibility. Congress shouldn't buy it.
Study: Green New Deal Could Cost More Than $90 Trillion
Whether its supporters care is another question.
How to Go From Government Shutdown to National Emergency in Just Two Weeks: Reason Roundup
Plus: Congress forgets to fund the First Step Act, The New York Times chastises smug politicians over Amazon, and what if the U.S. were 100 city-states?
New Bipartisan Spending Deal Includes Billions More for Border Barriers, TSA, and Everything In Between
With the federal government $22 trillion in debt, Congress has decided to spend more money.
The Shutdown Was a Failure on Its Own Terms
It will leave us with a bigger, more powerful, and more fragile federal government.
CBO: Budget Deficit Numbers Are Better Than Expected, but We're Still Screwed
Unless we make some big changes, things won't get much better.
New Poll: Medicare for All Is Popular Until You Explain How It Works
Support drops when you tell people it would require higher taxes, longer lines, and switching insurance plans.
Mitch McConnell Predicted the GOP Tax Cut Would Raise Revenue and Reduce the Deficit. Nope.
A year after the tax law, growth is up but tax revenue is down.
Most Americans Want Congress to Fix Budget Crisis, Increase Spending. Huh?
You can't have it both ways.
With Pelosi Back in Power, Impasse Over Border Wall Drags On: Reason Roundup
Plus: Democrats divided on deficit-neutral spending and an autopsy of The Weekly Standard.
Mark Sanford's Farewell: Spending and Debt 'Could Lead to a Future Hitler-like Character'
Departing congressman warns against populism, "cult of personality," "post-truth" politics, and a government spending addiction that threatens to drive the American civilization "extinct."
Will Trump's Stubborn Demand for Wall Funding Keep the Government Shut Down Forever?
No, but it's nice to fantasize.
The Federal Government Has Shut Down. Merry Christmas!
Yes, it's only temporary. But if it stops Trump from blowing money on a stupid border wall, cheer it on.
The Government Is Definitely Going to Shut Down Tonight. Maybe.
No but really, the shutdown is probably going to happen.
A Deficit-Happy Government May Lead to a Debt-Driven Financial Crisis
Get ready for permanent low growth, a stifled entrepreneurial spirit, and high unemployment.
Report: Imprisoning People Who Can't Pay Bail Costs America $15 Billion a Year
Taxpayers shell out big time to keep poor folks who haven't even been convicted of crimes behind bars.
It Looks Like Trump Won't Shut Down the Government Over Border Wall Money
It sounds like Trump is folding, which is probably for the best.
Trump's Border Wall Is a Bad Idea. So Is a Government Shutdown.
The best we can hope for is that Trump gives in.
Rep. Justin Amash: Spending Deal 'Will Be Bad for the American People'
Drama over a possible government shutdown came to a head today. But Amash is sure of "one thing": The eventual deal won't be good for the country.
The Pentagon's Serial Waste and Shoddy Accounting Don't Preclude It From Getting More Money, Apparently
Defense budgeting should be a strategy debate, not a rubber stamp for higher spending
Trump Considers Tying Criminal Justice Reforms to Border Wall Funding
The FIRST STEP Act might get shoved into an end-of-year spending bill.
George H.W. Bush Averts Government Shutdown From the Grave: Reason Roundup
Plus: France postpones planned fuel-tax hike after Yellow Vest protests.
Mitch McConnell Touts Wild Spending Bills as 'Bipartisan' Accomplishments
Should the Senate majority leader really be celebrating more reckless spending?
The Air Force Spent Over $300,000 on 391 Special Coffee Mugs
As it turns out, the 3D-printed solution costs 50 cents
Democratic Presidential Hopefuls Have Big Plans for 2020: They Want to Spend More Money!
Republicans have paved the way for the Democrats' big government agenda.
It's Official: 2018 Federal Deficit Largest Since 2012
The federal government spent $790 billion more than it taxed during fiscal year 2018. The deficit is about to get worse. Much worse.
Pennsylvania's New $4 Million Prison Mail System Brings Privacy Concerns
Civil liberties lawyers worry that sensitive documents could end up in the wrong hands.
After Millions of Dollars Spent and Hundreds of New Lane Miles Built, Bike Ridership Is Down Across America
The 2017 American Community Survey finds the number of people biking to work is falling nationwide.
Rep. Justin Amash Slams 'Pathetic' Spending Bill, Reminds Trump of His Pledge
Trump will "now be put to the test," Amash says.
Another Day, Another Terrible Congressional Spending Bill
If there's something the government does well, it's spend money.
Trump Is Mad About the $854 Billion Spending Bill, but Not Because of Its Price Tag
The president is angry that Congress funded other wasteful projects instead of his.
Congress Just Passed a $150 Billion Spending Package Without Any Consideration for Looming Trillion-Dollar Deficit
Just days after the latest CBO projections showed the deficit getting worse, Congress signs off on another bi-partisan spending increase.
#MAGA: Federal Deficit Jumps 32 Percent, Hits $895 Billion for Fiscal 2018!
The economy might be humming but when are we going to have to, you know, pay for the party already?
The $1.7 Billion Federal Job Training Program Is a Massive Failure
The program's goals might be admirable, but the reality is a whole different story.
Senate Budget Votes Are a Sign of the Trump Era's Other Legacy
One of the most lasting consequences of the Trump years will be Republicans' complete abdication of fiscal responsibility.