May 12, 2008
Seven Reasons to Veto the Farm Bill
By Brian M. Riedl
(Backgrounder #2134)
Since the enactment of the last farm bill in 2002, crop prices and net farm income have more than doubled. Yet the new farm bill ...
April 2, 2008
SOS: Congress Must Save the Aircraft Carrier Fleet
By Mackenzie M. Eaglen and Jim Dolbow
(WebMemo #1880)
Congress should reject the Navy's request to temporarily reduce its fleet of 11 aircraft carriers to 10.
April 2, 2008
More Transportation Spending: False Promises of Prosperity and Job Creation
By Ronald D. Utt, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2121)
With the economy slowing and job growth declining, lobbyists are urging Congress to spend more on transportation to stimulate the economy, but creating jobs is ...
March 31, 2008
Taking Back our Fiscal Future
By Stuart M. Butler, Ph.D., Alison Acosta Fraser and Other Authors
(White Paper )
Taking Back our Fiscal Future
March 26, 2008
2008 Social Security Trustees Report Continues to Show the Urgent Need for Reform
By David C. John
(WebMemo #1868)
David C. John answers frequently asked questions about Social Security's financial outlook.
March 26, 2008
Congress Must Not Ignore the Medicare Trustees' Warning
By Greg D'Angelo and Robert E. Moffit, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1869)
Congress should take steps to transform Medicare from a costly open-ended entitlement program to a defined-contribution program.
March 25, 2008
Medicare and Social Security: The Challenge of Giant Entitlement Costs
By David C. John and Robert E. Moffit, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1867)
Today's report affirms the need for Congress to begin a serious overhaul of both of these vital programs.
March 13, 2008
Fair Tax Policy Requires a Fair Revenue Baseline
By J. D. Foster, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1848)
Congress should use the budget resolution to correct the bias toward higher taxes in the CBO's budget projections.
March 11, 2008
The House Budget Resolution: Tax Hikes Would Harm Economy, Taxpayers
By Shanea Watkins, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1844)
This WebMemo projects the likely impact of the House budget resolution in states and congressional districts.
March 11, 2008
Tax Hikes Hiding in Budget Resolutions' Treatment of AMT Patch
By J. D. Foster, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1846)
Congress should include language in the budget resolution to extend the AMT patch without an accompanying tax hike.
March 11, 2008
A Guide to Fixing Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid
By Brian M. Riedl
(Backgrounder #2114)
Unless lawmakers promptly reform Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, America faces a future of soaring taxes and government spending that will cause poor economic performance. ...
March 10, 2008
The House Budget's $3,000-per-Household Tax Increase
By Brian M. Riedl
(WebMemo #1842)
The White House has responsibly pledged to veto legislation with tax and spending increases that would follow from these proposals. Congress should start over and ...
February 25, 2008
Federal Spending By the Numbers 2008
By Brian M. Riedl
(WebMemo #1829)
A detailed explanation of recent trends in federal spending.
February 19, 2008
Rethinking Social Insurance
By Stuart M. Butler and Maya MacGuineas
(White Paper )
The single greatest threat to the fiscal health of the United States is the runaway growth of the nation's major retirement and health care entitlement ...
February 19, 2008
Providing for the Common Defense: What 10 Years of Progress Would Look Like
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D., Baker Spring, and Mackenzie M. Eaglen
(Backgrounder #2108)
The U.S. military must cap manpower costs, adapt Reserve Component forces, maintain access to cutting-edge technologies, deploy a robust missile defense system, obtain military space ...
February 19, 2008
Executive Summary: Providing for the Common Defense: What 10 Years of Progress Would Look Like
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D., Baker Spring, and Mackenzie M. Eaglen
(Executive Summary #2108)
The U.S. military must cap manpower costs, adapt Reserve Component forces, maintain access to cutting-edge technologies, deploy a robust missile defense system, obtain military space ...
February 12, 2008
The President's Proposals for Medicaid and SCHIP: One Step Forward, One Step Back
By Nina Owcharenko
(WebMemo #1806)
Congress should embrace the President's proposals for Medicaid but reject the increase in SCHIP spending.
February 11, 2008
Make Medicare Budget Options Compatible with Comprehensive Reform
By Robert E. Moffit, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1807)
In response to the trigger in Medicare law, Congress should move the program toward a new system based on free market principles.
February 8, 2008
Congress Should Ignore Budget Requests Relating to the Law of the Sea Treaty
By Steven Groves
(WebMemo #1804)
LOST is a flawed treaty that should not be ratified, much less funded prior to ratification.
February 5, 2008
The President's Medicare Budget: A First Step Toward Entitlement Reform
By Robert E. Moffit, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1797)
It Members of Congress do not agree with the President's proposals, they should develop reasonable alternatives of their own.
February 4, 2008
President's Budget Would Restrain Entitlements and Domestic Discretionary Spending
By Brian M. Riedl
(WebMemo #1794)
Lawmakers should seriously examine the President's proposals to bring long-term sustainability to entitlement spending.
February 4, 2008
Notes on the New 10-Year CBO Budget Baseline
By Brian M. Riedl
(WebMemo #1795)
The best way to get the budget under control is by reforming Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
February 4, 2008
Congress Must Pull the Trigger to Contain Medicare Spending
By Robert E. Moffit, Ph.D., and Alison Acosta Fraser
(WebMemo #1796)
A trigger in Medicare law presents Congress with an opportunity to reform entitlements.
January 25, 2008
President Bush Should Keep His Pledge to Halve the Number of Earmarks
By Brian M. Riedl
(WebMemo #1780)
President Bush should sign an executive order cancelling the vast majority of earmarks.
December 21, 2007
Omnibusted: The Top 10 Worst Problems with the Omnibus Spending Bill
By Nicola Moore
(WebMemo #1760)
Just 10?
December 20, 2007
Omnibus Earmarks Out: President Bush Should Cancel Congress's Pork Spending
By Brian M. Riedl
(WebMemo #1757)
Though Congress brazenly broke its pledge to the American people to reduce earmarks, the President's hands are not necessarily tied to carry out their irresponsible ...
December 18, 2007
The Omnibus: "Stealth" Security Provision is Unnecessary
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1753)
This policy rider threatens both the economy and the integrity of the lawmaking process.
December 18, 2007
Omnibus Prohibits Oil Shale Development
By Nick Loris
(WebMemo #1754)
Spending bills should not include policy riders that stand in the way of U.S. energy independence.
December 18, 2007
Omnibus Eliminates Funding for the Reliable Replacement Warhead Program
By Baker Spring
(WebMemo #1755)
Creating a new nuclear warhead is essential for the security of the United States and its friends and allies.
December 17, 2007
CBO Confirms: Long-Run Fiscal Outlook Remains Grim
By J.D. Foster, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1749)
Congress and the Administration must work together to pass meaningful reforms to entitlement programs and the health care market.
December 17, 2007
Omnibus Spending Bill Busts the Budget to Pay for Pork
By Brian M. Riedl
(WebMemo #1751)
Unless Congress removes its pork from the bill, the President should veto it.
December 14, 2007
Spending Hikes: A Guide to the Gimmicks
By Ernest Istook
(WebMemo #1746)
The omnibus appropriations bill exceeds the advertised $933 billion figure because it is stuffed with billions more in budget tricks and gimmicks.
December 14, 2007
Watch Out for Budget Gimmicks in the Omnibus Appropriations Bill
By Ernest Istook
(WebMemo #1748)
The budget process includes a number of loopholes that Members exploit to increase spending.
December 13, 2007
Scrap the Senate Farm Bill and Start Over
By Brian M. Riedl
(WebMemo #1738)
H.R. 2419 retains an expensive and broken farm susbsidy system.
December 12, 2007
Five Benchmarks for the Omnibus Spending Bill
By Nicola Moore, Stephen Keen, and Brian Riedl
(WebMemo #1737)
If Congress passes a fiscally irresponsible Omnibus Spending Bill, the President should veto it.
November 14, 2007
President's Budget Vetoes Put Needed Brake on Congressional Spending
By Brian M. Riedl
(WebMemo #1702)
Congress should trim pork and other excessive spending from the appropriations bills.
November 5, 2007
The Senate Farm Bill: A Missed Opportunity
By Brian M. Riedl
(WebMemo #1690)
With crop prices soaring, farm incomes setting records, and Congress pledging to reduce the budget deficit, now is an opportune time to reform the bloated ...
October 30, 2007
The Democratic Congress's 2008 Budget: A Tax and Spending Spree
By Brian M. Riedl
(Backgrounder #2081)
Congressional Democrats have portrayed themselves as responsible fiscal stewards who would rein in spending, clean up pork-barrel projects, resist large tax increases, and maintain strict ...
October 23, 2007
National Heritage Areas: Costly Economic Development Schemes that Threaten Property Rights
By Cheryl Chumley and Ronald D. Utt, Ph.D
(Backgrounder #2080)
Rather expand federal involvement in local affairs, Congress should limit existing National Heritage Areas to their initial federal funding caps and enforce the statutory requirement ...
October 23, 2007
Executive Summary: National Heritage Areas: Costly Economic Development Schemes that Threaten Property Rights
By Cheryl Chumley and Ronald D. Utt, Ph.D
(Executive Summary #2080)
Rather expand federal involvement in local affairs, Congress should limit existing National Heritage Areas to their initial federal funding caps and enforce the statutory requirement ...
October 22, 2007
National Heritage Areas: Costly Economic Development Schemes That Threaten Property Rights
By Ronald D. Utt, Ph.D., and Cheryl Chumley
(WebMemo #1671)
If enacted, H.R. 1483 would cost taxpayers an additional $135 million, jeopardize the property rights of private citizens, and distract the NPS from its core ...
October 16, 2007
Washington Metro Needs Reform, Not a Federal Bailout
By Ronald D. Utt, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1665)
Congress should link the continuation of existing federal subsidies to management and labor reforms at the Washington Metro Area Transit Authority.
October 11, 2007
Congress Loads Spending Bills with Pork and Earmarks
By Brian M. Riedl
(WebMemo #1660)
To uphold a promise to voters, the Democratic-led Congress should eliminate the pork-barrel projects in the fiscal year 2008 appropriations bills.
September 28, 2007
Increasing the National Debt Limit Should Spur Congress to Tackle Entitlements
By Nicola Moore
(WebMemo #1648)
Congress must reform entitlements in order to avoid unsustainable levels of debt in the future.
September 27, 2007
State and Local Tax Hikes Add to Federal Tax Relief Pressures
By JD Foster, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1647)
To pay for tax relief and higher-priority spending at the federal level, policymakers should cut back on federal grants to the states.
September 26, 2007
Taxpayers, Beware: Record Tax Burden Is Rising
By JD Foster, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1639)
Before launching a new spate of tax hikes, Members of Congress should consider the historical context of overall tax levels and where those levels are ...
September 26, 2007
Spending Run Amok: President Should Veto Water Resources Development Act
By Nicola Moore and Alison Acosta Fraser
(WebMemo #1641)
WRDA offers more evidence that Members of Congress have abandoned their pledge to get spending under control.
September 24, 2007
Budget Delays Should Not Cause Government Shutdowns
By Brian M. Riedl
(WebMemo #1633)
An automatic continuing resolution would save time and tax dollars while protecting government services in the event of congressional gridlock.
September 20, 2007
Congress Should Link Amtrak's Generous Subsidy to Improved Performance
By Ronald D. Utt, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2072)
Amtrak fails to fill half of its seats on any given day, and ridership has remained largely unchanged since 2005, yet Amtrak receives the highest ...
September 20, 2007
Executive Summary: Congress Should Link Amtrak's Generous Subsidy to Improved Performance
By Ronald D. Utt, Ph.D.
(Executive Summary #2072)
Amtrak fails to fill half of its seats on any given day, and ridership has remained largely unchanged since 2005, yet Amtrak receives the highest ...
September 10, 2007
The Subprime Mortgage Situation: Bailout Not the Right Solution
By Ronald D. Utt, Ph.D., and David C. John
(WebMemo #1604)
The government's response should be limited to dealing with the immediate problem and should not become a vehicle for expanded housing programs or pushing other ...
August 29, 2007
Restoring the American Social Contract
By Stuart M. Butler, Ph.D.
(Heritage Lecture #1039)
Returning to the principles of mutual obligation within a financially responsible framework will restore the American social contract to its original principles as a bargain ...
July 30, 2007
Congressional Spending: Past Abuse Is No Excuse for Today's Excess
By Ernest Istook, Jr.
(WebMemo #1575)
Despite the Democrats’ promise to be more fiscally responsible than their predecessors, Congress is on a spending binge that will harm economic growth and job ...
July 30, 2007
Senate SCHIP Bill Makes a Mockery of PAYGO Budget Rules
By Brian M. Riedl
(WebMemo #1576)
Turning their backs on a campaign promise, Senate Democrats have proposed a bill that would put into motion $60 billion in new deficit spending over ...
July 24, 2007
Don't Be Fooled: House Farm Bill Weakens Payment Limits
By Brian M. Riedl
(WebMemo #1566)
If Congress is serious about ending agricultural corporate welfare, it should lower the income cap for subsidies to $200,000, as President Bush proposed, and retain ...
July 12, 2007
Mid-Session Budget Review Shows Surging Tax Revenues
By Brian M. Riedl
(WebMemo #1549)
Though a rapid increase in federal revenues shows that the 2003 tax cuts have succeeded in boosting economic activity, the entitlement spending tsunami still threatens ...
July 10, 2007
Higher Education for Taxpayers
By JD Foster, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1547)
The reauthorization of the federal higher education programs should be used as an opportunity to reprioritize and, where possible, reduce federal spending—not as an excuse ...
July 9, 2007
SCHIP Reauthorization: Congress Should Beware of Creating a New Entitlement
By Nicola Moore and JD Foster, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1540)
Congress ought to focus on addressing the entitlement spending problem it has already created. Expanding yet another federal healthcare program would be reckless, risky, and ...
July 9, 2007
Earmark Appropriations: Pork - Or Mystery Meat?
By Ernest Istook
(WebMemo #1541)
House Republicans pushed successfully to reform the rules regarding earmarks, but the battle over Congress's pork spending is still just beginning.
June 27, 2007
Federal Farm Subsidy Programs: How to Discourage Congressional Conflicts of Interest
By Ronald D. Utt, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2045)
Members of Congress who receive federal farm subsidies should (1) declare them in annual financial disclosures and recuse themselves from voting on legislation that would ...
June 27, 2007
House Transparency Rules Reveal that Pork Projects Tilt Heavily Toward Appropriators
By Brian M. Riedl
(WebMemo #1530)
Although lawmakers claim to fund projects based purely on merit, the two latest spending bills suggest that committee assignments play a large role in the ...
June 20, 2007
How Farm Subsidies Harm Taxpayers, Consumers, and Farmers, Too
By Brian M. Riedl
(Backgrounder #2043)
This year's farm bill debate will test whether Congress is serious about reform or will continue business as usual by pandering to special interests. Congress ...
June 20, 2007
Executive Summary: How Farm Subsidies Harm Taxpayers, Consumers, and Farmers, Too
By Brian M. Riedl
(Executive Summary #2043)
How Farm Subsidies Harm Taxpayers, Consumers, and Farmers, Too
June 20, 2007
Pork-Barrel Spending: Republicans Win Transparency, but $23 Billion Slush Fund Remains
By Brian M. Riedl
(WebMemo #1517)
After an important victory for budget transparency, House Members must now eliminate pork projects and the slush fund created to fund them.
June 13, 2007
The House Democrats' $23 Billion Pork Slush Fund and Spending Spree
By Brian M. Riedl
(WebMemo #1503)
The House Democratic majority should honor its pledge to bring transparency to budgeting by releasing the names of and allocations for pork projects while appropriations ...
June 12, 2007
Reject Pork in Homeland Security Appropriations
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D., Garrett Murch, and Diem Nguyen
(WebMemo #1502)
Earmarking homeland security funding would prevent the DHS from establishing the most effective national security system possible.
June 6, 2007
Amnesty Will Cost U.S. Taxpayers at Least $2.6 Trillion
By Robert Rector
(WebMemo #1490)
The illegal immigrants granted amnesty under S. 1348 are likely to impose a net cost of at least $2.6 trillion on U.S. taxpayers during their ...
May 17, 2007
Budget Resolution Calls for Massive Tax Hikes and Spending Increases
By Brian M. Riedl
(WebMemo #1460)
Lawmakers should go back to the drawing board and write a budget that meets the President's spending targets, deals realistically with coming entitlement costs, and ...
May 15, 2007
The Water Resources Development Act of 2007: A Pork Fest for Wealthy Beach-Front Property Owners
By Ronald D. Utt, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1458)
Congress appears intent on diverting taxpayer dollars from the most important responsibilities of the Army Corps of Engineers to finance water-sports and other low-priority schemes. ...
May 10, 2007
Lawmakers Should Reject Another Irresponsible Supplemental Farm Bailout
By Brian M. Riedl
(WebMemo #1452)
Rather than pile on more corporate welfare in "emergency" agricultural spending, Congress should follow President Bush's lead and reject this unnecessary, irresponsible proposal.
May 2, 2007
Post-Veto War Supplemental Must Eliminate Pork and Support Troops
By The Honorable Ernest Istook, Nicola Moore, Baker Spring, and Alison Acosta Fraser
(WebMemo #1440)
President George W. Bush was right to veto the war supplemental funding bill. In his second veto since taking office, the President rejected a bill ...
April 24, 2007
The Social Security and Medicare Trustees Report Again—And Again Problems Have Worsened
By JD Foster, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1430)
The financial condition of Medicare and Social Security is terrible and got significantly worse with another year of legislative inactivity.
April 12, 2007
President Must Veto Unconstitutional, Irresponsible War Funding Legislation
By Edwin J. Feulner, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1422)
The President is right to threaten a veto of Congress's legislation. Anything that falls short of the standards of constitutionality and responsibility must face a ...
March 30, 2007
Ten Myths About the Defense Budget
By Baker Spring
(Backgrounder #2022)
Despite the ongoing war against Islamic terrorists and the need to meet enduring national security requirements, the defense budget is not large. By itself, it ...
March 28, 2007
A Responsible FY 2008 Budget: House Republican Substitute Focuses on Spending and Economic Growth
By Andrew M. Grossman
(WebMemo #1412)
Unlike the House Democrats' budget resolution, the Republican budget substitute embodies a vision of fiscal restraint and economic growth.
March 27, 2007
House and Senate Defense Budgets Imply the Need for Future Supplemental Funding
By Baker Spring
(WebMemo #1411)
Congress needs to support plans to fill the gaps in the defense budget between FY 2009 and FY 2012 and pave the way to sustain ...
March 22, 2007
The Senate Budget: A $2,641 Per Household Tax Increase and No Entitlement Reforms
By Brian M. Riedl
(WebMemo #1405)
The Senate budget relies on massive tax increases while ignoring the coming tsunami in Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid spending.
March 15, 2007
The Congressional Earmark Moratorium: Will It Last the Year?
By Ronald D. Utt, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2016)
Courage and leadership matter most in establishing a pattern of fiscal responsibility in Washington. The leadership on both sides of the aisle needs to ensure ...
March 15, 2007
Congress Hijacks Troop Funding for Pork
By Brian M. Riedl
(WebMemo #1397)
As federal spending nears $24,000 per household, the House of Representatives took the President’s vital national security supplemental bill and larded it up with $21 ...
March 14, 2007
The Republican Study Committee’s Taxpayer Bill of Rights: Making Federal Budget Accountability a Reality
By Nicola Moore and Alison Acosta Fraser
(WebMemo #1394)
If it is serious about fiscal responsibility, Congress would do well to give the RSC's recommendations honest consideration.
March 8, 2007
Federal Spending 2007: By the Numbers
By Brian M. Riedl
(WebMemo #1390)
Twelve pages of tables, charts, graphs, and bullet-point explanations of recent trends in federal spending.
March 8, 2007
The DHS Budget for FY 2008: Time for a Comprehensive Approach to Homeland Security
By Mackenzie M. Eaglen
(Backgrounder #2013)
Congress should follow a set of strategic principles to create a comprehensive approach to homeland security spending instead of funding piecemeal programs. It should also ...
March 5, 2007
Defense FY 2008 Budget Analysis: Four Percent for Freedom
By Baker Spring
(Backgrounder #2012)
Maintaining a healthy defense posture requires sustained funding for national defense at no less than 4 percent of GDP. Unless Congress continues to separate funding ...
March 1, 2007
Congress Should Not Lard Up the War Supplemental Bill
By Brian M. Riedl, Baker Spring, and Alison Acosta Fraser
(WebMemo #1376)
President Bush should draw a clear line in the sand and vow to veto any supplemental bill that would spend more than his requested total. ...
February 20, 2007
The Urgent Need to Reform the FAA's Air Traffic Control System
By Robert W. Poole, Jr
(Backgrounder #2007)
Congress can open the door to the Next Generation Air Transportation System by reforming the Air Traffic Organization. By adopting what has become the global ...
February 20, 2007
Executive Summary: The Urgent Need to Reform the FAA's Air Traffic Control System
By Robert W. Poole, Jr.
(Executive Summary #2007)
Congress can open the door to the Next Generation Air Transportation System by reforming the Air Traffic Organization. By adopting what has become the global ...
February 8, 2007
Bush's Budget: Protecting Homeland Security and Defense by Reining in Entitlements
By Baker Spring, James Jay Carafano, Ph.D., Alison Acosta Fraser, Brian M. Riedl, and Will Packer
(WebMemo #1352)
The most important feature of the President’s budget proposal is its focus on reining in the crushing costs of entitlement programs like Medicare while adequately ...
February 6, 2007
The President's Medicare Budget Proposal: A Step Forward on Entitlement Spending
By Robert E. Moffit
(WebMemo #1344)
In his FY 2008 budget, the President has proposed a set of serious Medicare proposals that will begin to address the enormous fiscal challenge of ...
February 5, 2007
Farm Subsidies, Free Trade, and the Doha Round
By Daniella Markheim and Brian M. Riedl
(WebMemo #1337)
The United States must make a meaningful offer to cut agricultural protection if Doha is to progress.
February 5, 2007
Bush Budget Reins in Entitlement Costs
By Brian M. Riedl
(WebMemo #1341)
The key feature of President Bush’s fiscal year 2008 budget request is not its strategy to reach a balanced budget in five years but its ...
February 5, 2007
An Adequate Defense Budget That Must Be Sustained into the Future
By Baker Spring
(WebMemo #1342)
The U.S. government will need to devote no less than 4 percent of GDP to defense on a sustained basis to meet the nation’s defense ...
January 31, 2007
Solutions to Our Long-Term Fiscal Challenges
By Stuart M. Butler, Ph.D.
(Testimony )
As Comptroller General David Walker has pointed out, entitlement-driven unfunded growth in spending will impose staggering financial burdens on our children and grandchildren. It may ...
January 24, 2007
New CBO Budget Baseline Shows Entitlement Spending Imperiling Deficit Reduction Goals
By Brian M. Riedl
(WebMemo #1329)
Reforming Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid is the only way to get the budget under control.
January 23, 2007
State of the Union 2007: Fiscal Policy Challenges for Today and Tomorrow
By Alison Acosta Fraser
(WebMemo #1325)
The President's call to fix the big entitlement programs demands urgent action.
January 16, 2007
Halving Student Loan Interest Rates Is Unaffordable and Ineffective
By Brian M. Riedl
(WebMemo #1308)
Reducing interest rates on student loans does not increase college access for prospective students, but merely subsidizes loan repayments after college.
January 16, 2007
Congress Should Reject New Taxes and Curb Exploding Entitlements
By Stuart M. Butler, Ph.D., and Alison Acosta Fraser
(WebMemo #1313)
Any tax increase would be a real and unacceptable threat to America’s prosperity.
January 16, 2007
Fiscal conservatism after the 2006 elections
By Larry Kudlow
(WebMemo #1310)
The following is Larry Kudlow's November 13 address to members of The Heritage Foundation's President's Club at the fall 2006 President’s Club meeting, held at ...
January 9, 2007
The Budget and Entitlements: Time to Take Action
By Stuart M. Butler, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1303)
If America does nothing, entitlements will crowd out other federal spending and push taxes to unprecedented heights.
January 5, 2007
Bush's Call For Fiscal Restraint: Entitlement Control is the Key
By Stuart Butler, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1298)
While the goal of balancing the budget in five years has a popular ring to it, the real threat to the economy and families is ...
January 3, 2007
Memo to the New Congressional Leadership: How to Improve Proposals for Congressional Earmark and Lobbying Reform
By Ronald D. Utt, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1296)
Any serious earmark reform must require extensive reporting and transparency so as to expose the link between earmarks and campaign contributions. Anything less would not ...
December 19, 2006
Memo to Speaker Pelosi: How to Make PAYGO Discipline the Federal Budget
By Alison Acosta Fraser and Brian M. Riedl
(WebMemo #1289)
A weak PAYGO will show that the incoming Congress is not serious about getting the budget under control.
December 14, 2006
Will New Congress Be Santa to Taxpayers and Grinch to Lobbyists?
By Ronald D. Utt, Ph.D., and Brian M. Riedl
(WebMemo #1287)
Congress cuts out earmarks, marking a big victory for citizen-activists and fiscal restraint.
December 6, 2006
A Taxpayer Victory Against Wasteful Agricultural Subsidies
By Brian M. Riedl and Andrew M. Grossman
(WebMemo #1279)
The Senate votes down an $800 million increase in "emergency" agricultural subsidies.
December 4, 2006
Five Reasons for the Senate to Reject Boosting Farm Subsidies
By Brian Riedl
(WebMemo #1274)
Lawmakers should resist emergency agriculture spending and instead prepare to overhaul farm subsidies next year.
December 1, 2006
The 2006 Index of Dependency
By William W. Beach
(Center for Data Analysis Report #06-11)
The 1980s and 1990s generally witnessed much slower growth in the Index. If the 1989–1993 period had reflected the policies of 1981–1988 and 1994–2001 periods, ...
November 15, 2006
Congress Returns to Spending Bills Loaded With Pork
By Brian M. Riedl and Michelle Muccio
(WebMemo #1256)
Congress loads next year's spending bills with 10,000 pork projects despite voters' demand for restraint. Features a list of the worst pork projects of FY ...
November 8, 2006
How Minority Leader Pelosi Can Use the Lame Duck Session to Restore Integrity to the Federal Budget Process
By Ronald D. Utt, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1249)
Reject earmarks to demonstrate a firm commitment to integrity in budgeting.
October 31, 2006
A Better Measure of Long-Term Spending: FASAB Proposes Changes in Accounting for Social Security, Medicare
By Alison Acosta Fraser
(WebMemo #1242)
Social Security and Medicare are a growing threat to the federal budget, and providing better information about their liabilities will help the public and policymakers ...
October 25, 2006
Fiscal Policy Lessons from Europe
By Daniel J. Mitchell, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #1979)
Living standards are much higher in America than in Europe, unemployment is far lower, and growth is much stronger; left unchecked, however, the growing burden ...
October 25, 2006
Executive Summary: Fiscal Policy Lessons from Europe
By Daniel J. Mitchell, Ph.D.
(Executive Summary #1979)
Living standards are much higher in America than in Europe, unemployment is far lower, and growth is much stronger; left unchecked, however, the growing burden ...
October 13, 2006
The 2006 Budget Numbers Show Impact of Pro-Growth Tax Policy, But Also Continued Spending Increases
By Daniel J. Mitchell
(WebMemo #1237)
The FY2006 budget numbers demonstrate the benefits of maintaining pro-growth tax policies, but also the need to reduce spending and reform entitlement programs.
October 2, 2006
The Army Needs Adequate Funding
By Baker Spring
(WebMemo #1228)
Ongoing operational expenses inadequately covered by Congress’s supplemental appropriations may leave the Army in the hole, risking America’s security.
September 28, 2006
Tax Rate Reductions Strengthen the Economy, But Excessive Government Spending Threatens Long-Run Performance
By Daniel J. Mitchell, Ph.D., and Michelle L. Muccio
(Backgrounder #1975)
To enhance economic performance, Congress should make the pro-growth portions of the Bush tax cuts permanent, implement reforms to shift the Internal Revenue Code closer ...
September 25, 2006
Still Spending: Senate Set to Bust Budget Caps by $32 Billion
By Brian M. Riedl
(WebMemo #1222)
Budget gimmickry leads to higher spending and a big bill for taxpayers.
September 13, 2006
Congress Considers Costly Bailouts for Amtrak, Metro
By Ronald D. Utt, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1211)
The President should threaten to veto costly and irresponsible bailouts of Amtrak and Washington's Metro system.
September 5, 2006
Will the Senate Raid the Treasury for Amtrak?
By Ronald D. Utt, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #1956)
Because Amtrak’s most recent annual report reveals that financial and operational problems continue to worsen, the railroad’s new board and management should begin to eliminate ...
July 20, 2006
How to Improve the Government Waste Commission Proposals
By Brian M. Riedl and Michelle Muccio
(WebMemo #1170)
With federal spending expanding 9 percent in 2006 alone, lawmakers are finally taking up the government waste commission bills (H.R. 5766 and H.R. 3282) authored ...
July 19, 2006
Improving the Performance of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
By Ronald D. Utt, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1167)
The extensive flooding of New Orleans caused by several breaks in the levee system during Hurricane Katrina led to an extensive debate about the performance ...
July 17, 2006
H.R. 3496: The Biggest Pork Barrel Earmark in History?
By Ronald D. Utt, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1163)
Representative Tom Davis (R-VA) is requesting the House of Representatives to consider an amendment (H.R. 3496, as revised) to the Deep Water Energy Resources Act ...
July 14, 2006
The Wolf SAFE Commission Act: A Chance to Get the Budget Back on Track
By Stuart M. Butler, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1162)
A proposal to break spending paralysis in Washington.
July 11, 2006
Observations on Budget Estimates from the Mid-Session Review
By Brian M. Riedl
(WebMemo #1149)
The Office of Management and Budget has released its annual Mid-Session Review (MSR) that updates the budget projections from this past February. While the rapid ...
July 10, 2006
Four Elements of a Successful Government Waste Commission
By Michelle Muccio and Brian M. Riedl
(WebMemo #1147)
Congress will soon consider legislation to establish a commission that could bring an end to wasteful and counter-productive government programs.
June 30, 2006
Congress Must Not Shortchange the Military at a Time of War
By Baker Spring and Brian M. Riedl
(WebMemo #1141)
On June 20th, the House of Representatives passed its fiscal year 2007 Defense Appropriations bill. Given that the nation is at war and is conducting ...
June 27, 2006
Third-Quarter Report Card for Congress: Improvement Needed
By Brian M. Riedl, Ronald D. Utt. Ph.D., and Alison Acosta Fraser
(Backgrounder #1947)
There is no reason why Members of Congress cannot raise their performance measures on key domestic policy issues, many of which have already made some ...
June 22, 2006
Federal Budget Should Include Long-Term Obligations from Entitlement Programs
By Alison Acosta Fraser
(Executive Memorandum #1004)
The financial reporting principles used by the private sector and state and by local governments should be applied to the federal budget to give policymakers ...
June 20, 2006
House Appropriators' PART Prohibition Perpetuates Wasteful Spending
By Michelle Muccio and Alison Acosta Fraser
(WebMemo #1137)
PART is a modest effort to provide lawmakers with the knowledge to make informed and efficient budgetary decisions, and it is the only program that ...
June 19, 2006
The Stop Over-Spending Act: A Real Opportunity to Limit Spending
By Brian M. Riedl
(WebMemo #1132)
The Stop Over-Spending (S.O.S.) Act, authored by Senate Budget Committee Chairman Judd Gregg (R-NH) and cosponsored by over a dozen senators, provides a strong blueprint ...
June 15, 2006
10 Elements of Comprehensive Budget Process Reform
By Brian M. Riedl
(Backgrounder #1943)
The most effective reforms of the budget process would impose government-wide spending caps, account for long-term unfunded liabilities, and better enforce existing budget constraints.
June 13, 2006
Supplemental Success: Conference Report Meets President's Challenge
By Brian M. Riedl and Alison Acosta Fraser
(WebMemo #1121)
Against all odds, the conference committee report for the Iraq and Katrina supplemental meets President Bush's challenge to maintain fiscal discipline.
June 13, 2006
Comprehensive Budget Reform: The Need Has Never Been Greater
By The Honorable Paul Ryan
(Heritage Lecture #945)
Budget process reform, including a legislative line-item veto, earmark reform, strong spending caps, and a sunset commission for federal programs, is essential in controlling the ...
June 5, 2006
A Costly Delay: Air Traffic Controllers' Expensive New Strategy
By Ronald D. Utt, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1113)
On Wednesday, the House of Representatives will vote on fiscal responsibility and the integrity of the existing federal statutes that bind and guide them. At ...
May 31, 2006
Three Lessons from the Recent Budget Reconciliation Debate
By Brian M. Riedl
(Executive Memorandum #1002)
Congress should reform baseline budgeting; make permanent the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts (and other temporary tax cuts insofar as they promote economic growth without ...
May 30, 2006
Past Trends and Future Troubles in Federal Spending: A Look at the Federal Budget Chart Book
By Rea S. Hederman, Jr., Alison Acosta Fraser, and Michelle Muccio
(WebMemo #1098)
Rapid economic fluctuations have been the norm for the United States over the past 40 years. The U.S. economy has sustained both unprecedented expansionary highs ...
May 16, 2006
Winning the Fight to Curb Excessive FAA Salary Costs
By Ronald D. Utt, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1078)
In September 2005, the existing contract between the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the air traffic controllers expired and discussions over its replacement began in ...
May 5, 2006
Spending Lines Firmly Drawn for a Showdown at the Veto Corral
By Alison Acosta Fraser
(WebMemo #1061)
The supplemental bill appears headed for a showdown with the veto pen
May 5, 2006
Holding Troops Hostage to Pork Barrel Spending Is No Way for Congress to Fight the War on Terror
By Baker Spring
(WebMemo #1062)
Unreasonable spending demands threaten funding for the troops.
May 4, 2006
Desperate Attempt to Save Railroad to Nowhere
By Brian Riedl and Ron Utt
(WebMemo #1059)
New justifications of the "Railroad to Nowhere" fall short.
May 3, 2006
Springtime for Amtrak and America
By Ronald D. Utt, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #1932)
Because Amtrak's most recent annual report reveals that financial and operational problems continue to worsen, the railroad's new board and management should begin to eliminate ...
May 1, 2006
Medicare and Social Security: Big Entitlement Costs on the Horizon
By David C. John and Robert E. Moffit, Ph.D.
