2009 Federal Revenue and Spending Book of Charts

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Defense Spending Remains Below Historical Levels Despite the War on Terror

Although the United States is currently spending a significant portion of GDP on the military, defense spending has actually declined significantly since the early 1960s.

Discretionary Spending as a Percentage of GDP

Discretionary Spending

Source: Congressional Budget Office; White House Office of Management and Budget.

Key Research:

Federal Spending

Defense Spending Remains Below Historical Levels Despite the War on Terror	Federal Spending Grew Nearly Seven Times Faster Than Median Income	Federal Spending Is Growing Faster Than Federal Revenue	Since 9/11, Federal Spending Increased Much Faster Than Inflation	Federal Spending Has Increased Steadily Regardless of Congressional Leadership
Federal Spending per Household Is Skyrocketing	FY 2009 Had the Second-Highest Number of Earmarks in History Despite Change in Congressional Leadership	Mandatory Spending Has Increased Five Times Faster Than Discretionary Spending	Mandatory Spending Will Increase by $7,538 per Household in 2009	Medicare and Medicaid Spending Will Rise with Increasing Health Care Costs
Obama's Budget Would Return Defense Spending to Pre-9/11 Levels	Total Government Spending More Than Doubled Since 1965