Tag

Federal Budget

All articles tagged with #federal budget

Partial shutdown looms as spending talks stall between House and Senate
politics25 days ago

Partial shutdown looms as spending talks stall between House and Senate

A partial U.S. government shutdown began after Democrats blocked a comprehensive spending bill that would fund many agencies but exclude Homeland Security, pushing the fate of most federal funding to a House vote on a revised package. The Senate approved a modified plan that would fund DHS only temporarily, while House leadership works to rally support, making the final outcome dependent on Speaker Johnson's ability to unite Republicans and Democrats next week. DHS would continue operating on current spending levels for a two-week extension to buy time for broader negotiations.

Trump admin launches data-driven audit of federal funding to Democratic-led states
politics1 month ago

Trump admin launches data-driven audit of federal funding to Democratic-led states

The Trump administration ordered a broad, data-driven review of federal funds going to 14 Democratic-led states (plus DC), requesting detailed spending data for 2025–2027 to identify waste and potential fraud rather than withholding funds. Led by OMB Director Russel Vought, the inquiry expands an ongoing effort sparked by Minnesota fraud allegations and aims to map spending across grants, loans, contracts, and other awards, including those to colleges, localities, and nonprofits. The move follows prior actions targeting sanctuary cities and comes as the administration tightens scrutiny of blue-state spending, with agencies given a near-term deadline to report the data.

politics1 month ago

House advances four FY2026 spending bills, with DHS vote split and ethanol talks

The House moved the four FY2026 spending bills (Defense; Labor-HHS-Education; Transportation-HUD) toward Senate passage and set up a separate vote for Homeland Security. Conservative leaders secured amendments to kill some earmarks and block enforcement of vehicle kill-switch tech, and a congressional working group on ethanol policy was created to appease farm-state Republicans ahead of the Jan. 30 funding deadline, while DHS funding remains politically contentious over immigration enforcement.

ATC Pay Raise Highlights FY26 Minibus as Ed Budget Stays Flat
government1 month ago

ATC Pay Raise Highlights FY26 Minibus as Ed Budget Stays Flat

Congressional appropriators released a four-bill FY2026 minibus covering Defense, Homeland Security, Labor, HHS, Education, Transportation and HUD, moving toward a full-year budget before Jan 30. Highlights include $1.58B for the FAA and a 3.8% pay raise for air traffic controllers (contingent on efficiency gains), a flat Education Department budget around $79B, maintained or increased HHS/SAMHSA funding, a $15B SSA admin budget, and targeted staffing cuts at Transportation and HUD framed by Republicans as 'right-sizing,' while small agencies stay funded.

House Advances Two-Bill Funding Pact to Avert Shutdown
politics1 month ago

House Advances Two-Bill Funding Pact to Avert Shutdown

The House approved a two-bill spending package funding the Treasury, State, IRS, and FTC with a 341-79 vote, moving lawmakers closer to preventing a Jan. 30 government shutdown. Conservatives pressed for amendments, but both failed as Speaker Mike Johnson navigates narrow margins. Additional appropriations remain for the 2026 fiscal year, with DHS funding and ICE policy a sticking point, and the Senate has yet to act on related bills.

Trump's $2,000 Tariff Dividend: Political Win or Economic Risk?
politics3 months ago

Trump's $2,000 Tariff Dividend: Political Win or Economic Risk?

President Trump proposed a $2,000 tariff dividend for Americans, funded by tariffs on imports, but budget experts and treasury officials doubt the plan's feasibility due to insufficient revenue and legal challenges. The tariffs have increased federal revenue but are unlikely to finance such dividends, and the plan faces significant legislative and legal hurdles.

Canada's Budget: Spending, Defense, and Economic Strategies Amid US Tensions
economy3 months ago

Canada's Budget: Spending, Defense, and Economic Strategies Amid US Tensions

Canada's new federal budget, introduced by Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne, features significant spending aimed at boosting competitiveness and infrastructure, alongside planned austerity measures including job cuts and ministry reductions. The budget emphasizes transforming Canada into a 'clean energy superpower,' increasing defense spending, and diversifying trade away from the US, while also marking a shift away from Trudeau-era policies such as immigration targets and environmental initiatives. It aims to address economic challenges posed by global shifts and US trade tensions through strategic investments and reforms.

US to Halt Food Aid Payments in November, Affecting 40 Million People
politics4 months ago

US to Halt Food Aid Payments in November, Affecting 40 Million People

The US government has announced that starting November 1, federal food aid through SNAP will cease due to the ongoing government shutdown, which is now the second-longest on record. The USDA states contingency funds cannot cover regular benefits, raising concerns for millions of Americans relying on food assistance amid political disagreements between Democrats and Republicans.