Tag Archives: debt

GAO Insights into the Nation’s Finances and the Role of the Debt Limit

Posted on May 3, 2017 by WatchBlog

Today, U.S. Comptroller General Gene Dodaro delivered testimony to Congress on our nation’s unsustainable long-term fiscal position. He said that the Congress and administration face serious economic, security, and social challenges that will require difficult policy choices in the short … Continue reading →

Image | Posted on May 3, 2017 by WatchBlog | Tagged budget, CG, Chris Mihm, debt, Debt limit, deficit, deficit reduction, entitlement spending, entitlements, federal budget, federal budgeting, federal deficit, finances, Gene Dodaro, government spending, Medicaid, medicare, revenue, SI, Social Security, Sue Irving

A Check-Up on the Government’s Fiscal Health

Posted on January 17, 2017 by WatchBlog

After 6 years of declining deficits, the federal deficit increased to $587 billion in 2016 and U.S. debt held by the public stood at about $14.2 trillion at the end of 2016. These figures are only expected to grow. The … Continue reading →

Image | Posted on January 17, 2017 by WatchBlog | Tagged budget, debt, deficit, entitlements, fiscal health, GDP, government spending, health care, interest, national debt, SI

Debt Limit 101

Posted on November 9, 2015 by WatchBlog

Congress has voted to suspend the debt limit through March 15, 2017. But how could future lawmakers address this issue in order to save the federal government money and avoid future disruptions? Today’s WatchBlog examines the debt limit. What is … Continue reading →

Image | Posted on November 9, 2015 by WatchBlog | Tagged debt, debt ceiling, Debt limit, Department of the Treasury, government spending, national debt, SI, Treasury | 1 Comment

GAO’s Strategic Issues Team

Posted on April 28, 2015 by gao_watchblog

GAO’s workforce is organized largely by subject area, with most employees working in 1 of 14 mission teams. Today, we’ll spotlight the Strategic Issues (SI) team, which focuses on helping Congress and federal agencies address the governance and management challenges … Continue reading →

Image | Posted on April 28, 2015 by gao_watchblog | Tagged budget, census, Chris Mihm, civil service, debt, decennial census, federal budget, federal human workforce, fiscal outlook, high risk, intergovernmental relations, sequestration, SI, tax administration, tax policy | 10 Comments

Projecting the Future of Federal Finances: Long-Term Fiscal Simulations

Posted on April 10, 2015 by gao_watchblog

Since 1992, we have prepared long-term fiscal simulations to show federal deficits and debt under different sets of policy assumptions. Our latest update shows that the federal government continues to face a long-term fiscal sustainability challenge.

Image | Posted on April 10, 2015 by gao_watchblog | Tagged debt, fiscal exposures, fiscal outlook, SI, Susan Irving | 1 Comment

Fiscal Exposures: 5 Sources of Risk that Drive Future Spending

Posted on February 26, 2015 by gao_watchblog

In tandem with today’s release of our audit of the federal government’s fiscal year 2014 consolidated financial statements, we want to highlight our work on fiscal exposures. This is a term that describes services or expenditures that Americans may expect, … Continue reading →

Image | Posted on February 26, 2015 by gao_watchblog | Tagged budget, cyber attack, debt, demographics, extreme weather, fiscal forecasting, fiscal outlook, medicare, natural disaster, risk, security, SI, Social Security, Susan Irving, unknowns | 2 Comments

Considering College Costs Beyond Tuition

Posted on September 5, 2014 by gao_watchblog

If you’re heading to college this fall, you may be focused on the major costs—tuition and fees, possibly room and board. We have examined some of the other costs of college, such as textbooks and college debit cards, that can … Continue reading →

Image | Posted on September 5, 2014 by gao_watchblog | Tagged college, college de, cost, debit card, debt, EWIS, fees, FMCI, higher ed, higher education, information, ISBN, textbooks, transparency, university | 1 Comment

The National Flood Insurance Program: a High-Risk Business

Posted on May 22, 2014 by gao_watchblog

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is a key component of the federal government’s efforts to limit the damage and financial impact of floods. However, it likely will not generate sufficient revenues to repay the billions of dollars borrowed from … Continue reading →

Image | Posted on May 22, 2014 by gao_watchblog | Tagged debt, Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, financial solvency, flood, flood insurance, FMCI, GAO, government accountability office, high risk, homeland security, Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Rita, loan, National Flood Insurance Program, NFIP, Treasury, Treasury Department, usgao

Navigating the Complexities of the Federal Budget

Posted on February 28, 2014 by gao_watchblog

The President and Congress use the federal budget process to help allocate federal funds among competing demands. The 2015 President’s Budget (which will be released on March 4th), is the President’s principal policy statement; the administration’s plan for funding the … Continue reading →

Image | Posted on February 28, 2014 by gao_watchblog | Tagged balance, budget, budget terminology, budgetary, carryover balances, collections, Congress, costs, debt, federal debt, fiscal outlook, glossary, government accountability office, long-term, long-term debt, OMB, President, president budget, president's budget, process, resources, user fees, usgao | 2 Comments