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Planet Money
Dissecting Federal Spending With An Eye On Cuts
July 17, 2012 Big automatic budget cuts slated for January 1 has spurred talk of spending cuts and other budget fixes. We revisit where federal spending actually goes.
It's All Politics
Dire Predictions Amid Another Looming Fiscal Battle
May 29, 2012 The Bush-era tax cuts expire at the end of the year, along with the payroll tax break; the nation's borrowing authority bumps against its limit; and huge mandatory spending cuts — half targeting defense — are set to kick in. All this could trigger another recession, but Congress is unlikely to do much about it until after November's election.
The Two-Way
Obama: GOP Budget 'Makes Contract With America Look Like The New Deal'
April 3, 2012 The president today is renewing his push against "trickle-down economics," which he says has failed the nation.
The Two-Way
President's 2013 Budget Includes Slight Boost For Arts, Cultural Agencies
February 15, 2012 Several arts and cultural institutions saw their allotment rise by about 5 percent in President Obama's proposed 2013 budget. The proposed spending of $1.576 billion — in a budget of $3.8 trillion — includes good news for the Smithsonian Institution and the National Endowments for the Arts.
The Two-Way
House Approves Bill To Raise Federal Debt Limit
August 1, 2011 The House of Representatives has approved legislation to raise the federal debt ceiling and prevent a U.S. default, as the nation nears the end of a bitter standoff. The Senate votes on the measure Tuesday.
The Two-Way
Progress Still 'Elusive' On Deficit-Reduction Deal
July 21, 2011 With the clock ticking, negotiations continue. But reviews are mixed on the "Gang of Six" plan that many have been hoping would break the deadlock.
The Two-Way
Obama Lauds 'Gang Of Six' Budget Plan
July 19, 2011 It is "broadly consistent with the approach that I've urged," the president tells reporters. The bipartisan plan includes spending cuts and increases in tax revenues.
The Two-Way
Think You're A 'Budget Hero?' There's A Game For That
July 19, 2011 As talks continue in Washington about how to cut the budget, reduce expected federal deficits and start shrinking the federal debt, American Public Media's Marketplace offers Budget Hero — an interactive game.
The Two-Way
Obama To Hold News Conference Friday
July 14, 2011 The president is scheduled to take questions at 11 a.m. ET. The main topic: The ongoing deficit-reduction talks. It will be the president's second back-and-forth with reporters this week.
The Two-Way
Amid Lots Of Talk About A 'Blow Up,' Budget Talks Will Resume
July 14, 2011 While there's some disagreement over exactly what happened, those who were there say that President Obama did leave Wednesday's discussions after a pointed exchange with House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA). But leaders meet again later today.
