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In 2014, U.S. Budget Deficit Falls To Pre-Recession Level

Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images

The Two-Way

In 2014, U.S. Budget Deficit Falls To Pre-Recession Level

October 15, 2014 • As tax revenues increased and spending cuts took effect, the deficit dropped to 2.8 percent of GDP — in dollar terms, the lowest level since 2008.

Obama's $3.9 Trillion Budget Would Produce $564 Billion Deficit

Copies of President Obama's proposed budget for fiscal 2015, after they were delivered to the Senate Budget Committee on Tuesday. J. Scott Applewhite/AP hide caption

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J. Scott Applewhite/AP

The Two-Way

Obama's $3.9 Trillion Budget Would Produce $564 Billion Deficit

March 4, 2014 • The president's blueprint is not expected to have a much of an impact on Capitol Hill, where lawmakers already have a two-year deal on spending.

The Two-Way

House OKs Bill To End Air Traffic Controllers' Furloughs

April 26, 2013 • The Senate passed the legislation on Thursday. President Obama will sign it, the White House says. This means the FAA will be able to shift funds so that the number of air traffic controllers on duty no longer needs to be reduced in order to satisfy sequestration.

Ryan Says His Budget Would Balance In 10 Years

Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., when he was campaigning as the 2012 Republican vice presidential nominee. Michael Sears/MCT /Landov hide caption

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Michael Sears/MCT /Landov

The Two-Way

Ryan Says His Budget Would Balance In 10 Years

March 12, 2013 • While "opponents will shout austerity," the Republican lawmaker says his plan would still let federal spending grow. It just wouldn't grow as quickly as now projected, he says, and would come into balance if the economy continues to expand and boosts federal revenue.

Today's 3 'Should-Read' Stories About The Sequester

The U.S. Capitol, as seen from the nearby Russell Senate Office Building. Jonathan Ernst/Reuters /Landov hide caption

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Jonathan Ernst/Reuters /Landov

The Two-Way

Today's 3 'Should-Read' Stories About The Sequester

February 26, 2013 • As Friday's deadline approaches, we're pointing to stories that should help everyone get ready. Today's choices: "Sequester, never heard of it;" "when will the cuts be felt;" and "is Obama telling the truth?"

The Two-Way

Republicans Unveil $1 Trillion Spending Bill; Update: Possible Deal?

December 15, 2011 • The political wrangling continues in Washington as Republicans and Democrats try to get their priorities enacted even as several key deadlines fast approach.

One Thing's For Sure, Superfailure Guarantees 'Long Election-Year Debate'

At the White House Monday, President Obama expressed his disappointment in the supercommittee's failure. Evan Vucci/AP hide caption

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Evan Vucci/AP

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J. Scott Applewhite/AP

The Two-Way

'Murmurings' Of A Deal On Taxes And Deficit Reduction

November 16, 2011 • But with one week go to before the so-called supercommittee is supposed to announce a deficit-reduction plan, it's still far from certain that the lawmakers will reach that goal.

Steve Inskeep talks with Andrea Seabrook

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GOP Rep. Ryan On Obama's Plan: 'Why Would We Want To Do This Again?'

Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) at NPR headquarters in May. Erin Schwartz/NPR hide caption

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Erin Schwartz/NPR

The Two-Way

GOP Rep. Ryan On Obama's Plan: 'Why Would We Want To Do This Again?'

September 22, 2011 • The House Budget Committee chairman airs his doubts about President Obama's jobs plan.

GOP Rep. Ryan On Obama's Plan: 'Why Would We Want To Do This Again?'

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It's All Politics

Washington Post Graphic Shows Lawmaker Votes That Led To Deficits

July 26, 2011 • It would have been interesting to see who the 25 percent of lawmakers were who didn't vote for any of the policies the Post focused on. Even Rep. Ron Paul, the Texas Republican presidential candidate didn't make the cut; he voted for the Bush tax cuts.

The Two-Way

Two From The 'Gang Of Six' Say They Learned From Each Other

July 21, 2011 • With the president praising their plan, and with critics from both sides of the political aisle taking shots at it, the "Gang of Six" is this week at the center of the deficit-reduction talks in Washington.

Senators Warner and Chambliss

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David Welna on 'Morning Edition'

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May 11, 2011 • Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan, gave us one of American politics's killer lines: "Everyone is entitled to his own opinion but not his own facts." It's in that spirit that Bloomberg News reports that some of Speaker Boehner's big economic policy speech falls into "his own facts" category.

It's All Politics

Obama Gets Much Advice For Big Deficit Speech

April 13, 2011 • President Obama is getting conflicting advice on deficit-reduction, with conservatives telling him to focus on cutting entitlements while liberals advise him to raise taxes on upper income taxpayers. Indications are Obama will do both.

It's All Politics

Budget Cutters Got Creative To Reach Goal

April 12, 2011 • Now that details are out, it looks like there was considerable creative accounting used by congressional budget negotiators to get to their $38 billion total of cuts. For instance, they included $12 billion of cuts already in earlier spending pacts.

It's All Politics

Obama Waited For GOP To Reveal Deficit-Reduction Hand

April 11, 2011 • President Obama has been criticized for not leading with a major proposal to cut federal spending, letting Republicans go first. But now he is able to present his own proposal as a response to the most controversial aspects of the GOP plan, the cuts to entitlements and no tax increases for the rich.

February 24, 2011 • Senate Democrats are developing a package of budget cuts for the current 2011 fiscal year. It's an acknowledgement that the current political climate requires cuts and the need to have a counteroffer to the House GOP's deep package of cuts.

It's All Politics

Obama Misleads On Budget-National Debt Claim: PolitiFact

February 16, 2011 • Obama's claim that his budget wouldn't add to the national debt by mid-decade was ruled false by PolitiFact. The president relied on a really technical concept for support but it doesn't pass the common sense or smell test.