Budget deficit : NPR

Your Cheat Sheet To The Issues That Could Come Up In The Presidential Debate

Democrat Hillary Clinton, left, and Republican Donald Trump, right, will debate for the first time Monday night. AFP/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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AFP/AFP/Getty Images

Your Cheat Sheet To The Issues That Could Come Up In The Presidential Debate

September 24, 2016 • From jobs and taxes to health care and immigration, there are a host of issues that will come up Monday night. Here's what you should know to get smart quick.

Since 2012, The Economy Has Changed — And So Has The Conversation

The economy is stronger than during the 2012 presidential election, but stock owners in 2016 are doing much better than wage earners. Richard Drew/AP hide caption

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Richard Drew/AP

Since 2012, The Economy Has Changed — And So Has The Conversation

August 28, 2016 • Since the last presidential election, a growing economy has sent the unemployment rate plunging. That improvement has changed the political conversation, but it hasn't stopped worries about wages.

Kansas Will Cut Education Funding To Help Close Budget Gap

Gov. Sam Brownback delivers his State of the State address at the Kansas statehouse in Topeka last month. Brownback has announced cuts in education to plug the state's budget woes. Orlin Wagner/AP hide caption

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Orlin Wagner/AP

The Two-Way

Kansas Will Cut Education Funding To Help Close Budget Gap

February 6, 2015 • Republican Gov. Sam Brownback, whose aggressive tax-cutting measures helped trigger the financial crisis, said the schools' funding levels are unsustainable.

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

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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.

Budget Pruning Leaves Canadian Potted Plants Out To Dry

Plants for auction at GCSurplus, the Canadian Government's site for the sale of surplus goods. Plants from the House of Commons may soon join them. Courtesy of Public Works And Government Services Canada hide caption

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Courtesy of Public Works And Government Services Canada

The Two-Way

Budget Pruning Leaves Canadian Potted Plants Out To Dry

February 11, 2014 • There's no such thing as a free lunch, even for plants. With budgets tight and dedicated funds for plant maintenance drying up, the Canadian House of Commons is sending its greenery to auction.

The Two-Way

U.S. Budget Deficit Falls Under $1 Trillion; Lowest Since 2008

October 30, 2013 • The U.S. government ran a deficit of $680 billion in the financial year that ended last month — the first time since 2008 the annual shortfall has been under $1 trillion. But as the AP reports, "It's still the fifth-largest deficit of all time."

Why Hiking The Age For Medicare Eligibility Wouldn't Save Much

President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio talk with reporters at the White House after a meeting about the federal budget deficit and economy in Nov. 2012. Some Republicans have proposed raising the Medicare eligibility age to 67. Carolyn Kaster/AP hide caption

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Carolyn Kaster/AP

Shots - Health News

Why Hiking The Age For Medicare Eligibility Wouldn't Save Much

October 25, 2013 • The annual Medicare bill is expected to hit $1.1 trillion in 2023. As Medicare spending grows, contributing to the federal deficit, some policymakers have suggested that raising the age of eligibility to 67 could help the budget should be an option.

The Two-Way

Deficit Tops $1 Trillion For Fourth Year

October 12, 2012 • Though the gap between spending and revenues has narrowed, it has stayed above the $1 trillion mark.

It's All Politics

White House Details 2013 Cuts If Congress Doesn't Avert Fiscal Cliff

September 14, 2012 • Under orders from Congress, the administration detailed exactly how it would administer painful cuts to both defense and domestic programs that were ordered under last year's budget deal. But the Office of Management and Budget reiterates that the threat of cuts is meant to spur congressional action.

White House Details 2013 Cuts If Congress Doesn't Avert Fiscal Cliff

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Is Another Shutdown Looming In Washington?

The Capitol building. Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Is Another Shutdown Looming In Washington?

September 20, 2011 • A dispute over how much money to give the Federal Emergency Management Agency has Republicans and Democrats at odds again, with a Sept. 30 deadline looming.

Blog Of The Nation

Budget Deficit, Puppies And iPhones!

September 19, 2011 • Clicks vs. the creative. Does the desire to attract online traffic make a writer less creative? As search engine optimization becomes a bigger part of our lives, a weird sort of online peer pressure has emerged.

The Two-Way

Pelosi Names Three To Finalize Debt 'Super Committee'

August 11, 2011 • The 12 members of the Debt "Super Committee" are now official, as House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi named her three appointees Thursday. She chose Reps. James Clyburn of South Carolina, Xavier Becerra of California, and Chris Van Hollen of Maryland. The special panel must create a plan to shave $1.2 trillion off the federal deficit over the next decade.

The Two-Way

U.S. Budget Deficit Hit $1.1 Trillion In July

August 10, 2011 • The U.S. budget deficit currently stands at $1.1 trillion through July, says the Treasury Department. That makes 2011 the third consecutive year that the deficit has hit at least $1 trillion.

The Two-Way

'Debt Supercommittee' Nearly Complete, At 9 Members

August 10, 2011 • The new "Debt Super Committee" created by the recent deficit ceiling deal now has 9 of its 12 members, as House Speaker John Boehner says Rep. Jeb Hensarling of Texas will co-chair the new committee. He joins Democratic co-chair Sen. Patty Murray of Washington.

House Approves Bill To Raise Federal Debt Limit

The House voted Monday to extend the federal debt limit and enact spending cuts. Here, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi arrives for a meeting with House Democrats and Vice President Joe Biden at the Capitol. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images hide caption

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Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

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.