President's Budget Proposal

Articles & Analysis

President Obama's Progressive Tax Initiatives

When President Obama rolled out his Fiscal Year 2011 budget in early February, many focused attention on the potential negative effects of the administration's proposed three-year freeze on non-security discretionary spending. Moreover, the possible effects of the president’s hawkish rhetoric toward the federal budget deficit dismayed those in the progressive community who are concerned with social equity. However, a detailed examination of the tax section of the president's budget reveals several progressive proposals designed to aid in the fight against poverty and bolster the middle class.

For Regulatory Agencies, Intrigue in an Otherwise Bleak Budget

President Barack Obama's proposed budgetary spending freeze would have varying impacts on the regulatory agencies responsible for protecting public health and welfare. Oversight of industry and solving new and neglected problems may dwindle as environmental and consumer safety regulators are forced to operate in a constrained fiscal environment.

An OMB Watch Statement on President Obama's Fiscal Year 2011 Budget Request

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2, 2010—President Obama has sent his budget request for fiscal year 2011 to Congress. Far from bringing change, it at best tinkers with federal priorities while perpetuating the wrong budget agenda.

Congress Inches Closer to Final War Supplemental Vote

Legislation appropriating over $100 billion for continued war funding (H.R. 2346) is moving closer to a final vote in Congress, despite significant delays and recent disagreements during conference committee negotiations. The main issues of contention include the release of detainee photos, a funding provision for the International Monetary Fund, and overall concerns related to the bloated cost of the bill. President Obama originally requested $90 billion for the legislation, but that figure has grown to $106 billion.

Obama's Agenda Faces Challenges in Congress

President Barack Obama proposed an ambitious agenda when he unveiled his budget outline at the end of February. In addition to significant funding increases for many key public investments including housing, education, and job training, the president also put on the table landmark legislation that would provide universal health care and begin addressing global climate change. There are, however, a number of obstacles that may hinder the implementation of the president's agenda. During the week of March 16, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) revised its deficit projection upward, and fiscally conservative senators and representatives noted their intent to hamper the president's efforts through parliamentary procedure. As Congress begins drafting its budget plans, it remains uncertain whether it will include all of the president's spending proposals.

President Obama to Release His Fiscal Year 2010 Budget

President Barack Obama is expected to release his Fiscal Year 2010 budget on Feb. 26. Details of the spending blueprint remain vague, but media reports indicate that the president's budget, unlike those of his predecessor, will hew closer to real-world situations. For example, Obama's budget will include spending on the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, physician reimbursements under Medicare, costs associated with natural disasters, and lost revenues from changes in the alternative minimum tax.

No Budget Resolution

Whether or not tax cuts must be offset - that is the question.

Bad Budget Rule Changes Could Still be Proposed

The Senate budget being debated this week includes only a two-year cap on appropriations, and continues Senate pay-go rules that apply to both entitlement increases and tax cuts. However, concern over other changes in budget rules remains.

CBO Account-level Data on Government Spending, 2005-2014

The 2005 Budget submitted by the president last week contained only partial information for spending over the next 5 years. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has since developed estimates of costs contained in the president's FY2005 budget covering the period from 2005 to 2014.

Proposed Changes Would Create Unbalanced, Flawed Budget Process

The president’s FY2005 budget contains several proposed changes to the congressional rules governing the process by which federal budget policy is legislated. These rules could have dramatic consequences for spending and tax policy over the next 5 years.

While, admittedly, changes in the budget process are not the most exciting of issues, the proposed process changes would likely cause large drops in domestic investments and a continuation of current tax policy and massive federal deficits. Download Full report (.pdf)