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Should you worry about the national debt?

Feb 16, 2018
We have short-term focus but a long-term problem.
Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney testifies before the Senate Budget Committee Tuesday on the 2019 budget proposal released the day before.
Win McNamee/Getty Images

Hey, what’s going on in the economy?

Feb 9, 2018
Five days of volatile markets, a five-hour government shutdown and one budget bill later ...
Traders and financial professionals work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange at the closing bell on Feb. 2.
Drew Angerer/Getty Images

U.S. government shuts down for the second time in 2018

Feb 8, 2018
The shutdown came after Kentucky Senator Rand Paul blocked a vote on the budget plan.
SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images

Born in the year of tax reform

Dec 22, 2017
Two 31-year-olds discuss the changes to a tax code that hasn't seen major reform since they were born.
Traffic streaks past the U.S. Capitol on December 20, 2017 in Washington, DC. 
Mark Wilson/Getty Images

For its tax plan to succeed, the GOP may need a better pitch to the middle class

Nov 8, 2017
Elections, it’s been said, have consequences, and last night’s local contests were no exception. The Republican losses come at an awkward time in the politics of the American economy — specifically, the tax overhaul plan the GOP’s trying to get through Congress. And even more specifically, in light of the results last night, making the […]

What's the difference between the national debt and the deficit?

Jun 22, 2017
Both are hugely important to President Trump and congressional Republicans' priorities, but they need a lot of context.
Director of the Office of Management and Budget Mick Mulvaney testifies during a House Budget Committee hearing concerning the Trump administration's fiscal year 2018 budget, on Capitol Hill, May 24, 2017 in Washington, DC.
Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Yeah, it’s all about your parents’ retirement

Mar 30, 2017
We got some grim news from the Congressional Budget Office today. The CBO predicted that the budget deficit and government debt will more than triple during the next 30 years unless Congress and the White House change the laws on how much the country spends and takes in. A big part of the problem? The […]

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CBO predicts deficits about to get a lot worse

Jan 25, 2016
The Congressional Budget Office says this is the first such increase since 2009.

What's the status of the budget deficit?

Sep 11, 2013
More information comes this week.

The incredible shrinking budget deficit

May 15, 2013
The Congressional Budget Office reports that this year's federal budget will be the smallest in years -- but don't uncork the champagne yet.
A congressional aid looks over the fiscal year 2014 budget proposal documents.
T.J. Kirkpatrick/Getty Images