SPOTLIGHT: Fiscal Policy

Reuters/Peter Morgan - The National Debt Clock on a building near Times Square in New York

Taking Back our Fiscal Future

April 2008

Unsustainable deficits in the federal budget threaten the health and vigor of the American economy. When the next president and Congress take office in January 2009, they will face one crucial question that has been almost absent from the current election campaign: how to close the enormous gap between projected federal spending and revenues. Read More

Fiscal Policy, Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, Federal Budget

Book

Restoring Fiscal Sanity

March 01, 2007

Federal spending on health care continues to raise rapidly, a new Brookings Institution book, edited by Senior Fellow Alice Rivlin and AEI Scholar Joseph Antos, Restoring Fiscal Sanity 2007: The Health Spending Challenge, calls for a broad agenda of experimentation and reform to slow health care spending growth.
Read More

Research and Commentary

Beyond the Stimulus Package

Isabel V. Sawhill, February 05, 2008

Isabel Sawhill argues that the fiscal stimulus package is a good idea, but is merely a stopgap that will do little to change the fundamental problems. She says that Congress should not lose sight of how the economy got to where it is and what is needed to prevent such vulnerabilities in the future. Read More

Rising Health Care Spending

In the introduction to their volume Restoring Fiscal Sanity 2007: The Health Spending Challenge, editors Alice Rivlin and Joseph Antos examine federal spending on Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, and conclude that "Without a radical change in attitudes toward taxes and the role of government, current trends are clearly unsustainable."

Public Attitudes about the Budget Deficit

A new report from Public Agenda, "It's Time to Pay Our Bills," analyzes public thinking about the U.S. government's fiscal future. Public Agenda is a partner in the Facing Up to the Nation's Finances initiative, which also includes experts from the Brookings Institution, the Concord Coalition, The Heritage Foundation, and Viewpoint Learning.

About Us

The Budgeting for National Priorities project promotes greater fiscal responsibility by developing new ideas, educating the public and finding common ground among experts and policy-makers.

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Recent Research and Commentary

Fiscal Policy Restoring Fiscal Sanity 2007

Budget Deficit Taming the Deficit

Bill Frenzel, Charles Stenholm, Isabel V. Sawhill, William Hoagland, January 2007

Budget Deficit Reducing the Deficit Through Better Tax Policy

Diane Lim Rogers, January 2007

Fiscal Policy Budget Chaos: What, Me Worry?

Bill Frenzel, Ron Haskins, April 07, 2008

More Recent Research and Commentary »

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Research ProjectLatin America Initiative

The Latin America Initiative provides high-quality, in-depth, and independent research across a range of economic and political issues, and offers policy recommendations aimed at U.S. and Latin American policymakers. Read More

ProgramGovernance Studies

Governance Studies explores political institutions of the United States and other democracies to assess how they govern, how their practices compare, and how citizens and public servants can advance sound governance.

ExpertRon Haskins

A former White House and congressional advisor on welfare issues, Ron Haskins co-directs the Brookings Center on Children and Families. He is an expert on preschool, foster care and poverty.

ExpertIsabel V. Sawhill

A nationally known budget expert, Isabel Sawhill focuses on domestic poverty and federal fiscal policy. She is also co-director of the Center on Children and Families at Brookings.

ExpertThomas Mann

A noted congressional scholar, Tom Mann writes and speaks widely on issues related to campaigns, elections and the effectiveness of Congress.

Policy CenterEngelberg Center for Health Care Reform

The Engelberg Center for Health Care Reform provides practical solutions to achieve high-quality, innovative, affordable health care with particular emphasis on identifying opportunities on the national, state and local levels.

ExpertMartin S. Indyk

Ambassador to Israel and assistant secretary of state for near east affairs during the Clinton Administration, Martin Indyk directs the Saban Center for Middle East Policy. He currently focuses on the Clinton administration’s diplomacy and the Arab-Israeli conflict.

ExpertSuzanne Maloney

Suzanne Maloney studies Iran, the political economy of the Persian Gulf and Middle East energy policy. A former U.S. State Department policy advisor, she has also counseled private companies on Middle East issues.

ExpertAlice M. Rivlin

Alice Rivlin, the first director of the Congressional Budget Office, is an expert on urban issues as well as fiscal, monetary and social policy. She directs the Greater Washington Research project.

Policy CenterSaban Center for Middle East Policy

The Saban Center conducts original research and develops innovative programs to promote a better understanding of the policy choices facing American decisionmakers in the Middle East.

Policy CenterJohn L. Thornton China Center

The John L. Thornton China Center develops analysis and policy recommendations to help address key long-term challenges, both in terms of U.S.-China relations and China's internal development.

ExpertLael Brainard

Lael Brainard is vice president and director of Global Economy and Development. She focuses on competitiveness, trade, international economics, U.S. foreign assistance and global poverty.

ProgramMetropolitan Policy Program

Redefining the challenges facing metropolitan America and promoting innovative solutions to help communities grow in more inclusive, competitive and sustainable ways.

ProgramGlobal Economy and Development

Global Economy and Development advances research, dialogue, and innovative solutions to address the forces of globalization and the challenges of global poverty.

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