You shouldn’t build a budget around revenue that might not stick. Our latest episode of Budget Watchdog AF explains why relying on tariff windfalls was a risky bet, and what Washington should focus on instead: taxpayer.net/budget-appropri…

FEMA is falling behind on disaster prevention. Communities requested $16 billion in funding through the BRIC program, but FEMA had only awarded $2.5 billion of the $4.8 billion available across its first four cycles as of March 2025. These delays can make projects more expensive for taxpayers. taxpayer.net/disaster/why-fe…

Our Quote of the Week for the week of October 19 comes from @KGeorgieva. Our Quote of the Week is released with our Weekly Wastebasket newsletter. Sign up to receive our Wastebasket here: taxpayer.net/wastebasket/

What's behind the latest inflation numbers? Gasoline is a big part of the story, but tariffs are adding costs of their own. Two new economic reports reveal how those costs reach consumers and why removing tariffs doesn't necessarily bring prices down. taxpayer.net/budget-appropri…

DEBTrimental: This week’s total federal debt clock:

Florida is seeking federal aid after Hurricane Isaias damaged nearly 1,000 homes. Even a state with extensive hurricane experience needs federal help. FEMA reform requires more than shifting costs to states. taxpayer.net/disaster/fema-r…

How did the deficit reach nearly $2 trillion in a year without a pandemic or recession? Our latest podcast episode breaks down decades of spending decisions, from emergency response to commitments Washington never offset. Listen: taxpayer.net/budget-appropri…

Prices go up like a rocket and come down like a feather. New research from the NY Fed helps explain why that's especially true for tariffs. Paired with the latest inflation report, it paints a troubling picture for consumers. Our analysis connects the dots. taxpayer.net/budget-appropri…

Congress never authorized the Iran War, but American taxpayers are still footing the bill. With billions already spent and costs continuing to grow, Congress must exercise its power of the purse to rein in this costly conflict. taxpayer.net/national-securi…

To date, the Administration cancelled 12 offshore wind leases that would have provided enough power 6.6 million households. The cancellation cost taxpayers $3.9 billion. Our Five Fast Facts break down what’s at stake in the federal offshore wind buyouts taxpayer.net/energy-natural-…

Flood prevention saves taxpayers money. CBO estimates that every $1 billion spent on flood mitigation could save $1.4 billion to $1.8 billion in future federal disaster relief. Investing in prevention now can save taxpayers billions down the road. taxpayer.net/disaster/why-fe…

Commerce Sec. Lutnick reportedly helped derail tariff talks with Canada. Now his opposition to tariff cuts is slowing a Mexico deal. Both countries already signed Trump’s signature trade agreement from his 1st term. What happened? taxpayer.net/budget-appropri…

Methane waste is a lose-lose-lose: it depletes American resources, drains revenue from federal and state budgets, and adds healthy and safety risks for nearby communities. EPA’s recent announcement to weaken these commonsense standards would only make matters worse. taxpayer.net/energy-natural-…

$3.1 billion. Every day. Just in interest. Interest on the national debt is now the second-largest expense in the federal budget. What does that mean for taxpayers? Find out on the latest Budget Watchdog All Federal: taxpayer.net/budget-appropri…

Today’s trade news has a twist. Automakers say tariffs on Mexico and cumbersome rebates are pushing some production to Asia. That’s an odd way to rebuild American manufacturing. We explain the bigger problem. taxpayer.net/budget-appropri…

Wildfires are burning hotter and more often than ever. The Senate passed the bipartisan Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act which would cut Clean Air Act red tape to make it easier to use prescribed fire. taxpayer.net/energy-natural-…

The Iran War has cost taxpayers $45.1 billion through Sept. 3. That's billions of dollars that could have gone towards disaster preparedness, infrastructure, or reducing the deficit. Instead, the cost of this war keeps growing. taxpayer.net/national-securi…

A U.S.-Mexico tariff deal was getting close. Then Commerce Sec. Lutnick opposed cuts to auto and metals tariffs, reportedly slowing talks. The “greatest trade deal ever” keeps running into the administration that negotiated it. Our take. taxpayer.net/budget-appropri…

EPA's interim final rule extending the deadline for companies to report their 2025 emissions under the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP) is part of a broader movement to weaken transparency & accountability by dismantling public access to data. taxpayer.net/energy-natural-…