Politics of the Federal Government Budget

The Sequester: When and Why

In March of 2013 action was taken in order to pressure policymakers in to a budget compromise and reduce spending deficits in the United States. Across the board spending cuts, known as sequestration, is meant only to catalyze compromise and not to act as a solution itself. The sequester is set to stay enacted until budget goals have been met, continuously cutting funding to federal agencies with each passing fiscal year.

Federal Budget Deficits: the Role of Mandatory and Discretionary Spending

It is known that over the last decade Federal budget deficits have been increasing. There are two parts of the Federal budget that need to be considered when assessing deficits and “solutions” that congress as implemented. The two parts of the budget are related to mandatory spending, seventy percent of the budget, and discretionary spending, thirty percent of the budget. Discretionary spending is noted to not require amending any major laws in order to cut the budget. Examples of discretionary spending areas vary between Head Start programs for youth education, and foreign aid to other countries during times of disaster or political unrest.

Major Problems of Debate: Mandatory and Discretionary Spending

It appears that one of the most striking problems resonating throughout Congress regarding their indecision is the lack of meaningful communication between parties. It has been illustrated through debates that relevant information is not presented, and active listening between different points for consideration is also not happening.

Mandatory spending plays host to heated debate. Mandatory spending programs include Social Security, farm subsidies, and food stamps or SNAP. These programs a...

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...nd the aforementioned SNAP benefits and crop insurances is that Social Security and Medicare are already paid for by the applicants, and those who receive benefits are “entitled” because they have paid for the benefits through previous payroll taxes.

As sequestration continues, the national debt looms over Congress, and job security teeters on the edge, Americans wait for the promised budget compromise. There is a bright side to the continuous sequestration: reduced spending may become a new norm. Yet, that is not a satisfying solution if asking the participants in the budget debate. Only time will determine if this course of action proves successful towards reducing national deficits in Federal spending.

References

Clemmitt, M. (2013, Jul 12). Government spending: will steep cuts hurt the economy? CQ Researcher, 23(25), 597 620.

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