Understanding the Composition of U.S. Federal Spending

Every fiscal year, the U.S. Federal Government incurs significant spending, and understanding its breakdown is crucial for both policymakers and citizens alike. This article provides a detailed guide on how federal spending is allocated by various agencies, fiscal years, and spending programs.

Accessing U.S. Federal Spending Data

Ut is relatively easy to see the composition of U.S. Federal spending due to the availability of several user-friendly resources provided by the government. The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) offers detailed historical data on spending, receipts, outlays, surpluses, and deficits from 1789 through 2019, with projections up to 2019. These data can be accessed through the following link:

Historical Tables

Example of Historical Spending Data

The Historical Tables provide summaries and tables that break down spending by different categories. You can download these tables in PDF format via this link:

Page on whitehouse.gov

Key Resources for U.S. Federal Spending Information

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) also provides comprehensive data on federal spending, similar to the OMB. This information can be found at:

Budget

USASpending.gov: A Transparent Resource for the Public

One of the most user-friendly and transparent resources for federal spending is USASpending.gov. This site is mandated by the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 to provide the public with detailed information on how tax dollars are spent. Key features of the site include:

Interactive search functionality Word searches for easy data retrieval Details on spending by Federal agencies Information on contracts and companies receiving contracts Total dollars awarded to each company

To explore federal spending by agency, you can visit the Agency Profiles section. Here, you will find a breakdown of total dollars awarded for various defense contracts. For example:

Agency Summary

State-Specific Federal Spending

In addition to federal spending data by agency and fiscal year, the government offers an interactive map that allows you to see how much each state receives in federal funds annually. This resource is available at:

Home

Visualizing Federal Spending

To visualize the composition of the U.S. Federal Budget, you can refer to this pie-chart for a clear breakdown:

US Federal Budget Pie Chart

Utilizing these resources, you can gain a comprehensive understanding of how tax dollars are allocated by the U.S. Federal Government, providing valuable insights for both decision-makers and the general public.