Become a Budget Guru

The federal budget is the central policy document of the U.S. government. It determines how your tax dollars are spent and as a result outlines our priorities and values as country. Ask yourself: does the federal budget reflect your values? Let your members of Congress know how you want your tax dollars spent.

Do you like a government program that helps address poverty? Ask your members of Congress to fund the program in next year’s fiscal budget. Don’t want your tax dollars spent on another unnecessary weapon program? Ask your members to end the program by removing funding from next year’s federal budget.

Please use the resources below to find out when to take action, who you should contact about your issue, and how to decode the federal budget process and budget terms.

Guru Toolkit

The Federal Budget Process: An Interactive Performance in Three Acts

Where is the budget now? - An interactive budget calendar

Your focus list: which appropriations subcommittee works on my issue?

What does that word mean? -- Learn "budgetese"

Learn more about the president's budget proposal for FY2011. See an explanation of the numbers.