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Building a better budget isn't hard. It's about priorities. This game lets you pick options based on three proposals – the Republican House budget, the current budget and the House Progressive Caucus budget. Click the tip icons for more info and other ideas. As you play, you may think of a better idea - suggest it at the end and we'll deliver it to Congress this fall.
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* All budgets contain $180.4 Billion in spending to keep the government operating & pay interest on the national debt. Any extra money you do not spend will be used to reduce annual borrowing.

1. Revenue

2. Social Security, Medicare &
Medicaid

3. Military

4. Education

5. Health

6. Science, Energy,
Environment & Agriculture

7. Income Security

8. Law Enforcement

9. International Affairs

10. Investment in Local Jobs &
Communities

11. Your idea for a better budget

Were these budget options bold enough? Would you like to see even higher taxes on the wealthy and corporations, or deeper military cuts? We welcome your ideas - add them right here:
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1.   Revenue
 2.   
3.   Military 4.   Education 5.   Health 6.   Science, Energy, Environment &
Agriculture 7.   Income Security 8.   Law Enforcement 9.   International Affairs 10. Investment in Local Jobs &
Communities
11. Your idea for a better budget
 Submit your budget



Revenue

Includes all taxes collected from individuals and corporations. Changes made here will have an impact on the total amount you have to spend on all the other categories on the right. Learn more »

There are a broad range of valid revenue proposals beyond those presented here, including taxing Wall Street transactions, closing additional corporate loopholes, adding a carbon tax, and changing the estate tax.

Social Security, Medicare & Medicaid

Includes much of the major “Entitlement” spending, including Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Does not include other health care proposals contained in the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). While not part of the discretionary budget that Congress appropriates each year, we’re including these programs in the game because most long-term budget plans, including all three we've presented options from here, make major changes to these programs. Learn more »

Military

Includes spending on all branches of the military, wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya, some parts of Homeland Security, and Veterans benefits. Learn more »

How do you feel about war funding? How large a military do you think the United States needs? Share your views on the last page.

Education

Includes all federal spending on schools, teachers and school-related programs like Head Start, free lunches and more. Learn more »

Health

Includes all spending on healthcare not covered by Medicare, Medicaid or Social Security Disability Insurance – including the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (PPACA, also known as “Obamacare"). Learn more »

There are a broad range of valid health care reform proposals beyond those presented here, including a single-payer "Medicare for All" system. And like single-payer, adoption of one of these options would have a significant long-term budgetary impact on both your "Health" and "Social Security, Medicare & Medicaid" categories. If you support another option, tell Congress why on the last page.

Science, Energy, Environment & Agriculture

Includes much of federal investment in green energy and clean-technology, the Environmental Protection Agency, other projects that protect the environment. Learn more »

Income Security

The safety net programs that help the poor and those hit by disasters (economic and otherwise). These include unemployment insurance, food stamps, nutrition programs for women, infants and children, and more. Learn more »

Law Enforcement

All federal support for local police, court officers, FBI and terrorism collaboration and much of Homeland Security. Learn more »

International Affairs

Includes funding for the U.N., USAID, famine relief, and the State Department. Learn more »

Investment in Local Jobs & Communities

Includes spending on Community Block Grants, worker training programs, local infrastructure and development projects. Learn more »
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