Federal Debt:
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions: An Update
GAO-04-485SP: Published: Aug 12, 2004. Publicly Released: Aug 12, 2004.
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This report updates information in our 1999 publication, Federal Debt: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions--An Update (GAO/OCG-99-27, May 28, 1999). At the time of our last publication, the federal government was running budget surpluses, and debt held by the public was projected to drop to historically low levels. This report provides updated information to reflect the changes in the nation's fiscal condition and outlook. Our update addresses frequently asked questions about the federal debt, deficits, and surpluses. In this update, we present current information on how federal debt is defined and measured, the relationship between federal debt and the budget and the economy, federal debt management and ownership, and future policy issues regarding federal debt.
Mar 22, 2019
Data Act:
OMB Needs to Formalize Data Governance for Reporting Federal SpendingGAO-19-284: Published: Mar 22, 2019. Publicly Released: Mar 22, 2019.
Feb 27, 2019
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Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Request:
U.S. Government Accountability OfficeGAO-19-403T: Published: Feb 27, 2019. Publicly Released: Feb 27, 2019.
Dec 19, 2018
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Army Corps of Engineers:
Budget Requests Included Construction Projects Located in Over 30 States, Selected Using a Multi-level ProcessGAO-19-99: Published: Dec 19, 2018. Publicly Released: Dec 19, 2018.
Dec 13, 2018
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State and Local Governments' Fiscal Outlook:
2018 UpdateGAO-19-208SP: Published: Dec 13, 2018. Publicly Released: Dec 13, 2018.
Dec 11, 2018
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Federal Budget:
Government-Wide Inventory of Accounts with Spending Authority and Permanent Appropriations, Fiscal Years 1995 to 2015GAO-19-289T: Published: Dec 11, 2018. Publicly Released: Dec 11, 2018. -
Federal Budget:
Government-Wide Inventory of Accounts with Spending Authority and Permanent Appropriations, Fiscal Years 1995 to 2015GAO-19-36: Published: Nov 29, 2018. Publicly Released: Dec 11, 2018.
Jun 28, 2018
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U.S. Postal Service:
Projected Capital Spending and Processes for Addressing Uncertainties and RisksGAO-18-515: Published: Jun 28, 2018. Publicly Released: Jun 28, 2018.
Jun 21, 2018
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The Nation's Fiscal Health:
Action Is Needed to Address the Federal Government's Fiscal FutureGAO-18-299SP: Published: Jun 21, 2018. Publicly Released: Jun 21, 2018.
Apr 3, 2018
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Defense Budget:
Actions Needed to Improve the Management of Foreign Currency FundsGAO-18-221: Published: Apr 3, 2018. Publicly Released: Apr 3, 2018.
Feb 6, 2018
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Budget Issues:
Continuing Resolutions and Other Budget Uncertainties Present Management ChallengesGAO-18-368T: Published: Feb 6, 2018. Publicly Released: Feb 6, 2018.
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