Even though most of us have a general sense the Congress continues wasteful spending at the expense of more important National needs, it's hard to get a handle on exactly what is spent where and what the trade offs are.  The National Priorities Project has been tackling this problem for a while but the new data base design makes it easy for anyone, even we cyber-challenged types, to find spending information to help add the numbers to an idea of what seems to be happening.  If you're a fan of facts for articles or comments it's an amazing tool to have so bookmark and use it!

About Federal Priorities Database 2.0

National Priorities Project is excited to launch the beta version of a new search tool for our Federal Priorities Database.

For 27 years, we've made federal budget information transparent and accessible, building peoples' capacity to understand and respond to the local impact of federal spending and revenue decisions.

This total transformation of our current search tool extends that mission by making it easier than ever to find, download, and share information from the only database in the nation that joins federal expenditures with social indicators.

We invite you to explore the site and respond by filling out a short survey.

NPP is most grateful to the Nathan Cummings Foundation, Rockefeller Brothers Fund and Sunlight Foundation and Sunlight Labs for their essential support. Our thanks also to the project team at Forum One.

I look forward to this database increasing our individual capacity to understand and engage in the federal budget debate – of course with the goal of greater government transparency and accountability.

With all best wishes,

Jo Comerford