**Note** You can find the 2011 Federal Budget explained in plain English here.

The US Federal Budget for 2010 was released today, February 26,2009. This article focuses primarily on the discretionary spending. Of the

discretionary budget, roughly half of spending goes to the US Department of Defense with the remaining money divided among 22 other departments. As one of a very small number of Americans who have read through the 140 page docket outlining the plan, I have analyzed and detailed it below. Overall, Departments like Agriculture show great detail while other departments like that of State use broad language and provide few clues into what programs will actually receive the billions. Unsurprisingly the National Intelligence Agency has no details about either total budget nor allocation. The mandatory spending, which totals an additional $2.184 trillion, allocates $695 billion to social security, $453 billion to Medicare, $290 billion to Medicaid, $11 billion in a potential disaster relief fund, $164 billion to pay off interest on the national debt and the remaining $571 billion to miscellaneous expenses.

2009 Federal Budget Breakdown

Overall, close to half of the discretionary federal budget goes to the Department of Defense. When the

funds from the Recovery Act are added in, The Department of Education is allocated a vast amount of money to help improve public school and increase access to higher education. The Department of Transportation also see a great deal of money for programs that will improve air traffic control and create an efficient and green fast interstate rail system.

To better understand the allotment of funds, the following chart shows the distribution of capital in the 2010 Federal budget.

Department of Education – $46.7billion+$81.1billion from Recovery Act

Obama’s commitment to bettering the US educational system can be seen through the $81.1 billion he dedicates to education in the Recovery Act as well as the $46.7 billion in the 2010 federal budget. He wants to strengthen public schools, reward effective teaching and expand opportunities for higher education.

Department of Education Budget Highlights

Innovative Solutions

Expand access to high quality early childhood education – no monetary value given

Funds education research – no monetary value given

Increase funding for charter schools – no monetary value given

College Access and Completion

Access and Completion Incentive Fund, which supports state efforts that help low-income students finish college – $2.5 billion over 5 years

Increase mximum Pell Awards – $5,500 as new maximum

American Opportunity Tax Credit made permanent – $2500 per credit

Department of Defense – $663.7 billion+$7.4 billion from the Recovery Act

The Department of Defense receives the lion’s share of the Federal Budget to be used both internally and externally. $533.7 billion is requested for specific programs with another $50-100 billion earmarked should the Department of Defense need it. The budget will cover the draw down of US troops from Iraq, the aid of struggling states like Pakistan and the funding of programs that help to monitor cyber, biological and nuclear threats. Overall, a large amount of funds are not detailed

Major Budget Allocations for the Department of Defense

Military Operations

Military Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan – $130 billion

Money that currently has no allocation but is budgeted should the Department of Defense need it – $50 billion

Soldiers

Pay for service members that will keep pace with or exceed private sector jobs – exact amount not provided

Expansion of military retired pay and Veterans Disability Compensation to all retirees receiving disability retired pay – exact amount not provided

Expansion on integrated mental health professionals with deployed unites – amount not provided

Improved medical care and housing for Wounded, Ill and Injured Servicemembers – amount not provided

Quality of life improvements for American Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines include modernization of barracks – amount not provided

Department of Transportation – $72.5billion + $48.1billion from the Recovery Act

The Department of Transportation is to use their budget to improve safety and reduce congestion as well as provide a financially viable system for the government. These improvements should also lead to new jobs for Americans. The money under the authority of the DOT increases from $17 billion to $70 billion. Overall, very few details are given as to why and exactly where the money is going

Major Expenditures

Modernize Traffic Control

Improve rural access to the aviation system as demand for subsidized commercial airspace increases – $55million

Improve the efficiency, safety and capacity of air traffic control through the Next Generation Air Transportation System – $800 million

Supports moving from ground-based radar surveillance to satellite surveillance – no amount provided

High-Speed Rail Networks

Creation of a high speed rail network as an environmentally friendly alternative to flying or driving – $5billion over 5 years

Department of Health and Human Services – $76.8billion+$22.44billion from the Recovery Act

We all know that the US health care system is broken. Obama’s 2010 budget attempts to lay the groundwork for a full scale American health care reform. Major points in his plan are: aligning incentives towards quality health care, promoting efficiency and accountability, encouraging shared responsibility. Obama also sets up a $630 billion 10year reserve fund to help finance the reform. Interesting provisions include several billion dollars to improve Alaskan Natives health care.

Highlights from the Department of Health and Human Services Budget

More Effective Health Care

Increase health care providers in certain areas – $330 million

Increase resources to detect, prevents and treat HIV/AIDs domestically – no monetary value stated

Funding for Research

Support and eventually double cancer research withing the National Institutes of Health (NIH) – $6 billion

Increase funding for research into cause and treatments for Autism Spectrum Disorders – $211 million

Support for Families and Youth

Additional funds for the President’s Zero to Five plan which provides health care to children in need – $1.1 billion

Expand the Head Start program – $1 billion

Expand the Child Care and Development Block Grant – $2 billion

Help low-income families heat and cool their homes – $3.2 billion



Additional Provisions

Improvement of Native American and Alaskan Natives healthcare – $4 billion

Improve access to and quality of health care in rural areas – $73 million

Department of Energy – $26.3billion+$38.7billion from the Recovery Act

Although Obama’s $26.3 billion budget allocation to the Department of Energy is far less than the $33.9 billion projected to be spent in 2009 it is still $2billion over the prior 3 years. A percentage of the budget goes to the promotion of a clean energy agenda and the advancement of Carbon Capture Storage technology. Obama also focuses on improving the safety and disposal of nuclear energy.



Highlights of Department of Energy Plan

New Energy Infrastructure

Provide additional funding to the Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, which received $11 billion form the Recovery Act – no monetary value given for 2010 budget

Clean Air Technology

Supports loan guarantees for renewable energy projects and carbon caputaure store projects. – no monetary value given

Along with $3.4 billion from the Recovery Act the 2010 budget supports the advancement of low-carbon coal technologies – no monetary value given

Increased Nuclear Security

Supports efforts to secure and dispose of nuclear material – no monetary value given

Supports efforts that will deter nuclear smuggling – no monetary value given

Department of Housing and Urban Development – $47.5billion+$13.6billion from the Recovery Act

The Department of Housing and Urban Development has a lot of ground to cover with its $47.5billion budget. Key goals for the money include creating sustainable communities, combating mortgage fraud and predatory lending and fully funding the Community Development Block Grant program. The budget also provides initial funding for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.



Budget Highlight from the U.S. Department of Housing ad Urban Development

Safe and Affordable Housing

Through the Affordable Housing Trust fund, the Obama budget tackles development, rehabilitation and preservation of affordable housing for very low-income residents – $1 billion

Increase government funding for rental assistance – no monetary value given

Combat mortgage fraud – no monetary value given

Help communities to invest in and expand economic opportunities for low-income families – $4.5billion

Department of Veteran Affairs – $55.9 billion + $1.4 billion from the Recovery Act

Over the next 5 years, Obama plans on increasing funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs by $25 billion. Unfortunately the budget does not focus on the exact details of where this $25 billion will go. The budget focuses on increasing high-quality health care for veterans, the developments of Centers for Excellence and increased access to mental and cognitive health care. It also provides for a pilot program with non profit organization to help veterans avoid homelessness.



Major Department of Veterans Budget Expenditures

Increased Funding and Benefit Expansion

General expansion of services and budget increases – $25billion increase over 5 years

Restoration on health care eligibility for modest income veterans – no amount provided

Enhanced outreach and services related to mental health and cognitive injuries for veterans – no amount provided

Supports quick implementation of comprehensive education benefits – no amount provided

Supports effective implementation of post-9/11 GI Bill – no amount provided

Department of State and Other International Programs

The United States needs to renew its leadership role in the world. The 2010 budget for the Department of State and Other International Programs aims to increase foreign aid to help education children in some of the poorest nations, increase global food supply and security, and stabilize post-conflict areas. The budge also includes an increase in funding for global health programs and non-military assistance to Afghanistan and Pakistan. No exact numbers are given in the budget as to where the money will go. There is a very large discretionary budget.

Plan highlights

Foreign Policy Goals

Increase funding for global health programs that commbat HIV/AIDs, malaria and TB – no specific amount given

Funding the first year of a multi year counterterrorism and law enforcement program – no specific amount given

Promotion of safe civilian uses of nuclear energy – no specific amount given

International Support

Expansion of diplomatic and development ties by increasing the number of state and USAID Foreign services officers – no specific amount given

Department of Homeland Security – $42.7billion+$2.8billion from the Recovery Act

The Department of Homeland Security budget focuses on safeguarding transportation systems, strengthening border security and immigration services and increasing research and development for cybersecurity.

Major Department of Homeland Security Expenses

Transportation

15 new Visual Intermodal Protection Response teams to increase in random force protection capability – $50,000,000

DHS and DoT Planning and modernization of freight infrastructure linking coastal and inland ports to highway and rail networks – $25,000,000

Cybersecurity and Technology R&D

Increase resilience and security of private and public sector cyber infrastructure – $355,000,000

Ongoing support and improvement of surveillance technologies to detect biological threats – $36,000,000

Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Services

Expansion of exit pilot and key land points of entry and general border secutiry priorities – $45,000,000

Support of existing Customs and Border Protections – $368,000,000

Expansion of electronic employment verification system, E-Verify, that hlps US employers to comply with immigration laws – $110,000,000

State Homeland Security Activities

Addition of state and local level intelligence analysts – $260,000,000

Department of Agriculture – $26billion + $6.9billion from Recovery Act

The $26billion budgeted for the Department of Agriculture is aimed at helping family farmers and rural Americans. Some of the more notable plans are expanding broadband to rural areas, development of renewable energy and to provide strong support for childhood nutrition.

Major Expenditures

Rural and Farm Economic Growth

Five Rural Development Programs – $61,000,000

Increase rural broadband – $1,300,000,000

Increase national supply of home-grown renewable fuels – $250,000,000

Rural teaching incentives and lands grants for minority-serving institutions – 70,000,000

US Natural Resources

Forest Protection – $50,000,000

Wildfire Protection – $1,382,000,000

Land conservation – $119,000,000

Food Safety and Nutrition Assistance

Child Nutrition Reauthorization – $1,000,000,000

Department of Justice – $26.5billion + $4 billion from the Recovery Act

The Department of Justice budget addresses funding for National Security and crime fighting agencies like the FBI and COPS. It also ensures that prison and detention programs receive adequate funding.



Major Expenditures Budgeted for the Department of Justice

Law Enforcement

Funding for the FBI – $8billion

Hire an additional 50,000 police officers – exact amount not provided

Strengthens funding to combat racial, ethnic, sexual preference, gender and religious discrimination through the Civil Right Division – $145 million

Prisoner and Justice Programs

Bureau of Prisons – $6billion

Office of the Detention Trustee, which ensures criminals and detainees are housed in safe, humane and secure facilities – $1.4billion

Prisoner re-entry programs – $109 million

Expansion of Office of Justice Programs authorized by Second Chance Act to provide job training, counseling and drug treatment – $75million

Department of Labor – $13.3billion+$4.8billion from the Recovery Act

The 2010 budget for the Department of Labor focuses on modernization and reform on the Unemployment Insurance system, building green jobs and the improvement on American working conditions.

Highlights from the 2010 Department of Labor Budget

Improve Unemployment Insurance System

Reduce improper payments and employer tax evasion by more than $4 billion over the next 10 years through modernization of system – no monetary value given

Increase labor standards

Increase funding for OSHA – no monetary value given

Increase funding for Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs – no monetary value given

Increase funding for the Wage and Hour Division – no monetary value given

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Department of Commerce – $13.8billion+$7.9billion from Recovery Act

To help the Department of Commerce with its mission to create jobs, Obama’s proposes a budget increase for the Department of Commerce from $9.3 billion in 2009 to $13.8 billion in 2010. Money will be divided among several projects like an increase in funding for weather satellites and climate centers, Technology Innovation Program and Manufacturing Extension Partnership to fund regional economic development and entrepreneurship in distressed areas.

Expenditure Highlights

Competitiveness and Innovation

Technology Innovation Program – $70,000,000

Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership – $125,000,000

Initiative to create new businesses in distressed areas – $50,000,000

Environmental Monitoring and Management

Weather forecasting and global climate monitoring – $1,300,000,000

2010 Census

Resources to conduct Census efficiently – $7,000,000,000

National Aeronautics and Space Administration – $18.7 billion+$1 billion from the Recovery Act

NASA is allocated nearly $20 billion (including funds from the Recovery Act) to do more than just explore space. NASA is partially responsible to help the US understand the effects of climate change on the planet.



Understanding NASA budget allocation

Climate change research and monitoring

Development of new space-based sensors to conduct global climate research – exact amount not provided

Space Exploration

Additional robotic space exploration missions – exact amount not provided

Completion of the International Space Station – exact amount not provided

Continuous support of the International Space Station – exact amount not provided

Additional research in air transportation to support future aircrafts

Environmental Protection Agency – $10.5 billion +$7.2 billion from the Recovery Act

The funds budgeted to the Environmental Protection Agency are for the restoration of the Great Lakes, additional funding for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, the Drinking Water Supply Revolving Fund, the Water Security Initiative, and the Water Alliance for Threat Reduction. It also allows for more than $1billion to clean up the most contaminated sites in the Superfund program.

Highlights of the US Environmental Protection Agency Budget

Clean Water

Funding of clean water initiatives through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund – $3.9 billion

Acceleration of the restoration of the Great Lakes – $475 million

Greenhouse Gas Reduction

Lay groundwork for a reduction in greenhouse gases and develop a comprehensive climate change plan to reduce 2005 greenhouse gas levels by 14$ by 2020 and 84% by 2050 – $19million

Water Safety and Security

Fully funding the Water Security Initiative and Water Alliance for Threat Reduction which creating drinking water contamination warning systems – $24 million

Superfund Program

Cleaning up the most toxic and contaminated sites in the US – $1 billion

Department of the Interior – $12billion + $3 billion from the Recovery Act

The U.S. Department of the Interior budget supports programs that expand environmental education activities, strengthen Native American communities and promote renewable energy. Obama’s budget also includes provisions to close loopholes that give oil companies excessive royalty relief.



Major Programs Receiving Money From U.S. Department of Interior Budget

US Natural Resources

National Park Service will receive funds to protect and maintain natural resources – $25 million

Land and Water Conservation Fund – $420 million

Create a dedicated funds to fight wildfires – $75 million

Clean Energy

Research and testing for renewable energy – $50,000,000

Wetlands conservation – $10,000 budget increase

Strengthening Native American Communities

Increase funding to the Bureau of Indian Affairs for law enforcement and education – $100 million

Department of the Treasury – $13.3 billion + $300 million from the Recovery Act

The Department of the Treasury exists to promote economic prosperity and financial security of the United States. The 2010 budget supports the Financial Stability Plan, emphasizes transparent and accountable program management. In addition to the 2010 Budget, there is a $250 billion contingent reserve for further efforts to stabilize the financial system.

Highlights of the Department of Treasury Budget

IRS Services

Additional funds to assist the IRS with tax collection abroad – exact amount not specified

Improve quality of taxpayer experience – exact amount not specified

Lending and Community Development

Double funding for the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund to help locally based financial institutions offer small business, consumer and home loans – exact amount not specified

Additional Point of Interest

Funds are set aside as a reserve to be used in and when necessary to stabilize the financial system – $250 billion

Social Security Administration – $11.6 bullion +$1.1 billion from the Recovery Act

The Social Security Administration is indispensable to seniors, survivors, workers and the disable, but unfortunately the SSA can only pay full benefits until 2041. The 2010 Federal budget does not plan for 2042, but instead provides a 10% increase to help process claims more quickly. The budget also intends to help improve framework to extend the viability of the program as best possible.

Highlights of the 2010 Social Security Administration Budget

Program Integrity and Operation

Increase staffing at the SSA to help process claims and appeals more quickly – exact amount not disclosed

Increase Social Security card processing and Social Security Number distribution – exact amount not disclosed

Increase integrity of SSA to ensure efficient government spending – $759 million

National Science Foundation – $7 billion +$3 billion from the Recovery Act

Climate change is an integral part of several departmental budgets, including the National Science Foundation. Other goals for the NSA 2010 budget include increased high-risk, high-reward research and increased graduate research fellowships.

National Science Foundation Budget Highlights

Research in Global Climate Change

Support for research to improve the ability to predict future environmental conditions and develop strategies to respond to global environmental changes – exact amount not specified

Establishment of a climate change education program – exact amount not specified

High-Risk, High-Reward Research

Increased support for exploratory and high-risk research proposals that could alter our understanding or nature, revolutionize the fields of science or radically change new technologies

Graduation Research Fellowships and Early-Career Researchers

Substantial increase to NSF’s Graduate Research Fellowship and Faculty Early Career Development programs – exact amount not specified

Increased support for the Advanced Technological Education program – exact amount not specified

Corps of Engineers – Civil Works – $5.1 billion + $4.6 billion from the Recovery Act

The 2010 Obama Administration budget gives the Corps of Engineers – Civil Works a $5.1 billion discretionary budget. It should help to strengthen the Nation’s water resources infrastructure and restore Gulf Coast wetlands



Budget Emphasis for the Corps of Engineers – Civil Works

Construction on High-Return Investments

Facilitate commercial navigation – discretionary

Reduce the risk of flood and storm damage – discretionary

Restore significant aquatic ecosystems – discretionary

Phasing out of excise tax on diesel fuel for inland waterways and replace it with a lock usage fee – discretionary

Maintenance

Safe and reliable operation of facilities – discretionary

Gulf Coast Commitment – discretionary

Continued funding to restore Louisiana coastal wetlands – discretionary

Restoration of wetland affected by the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet – discretionary

Small Business Administration – $700 million +$700 million from the Recovery Act

Between the Recovery Act and the 2010 federal budget, the Small Business Administration (SBA) is given $1.4 billion, which can be used for distributing capital through guaranteed loans and investment products. It also strives to improve Federal contract opportunities for small business. Although compared to other departments, this is not a large amount, but the Federal government does provide for small businesses during the credit crisis through Section 504 of Guaranteed Loan program.

Details about the Small Business Administration Budget

Agency Operations

Improve technological infrastructure of the SBA to help it remain transparent – amount not given

Purchase of modern loan accounting system – amount not provided

Streamline and automate lending and contracting systems – amount not provided

Contract Opportunities for Small Business

Provide additional counseling and business development experts to assist small businesses – amount not provided

Improve Women’s Business Centers, SCORE, and Small Business Development Centers – amount not provided

Increase small business access to Federal prime and sub-contracting opportunities – amount not provided

Small Business Assistance Covered in Other Parts of the Budget

Guaranteed Disaster Loan Program – amount given to small businesses not provided

Corporation For National Community Service – $1.1 billion + $200 million from the Recovery Act

The Corporation For National Community Service provides opportunities for Americans to volunteer and serve their community. The $261 million budget increase will help to create a new Social Innovation Fund and expand service-learning in American schools.

Highlights from the Corporation For National Community Service 2010 Budget

Expansion of National Service

Expand AmeriCorps from 75,000 funded slots 250,000 – exact amount not specified

Increase the amount of the Eli Segal Education Award – exact amount not specified

Expand and improve Senior Corps programs allowing more retirees to help meet the needs in their communities – exact amount not specified

Grow service-learning in US schools by providing additional research for Learn and Serve America – exact amount not specified

Strengthen Management Capacity of the Corporation For National Community Service

Increase funding for administration and strengthen capacity to manage programs, measure performance and conduct evaluations – exact amount not specified

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