Downsizing Blog
U.S. Postal Service
The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is a major business enterprise operated by the federal government with 650,000 workers and $77 billion in revenues in 2021.
Fiscal Federalism
Under the U.S. Constitution, the federal government was assigned specific, limited powers, and most government functions were left to the states.
It’s Time for Congress to Ban Earmarks
Last month, Republicans won majority control of the House of Representatives after price inflation hit a 40‐year high, squeezing family budgets and creating economic uncertainty.
Infrastructure Investment
The importance of infrastructure investment to the U.S. economy is widely recognized.
Cut the Earned Income Tax Credit
In the new Cato Handbook for Policymakers, I propose cutting the earned income tax credit (EITC).
Five Lame Duck Threats to Avoid
Now that the midterm elections have passed, members of Congress are back in Washington and up to no good.
Tax Increases and the Great Depression
Did tax increases deepen and extend the Great Depression?
New Analysis Finds Expanded Child Tax Credit Reduces Work and Growth
New analysis produced by the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) finds that extending the American Rescue Plan’s (ARP) Child Tax Credit (CTC) expansion would result in costly economic consequences.
Return Discretionary Spending to Pre‐Pandemic Levels
After this week’s election, members of Congress will return to Washington for a lame‐duck session during which they will confront a “must‐pass” deadline of their own making.
The Debt Limit: A Lever to Change Autopilot Spending
“The debt ceiling is an important tool for addressing debt and deficit,” suggests Rep. Adrian Smith (R‑NE).