The Latest Breaking News from Brian Riedl

“What’s the point of having Congress?”

Some conservative scholars are admitting that Elon Musk's slash-and-burn approach to government is unconstitutional

Salon · Feb 5, 2025

The Impact of Trump's Cost-Cutting Initiative Hinges on What He Means by 'Government Efficiency'

Narrowly understood, the president-elect's familiar-sounding plan to tackle "massive waste and fraud" may not give us "smaller government" in any meaningful sense.

Reason · Nov 13, 2024

Biden and Harris' Record on Spending and Debt Is a Tragedy of Epic Proportion

When they entered the White House, the budget deficit was a pandemic-influenced $2.3 trillion, and it was set to fall to $905 billion by 2024. It's now twice what it was supposed to be.

Reason · Oct 10, 2024

Why a government default could be worse than a government shutdown

All the hand-wringing over a potential government default if Congress doesn’t increase the national debt limit has conjured up images of past government shutdowns

The Independent UK · May 18, 2023

Biden, McCarthy in different worlds on debt standoff

As Washington slow-walks toward a crisis over the national debt, President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy are talking to two very different Americas

The Independent UK · Apr 19, 2023

The GOP's Current Plan To Cut Spending Is a Political Failure

Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are still the chief drivers of our future debt. But Republicans aren't touching them.

Reason · Jan 19, 2023

Expected Interest Rate Hike Will Add $2 Trillion to the Deficit

So much for the idea that low interest rates meant the government could borrow endlessly with no consequences.

Reason · Sep 20, 2022

Jon Stewart Accuses GOP of 'Cruelty' for Wanting Minor Amendments to Pricey Veterans' Bill

Senate Republicans have raised reasonable objections that legislation covering veterans' health conditions linked to toxic burn pits will allow for more spending on unrelated items.

Reason · Aug 2, 2022