What are the 12 spending categories of America's federal budget? The United States budget is the responsibility of the U.S. House of Representatives to write once every year. The money to be spent is divided into 12 categories: Defense 13%, Social Security 21%, Health Insurance 24% (Medicare, etc.), Economic Security Programs 18% (Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit, food stamps, general assistance, etc.), Veteran’s Benefits 8%, Interest on the federal debt 10%, Other 14% ( to include Education (4%), Transportation (2%), Natural Resources and Agriculture (1%), Science and Medical Research (1%), Law Enforcement (1%), International (1%), more “Other” (4%).

If Congress does not provide a budget, then the government defaults on its obligations or votes for a Continuing Resolution (CR). A CR is a short-term extension of the existing budget and covers the funding of all programs at that time. Please visit our sister site, bback.us, for information, games and links about our country's political history.