Almost half U.S. budget goes to entitlement programs

From the United States Census Bureau

December 27, 2005

Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid account for more than $1 trillion of the $2.2 trillion the federal government spent in 2004, according to the only consolidated source of data on the geographic distribution of federal expenditures.

The report also reveals expenditures for the Department of Homeland Security, the first full year that this data has been included, and the Defense Department.

The data cover direct payments, grants, procurement awards, and salaries and wages, by federal agency and program, for state and county areas of the United States, including the District of Columbia and U.S. outlying areas.

Report highlights:

· The federal government spent $2.2 trillion in 2004, up 5 percent from 2003.

· Five states - California, New York, Texas, Florida and Pennsylvania received one-third of all federal funds in 2004. At the county or county-equivalent level, New York City, N.Y., led the list of recipients, followed by Los Angeles County, Calif.; Cook County, Ill.; San Diego County, Calif.; and Maricopa County, Ariz.

· Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid accounted for more than $1 trillion, nearly one-half of total federal spending.

· Defense Department spending was highest in the following five states: California, Virginia, Texas, Florida and Maryland.

· Fiscal Year 2004 is the first full year for which data are included for the Department of Homeland Security.

· The Consolidated Federal Funds Report data cover federal expenditures or obligations for direct payments, grants, procurement awards, and salaries and wages, by federal agency and program, for state and county areas of the United States, including the District of Columbia and U.S. outlying areas.

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