The A’s of Government (2012 Budget)

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The A's of Government (2012 Budget)

This is a list of the budgets and purposes of the federal agencies that begin with A.

The project of generating this list began in 2013. At the time, we were writing on the congressional budget process and faced with the upcoming government shutdown. Amidst all of that, I wondered: How much money is each agency allocated? How long would it take to find things to cut just by alphabetically reviewing the federal agencies?

Thus, I began the project on this list. I was (ambitiously) planning to go through the whole alphabet, so I waited to schedule the posts. However, after finishing the A’s, I got stuck in the sneaky B’s (the Bureaus hide their budgets well).

Recently, as I revisited the series, I realized that the A’s are an interesting set on their own, so here they are. A few of the more outrageous highlights are $8 million for promoting self-sufficiency in Native Americans (Administration for Native Americans) and $55.7 billion for granting money to foreign entities (USAID).

AbilityOne Commission

$5,771,000

…manufacturing jobs for the blind

USA.gov says

The AbilityOne Commission creates job opportunities for people who are blind or have other significant disabilities in the manufacture and delivery of products and services to the Federal Government.

Wikipedia says

The Javits–Wagner–O’Day Act 41 U.S.C. § 46 et seq. is a U.S. federal law requiring that all federal agencies purchase specified supplies and services from nonprofit agencies employing persons who are blind or have other significant disabilities. The Act was passed by the 92nd United States Congress in 1971….The program it oversees, known for over three decades as the Javits Wagner O’Day Program, was renamed “AbilityOne” by Congress in 2006. The Committee is composed of fifteen Presidentially-appointed members, eleven of whom represent governmental agencies (Department of Agriculture, Air Force, Army, Commerce, Defense, Education, Justice, United States Department of Labor, Navy and Veterans Affairs, and the General Services Administration). The remaining four members are private citizens knowledgeable about the employment problems of people who are blind or have other severe disabilities, including those employed by nonprofit agencies affiliated with the AbilityOne Program.

Access Board

$2,024,159

…setting regulatory standards for handicapped access

USA.gov says

The Access Board is an independent federal agency devoted to accessibility for people with disabilities. The Board develops and maintains design criteria for the built environment, transit vehicles, telecommunications equipment, and for electronic and information technology.

Wikipedia says

The United States Access Board (also known as the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board) is an independent agency of the United States government devoted to accessibility for people with disabilities. The Board was created in 1973 to ensure access to federally funded facilities. It develops and maintains design criteria for the built environment, transit vehicles, telecommunications equipment, and electronic and information technology. It also provides technical assistance and training on these requirements and on accessible design and continues to enforce accessibility standards that cover federally funded facilities.The Board is structured to function as a coordinating body among federal agencies and to directly represent the public, particularly people with disabilities. Half of its members are representatives from most of the federal departments. The other half are members of the public appointed by the U.S. President, a majority of whom must have a disability.

Administration for Children and Families (ACF)

$49,754,368,000

…giving welfare to families with needy children

USA.gov says

The Administration for Children and Families funds state, territory, local, and tribal organizations to provide family assistance (welfare), child support, child care, Head Start, child welfare, and other programs relating to children and families.

Wikipedia says

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is a division of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). It is headed by the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families. It has a $49 billion budget for 60 programs that target children, youth and families. These programs include assistance with welfare, child support enforcement, adoption assistance, foster care, child care, and child abuse.

Administration for Native Americans

$8,000,000

…promoting self-sufficiency in Native Americans

USA.gov says

The Administration for Native Americans promotes self-sufficiency and cultural preservation for Native Americans by providing social and economic development opportunities through financial assistance, training, and technical assistance.

Wikipedia says

The Administration for Native Americans (ANA) is a department of the United States Department of Health and Human Services established in 1974 through the Native American Programs Act (NAPA). The mission of ANA is to promote the goal of self-sufficiency and cultural preservation by providing social and economic development opportunities through financial assistance, training, and technical assistance to eligible tribes and Native American communities, including American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and other Native Pacific Islanders. ANA also oversees the Native Hawaiian Revolving Loan Fund, which is administered by the Office of Hawaiian affairs. Funding for community-based projects is provided through three competitive discretionary grant programs to eligible tribes and non-profit Native American organizations. Program areas include Social & Economic Development Strategies (SEDS), revitalization and continuation of Native American languages, and Environmental Regulatory Enhancement.

Administration on Aging (AoA)

$2,251,000,000

…evaluating the needs of an aging population

USA.gov says

The Administration on Aging is the Federal focal point and advocate agency for older persons and their concerns. In this role, the Administration on Aging works to heighten awareness among other Federal agencies, organizations, groups, and the public about the valuable contributions that older Americans make to the nation. The Administration also alerts others to the needs of vulnerable older people. Through information, referral and outreach efforts at the community level, the Administration seeks to educate older people and their caregivers about the benefits and services available to help them.

Wikipedia says

The Administration on Aging (AoA) is an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. AoA works to ensure that older Americans can stay independent in their communities, mostly by awarding grants to States, Native American tribal organizations, and local communities to support programs authorized by the Congress in the Older Americans Act. AoA also awards discretionary grants to research organizations working on projects that support those goals. It conducts statistical activities in support of the research, analysis, and evaluation of programs to meet the needs of an aging population.

Administration on Developmental Disabilities

$162,747,822

…making opportunities for the developmentally disabled

USA.gov says

The Administration on Developmental Disabilities ensures that individuals with developmental disabilities and their families have access to community services, individualized supports, and other forms of assistance that promote self-determination, independence, productivity, integration and inclusion in all facets of community life.

Wikipedia says

The Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD) is the United States federal agency responsible for implementation and administration of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (DD Act) and the disability provisions of the Help America Vote Act. Organizationally, the Administration on Developmental Disabilities is located within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and is part of the Department’s Administration for Children and Families.ADD’s mission is to improve and increase services to and assure that individuals with developmental disabilities have opportunities to make their own choices, contribute to society, have supports to live independently, and are free of abuse, neglect, financial and sexual exploitation, and violations of their legal and human rights.

Administrative Conference of the United States

$3,200,000

…overseeing and promoting efficiency in other federal agencies

USA.gov says

The Administrative Conference of the United States is an independent federal agency dedicated to improving federal agency administrative processes and procedures.

Wikipedia says

The Administrative Conference of the United States (ACUS) is an independent agency of the United States government established by the Administrative Conference Act of 1964. It is also considered to be a federal advisory committee. The Conference’s purpose is to promote improvements in the efficiency, adequacy, and fairness of the procedures by which federal agencies conduct regulatory programs, administer grants and benefits, and perform related governmental functions.To this end, the Conference conducts research and issues reports concerning various aspects of the administrative process and, when warranted, makes recommendations to the President, Congress, particular departments and agencies, and the judiciary concerning the need for procedural reforms.

Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts

$6,970,000,000*

…providing administrative support to the U.S. Courts

USA.gov says

The Administrative Office of the United States Courts handles the nonjudicial, administrative business of the United States Courts such as maintaining statistics and managing Court budgets.

Wikipedia says

The Administrative Office of the United States Courts (AO) is the administrative agency of the United States federal court system. It was established in 1939.The AO is the central support entity for the federal judicial branch. It provides a wide range of administrative, legal, financial, management, program, and information technology services to the federal courts.The AO is directly supervised by the Judicial Conference of the United States, the body that sets the national and legislative policy of the federal judiciary, which is composed of the Chief Justice of the United States, the chief judge of each court of appeals, a district court judge from each regional judicial circuit, and the chief judge of the United States Court of International Trade.

Advisory Council on Historic Preservation

$6,098,228

…protecting historic locations

USA.gov says

The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation encourages the preservation of historic properties across the nation.

Wikipedia says

The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) is an independent agency of the United States government that promotes the preservation, enhancement, and productive use of the nation’s historic resources, and advises the President and Congress on national historic preservation policy.The goal of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA), which established ACHP in 1966, is to have Federal agencies act as responsible stewards of the nation’s resources when their actions affect historic properties. ACHP is the only entity with the legal responsibility to encourage Federal agencies to factor historic preservation into Federal project requirements.As directed by the National Historic Preservation Act, ACHP serves as the primary federal policy advisor to the President and Congress; recommends administrative and legislative improvements for protecting the nation’s heritage; advocates full consideration of historic values in federal decisionmaking; and reviews Federal programs and policies to promote effectiveness, coordination, and consistency with national preservation policies.

African Development Foundation

$31,811,000

…giving grants to enterprises which benefit marginalized African groups

USA.gov says

The African Development Foundation provides grants to community groups and small enterprises that benefit under-served and marginalized groups in Africa.

Wikipedia says

The United States African Development Foundation (USADF) is an Independent United States Government Agency which provides grants of up to $250,000 to community groups and small enterprises that benefit under served and marginalized groups in Sub-Saharan Africa. USADF measures grant success in terms of jobs created and sustained, increased incomes levels, and improved social conditions.

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)

$405,000,000

…researching and regulating healthcare

USA.gov says

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality supports research to improve the quality, safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of health care for all Americans.

Wikipedia says

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) (formerly known as the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research) is one of 12 agencies within the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The agency originally began as the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research and was tasked with producing guidelines. However, it became controversial when it produced several guidelines which would reduce lucrative medical drugs and procedures. This included concern from ophthalmologists on a cataract guideline and concern by the pharmaceutical industry over a reduction in the use of new high-margin drugs. When the agency produced a guideline which concluded that back pain surgery was unnecessary and potentially harmful, a lobbying campaign aided by Congressmen whose backs had been operated on changed the name of the agency and “wound down” the guidelines program.

Agency for International Development (USAID)

$55,700,000,000

…granting money to foreign enterprises

USA.gov says

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is the principal U.S. agency to extend assistance to countries recovering from disaster, trying to escape poverty, and engaging in democratic reforms.

Wikipedia says

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is the United States federal government agency primarily responsible for administering civilian foreign aid. USAID seeks to “extend a helping hand to those people overseas struggling to make a better life, recover from a disaster or striving to live in a free and democratic country.” It operates in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe.President John F. Kennedy created USAID in 1961 by executive order to implement development assistance programs in the areas authorized by the Congress in the Foreign Assistance Act. The Congress updates this authorization through annual funds appropriation acts, and other legislation. Although technically an independent federal agency, USAID operates subject to the foreign policy guidance of the President, Secretary of State, and the National Security Council.

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

$75,378,333

…protecting the public from harmful exposures

USA.gov says

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry responds to, and protects people from harmful chemical exposures.

Wikipedia says

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) is a federal public health agency within the United States Department of Health and Human Services. The agency focuses on minimizing human health risks associated with exposure to hazardous substances. It works closely with other federal, state, and local agencies; tribal governments; local communities; and healthcare providers. Its mission is to “Serve the public through responsive public health actions to promote healthy and safe environments and prevent harmful exposures.” ATSDR was created as an advisory, nonregulatory agency by the Superfund legislation and was formally organized in 1985.

Agricultural Marketing Service

$1,369,000,000

…marketing U.S. produce in international markets

USA.gov says

The Agricultural Marketing Service supports the fair marketing of U.S. agricultural products.

Wikipedia says

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is an agency within the United States Department of Agriculture, and has Programs in five commodity areas: cotton and tobacco; dairy; fruit and vegetable; livestock and seed; and poultry. These programs provide testing, standardization, grading and market news services for those commodities, and oversee marketing agreements and orders, administer research and promotion programs, and purchase commodities for federal food programs. The AMS enforces certain federal laws such as the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act and the Federal Seed Act.

Agricultural Research Service

$1,265,000,000

…funding agricultural research

USA.gov says

The Agricultural Research Service works to find solutions to agricultural problems.

Wikipedia says

The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the principal in-house research agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). ARS is one of four agencies in USDA’s Research, Education and Economics mission area. ARS is charged with extending the nation’s scientific knowledge and solving agricultural problems through its four national program areas: nutrition, food safety and quality; animal production and protection; natural resources and sustainable agricultural systems; and crop production and protection. ARS research focuses on solving problems affecting Americans every day.

Agriculture Department

$145,000,000,000

…funding sub-agencies aiding agriculture

USA.gov says

The Department of Agriculture provides leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, and related issues.

Wikipedia says

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), also known as the Agriculture Department, is the U.S. federal executive department responsible for developing and executing federal government policy on farming, agriculture, forestry, and food. It aims to meet the needs of farmers and ranchers, promote agricultural trade and production, work to assure food safety, protect natural resources, foster rural communities and end hunger in the United States and abroad.

Air Force

$170,766,000,000

…protecting American air and space

USA.gov says

The Air Force defends the United States in the air and space.

Wikipedia says

The United States Air Force (USAF) is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on 18 September 1947 under the National Security Act of 1947. It is the most recent branch of the U.S. military to be formed, and is the largest and one of the world’s most technologically advanced air forces. The USAF articulates its core functions as Nuclear Deterrence Operations, Special Operations, Air Superiority, Global Integrated ISR, Space Superiority, Command and Control, Cyberspace Superiority, Personnel Recovery, Global Precision Attack, Building Partnerships, Rapid Global Mobility and Agile Combat Support.

Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau

$97,878,000

…enforcing taxes on alcohol, tobacco, and weapons

USA.gov says

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau collects taxes and enforces regulations on alcohol, tobacco, firearms, and ammunition.

Wikipedia says

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, statutorily named the Tax and Trade Bureau and frequently shortened to TTB, is a bureau of the United States Department of the Treasury. On January 24, 2003, the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (the Act) split functions of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), into two new organizations with separate functions. First, the Act established The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) under the Department of the Treasury. Second, the Act transferred certain law enforcement functions from Treasury to the Department of Justice. The ATF law enforcement functions were transferred to the Justice Department and were renamed the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Bureau

$1,147,295,000

…enforcing regulations on alcohol, tobacco, and weapons

USA.gov says

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives enforces federal criminal laws regulating the firearms and explosives industries.

Wikipedia says

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is a federal law enforcement organization within the United States Department of Justice. Its responsibilities include the investigation and prevention of federal offenses involving the unlawful use, manufacture and possession of firearms and explosives; acts of arson and bombings; and illegal trafficking of alcohol and tobacco products. The ATF also regulates via licensing the sale, possession, and transportation of firearms, ammunition, and explosives in interstate commerce. Many of ATF’s activities are carried out in conjunction with task forces made up of state and local law enforcement officers, such as Project Safe Neighborhoods. ATF operates a unique fire research laboratory in Beltsville, Maryland, where full-scale mock-ups of criminal arson can be reconstructed.

American Battle Monuments Commission

$61,100,000

…managing military cemeteries and memorials

USA.gov says

The American Battle Monuments Commission manages 24 overseas military cemeteries, and 25 memorials, monuments, and markers. Nearly all the cemeteries and memorials honor those who served in World War I or World War II.

Wikipedia says

The American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) is a small independent agency of the United States government. Established by Congress in 1923, it is responsible for:

  • Commemorating the services of the U.S. armed forces where they have served since April 6, 1917 (the date of U.S. entry into World War I)
  • Establishing suitable memorial shrines; designing, constructing, operating, and maintaining permanent American military burial grounds in foreign countries
  • Controlling the design and construction of U.S. military monuments and markers in foreign countries by other U.S. citizens and organizations, both public and private
  • Encouraging the maintenance of such monuments and markers by their sponsors

AmeriCorps

$534,790,000

…organizing domestic community service

USA.gov says

Formerly known as the Corporation for National and Community Service, AmeriCorps, and AmeriCorps Seniors engage volunteers in serving directly with nonprofit organizations to tackle the nation’s most pressing challenges.

Wikipedia says

AmeriCorps is a program of the U.S. federal government engaging adults in intensive community service work with the goal of “helping others and meeting critical needs in the community.” Members commit to full- or part-time positions offered by a network of nonprofit community organizations and public agencies, to fulfill assignments in the fields of education, public safety, health care, and environmental protection. The program is often compared to the Peace Corps as its domestic counterpart.

AMTRAK (National Railroad Passenger Corporation)

$1,845,600,000

…providing transportation via train

USA.gov says

Amtrak, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, provides intercity rail passenger service.

Wikipedia says

The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak, is a publicly funded service operated and managed as a for-profit corporation and began operations on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States.Amtrak operates more than 300 trains each day on 21,300 miles (34,000 km) of track at speeds up to 150 mph (240 km/h) connecting more than 500 destinations in 46 states and three Canadian provinces. In fiscal year 2012, Amtrak served a record 31.2 million passengers and had $2.88 billion in revenue while employing more than 20,000 people. Its headquarters is at Union Station in Washington, D.C.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

$1,101,000

…promoting agricultural health

USA.gov says

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service protects and promotes U.S. agricultural health, regulates genetically engineered organisms, administers the Animal Welfare Act, and manages wildlife damage.

Wikipedia says

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) responsible for protecting animal health, animal welfare, and plant health. APHIS is the lead agency for collaboration with other agencies to protect U.S. agriculture from invasive pests and diseases. APHIS is the National Plant Protection Authority for the U.S. government, and the agency’s head of veterinary services is Chief Veterinary Officer of the United States.

Antitrust Division

$166,200,000

…enforcing antitrust laws

USA.gov says

The Antitrust Division promotes economic competition through enforcing and providing guidance on antitrust laws and principles.

Wikipedia says

The United States Department of Justice Antitrust Division is responsible for enforcing the antitrust laws of the United States. It shares jurisdiction over civil antitrust cases with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and often works jointly with the FTC to provide regulatory guidance to businesses. However, the Antitrust Division also has the power to file criminal cases against willful violators of the antitrust laws. The Antitrust Division also works with competition regulators in other countries.

Appalachian Regional Commission

$546,000,000

…promoting economic development in Appalachia

USA.gov says

The Appalachian Regional Commission works for sustainable community and economic development in Appalachia.

Wikipedia says

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is a United States federal-state partnership that works with the people of Appalachia to create opportunities for self-sustaining economic development and improved quality of life. The Commission is a partnership of 420 counties or county-equivalents (including eight independent cities in Virginia, where state law makes cities administratively separate from counties), and the governors of West Virginia, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, and a presidential appointee representing the federal government. It is headquartered in Washington, D.C.

Architect of the Capitol

$567,500,000**

…maintaining the architectural presence of the legislative branch

USA.gov says

The Architect of the Capitol manages and maintains the U.S. Capitol, the Capitol Visitor Center, the Senate Office Buildings, the House Office Buildings, the Supreme Court Building, the Library of Congress, the U.S. Botanic Garden, and the Capitol Grounds

Wikipedia says

The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) is the federal agency responsible for the maintenance, operation, development, and preservation of the United States Capitol Complex, and also the head of that agency. The Architect of the Capitol is in the legislative branch and is responsible to the United States Congress.

Archives (National Archives and Records Administration)

$422,501,000

…preserving public documents

USA.gov says

The National Archives and Records Administration preserves U.S. government records, manages the Presidential Libraries system, and publishes laws, regulations, Presidential, and other public documents.

Wikipedia says

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is an independent agency of the United States government charged with preserving and documenting government and historical records and with increasing public access to those documents, which comprise the National Archives. NARA is officially responsible for maintaining and publishing the legally authentic and authoritative copies of acts of Congress, presidential proclamations and executive orders, and federal regulations.

Arctic Research Commission

$7,033,000,000

…regulating and financing research in the Arctic

USA.gov says

The U.S. Arctic Research Commission develops and recommends a national Arctic research policy.

Wikipedia says

The United States Arctic Research Commission is a United States federal agency. It was established by the Arctic Research and Policy Act of 1984 (as amended, Public Law 101-609).The Commission’s principal duties are:

  1. to establish the national policy, priorities, and goals necessary to construct a federal program plan for basic and applied scientific research with respect to the Arctic, including natural resources and materials, physical, biological and health sciences, and social and behavioral sciences;
  2. to promote Arctic research, to recommend Arctic research policy, and to communicate our research and policy recommendations to the President and the Congress;
  3. to work with the National Science Foundation as the lead agency responsible for implementing the Arctic research policy and to support cooperation and collaboration throughout the Federal Government;
  4. to give guidance to the Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee (IARPC) to develop national Arctic research projects and a five-year plan to implement those projects; and
  5. to interact with Arctic residents, international Arctic research programs and organizations and local institutions including regional governments in order to obtain the broadest possible view of Arctic research needs.

Armed Forces Retirement Home

$82,300,000

…funding two military retirement homes

USA.gov says

The Gulfport and Washington campuses of the Armed Forces Retirement Home are retirement centers for veterans of the U.S. military.

Wikipedia says

In 1991 Congress incorporated the U.S. Naval Home (opened in 1834) and U. S. Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home (founded in 1851) into an independent establishment of the Executive Branch of the Federal Government named the Armed Forces Retirement Home (AFRH) Agency. In 2002, the names of the two homes were officially changed to The Armed Forces Retirement Home – Gulfport and The Armed Forces Retirement Home – Washington.

Arms Control and International Security

$119,633,000

$2,432,000
$40,065,000
$41,275,000
$35,861,000

…regulating and enforcing international arms agreements

…advising the President and Secretary of State (Under Secretary)
…linking State Department to the Department of Defense (Political-Military Affairs)
…preventing the spread of specific weapons (International Security and Nonproliferation)
…enforcing international arms agreements (Arms Control, Verification and Compliance)

USA.gov says

The Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security serves as Senior Adviser to the President and the Secretary of State for Arms Control, Nonproliferation, and Disarmament.
 State.gov says  The Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance, the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, and the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs report to the Under Secretary.

Wikipedia says

The Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security Affairs is a position within the U.S. Department of State that serves as Senior Adviser to the President and the Secretary of State for Arms Control, Nonproliferation, and Disarmament.In this capacity, the Under Secretary (U/S) attends and participates, at the direction of the President, in National Security Council (NSC) and subordinate meetings pertaining to arms control, nonproliferation, and disarmament and has the right to communicate, through the Secretary of State, with the President and members of the NSC on arms control, nonproliferation, and disarmament concerns.

Army

$216,000,000,000

…defending the country

USA.gov says

Focusing on land operations, the U.S. Army organizes, trains, and equips active duty and Reserve forces to preserve the peace, security, and defense of the United States.

Wikipedia says

The United States Army (USA) is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services.

Army Corps of Engineers

$5,271,000,000

…strengthening national security through domestic engineering

USA.gov says

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers provides public engineering services in peace and war to strengthen national security, energize the economy, and reduce risks from disasters.

Wikipedia says

The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE, also sometimes shortened to CoE) is a U.S. federal agency under the Department of Defense and a major Army command made up of some 36,500 civilian and military personnel, making it the world’s largest public engineering, design, and construction management agency. Although generally associated with dams, canals and flood protection in the United States, USACE is involved in a wide range of public works throughout the world. The Corps of Engineers provides outdoor recreation opportunities to the public, and provides 24% of U.S. hydropower capacity.

Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Interagency Coordinating Committee

$535,633,000

…researching medical treatments

USA.gov says

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases supports research into the causes, treatment, and prevention of arthritis, musculoskeletal, and skin diseases.

Wikipedia says

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, or NIAMS, is part of National Institutes of Health. NIH is the nation’s medical research agency — making important discoveries that improve health and save lives. It includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. It is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases.

 


* A more precise number does not seem to be available on their website.

** This is budget authority (appropriations – redemption of debt). A more precise budget number cannot be found.

Photo used under Flickr Creative Commons.

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Megan Russell has worked with Marotta Wealth Management most of her life. She loves to find ways to make the complexities of financial planning accessible to everyone. She is the author of over 800 financial articles and is known for her expertise on tax planning.