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Federal Budget, 101
The US federal budget outlines how the government plans to both raise revenue and spend it via its 3 million workers across more than 400 agencies in a given fiscal year. The president submits a detailed budget request to Congress. Congress then reviews this proposal and develops its own budget resolutions through 12 appropriations bills. If there's an impasse, "continuing resolutions" can be temporarily used to maintain funding while bills are debated.

Federal spending is divided into two main categories: mandatory and discretionary.

Mandatory includes expenses required by existing law (like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid). Discretionary spending includes funds for programs subject to annual review like defense, education, and transportation.

A federal deficit occurs when the government’s annual spending exceeds its revenues. The national debt is the cumulative total of these annual deficits and represents the government’s outstanding financial obligations.

... Read our full explainer on the federal budget here.

Also, check out ...
> Before 1921, there was no federal budget, and it was pretty chaotic. (More)
> What happens if we hit the national debt ceiling. (More)
> Track US spending this year. (More)


Barbecue, explained
Barbecue is an umbrella term for several culinary methods that involve live fire or smoke to cook meat. From Memphis-style dry-rubbed ribs to Argentine asado, the style is an integral part of cuisines around the world.

Barbecue can involve direct or indirect heat techniques. Direct heat, often called “grilling” in the United States, involves quickly cooking ingredients directly over the heat source (think hamburgers or Japanese yakitori skewers). Indirect heat, where the ingredients are placed adjacent to the flames to cook “low and slow,” is often associated with American barbecue dishes like smoked brisket (read more about the difference).

Modern barbecue originated in the precolonial Caribbean and Americas; the word is thought to come from “barabicu,” an Indigenous term referring to wooden frames used to cook meat high above the fire. While there are dozens of unique regional barbecue styles in the US, the “Big Four” are the best known: Carolina, Memphis, Texas, and Kansas City.

... Read our full deep dive on barbecue here.

Also, check out ...
> The delicious chemistry of barbecue. (More)
> Exploring the United States of barbecue sauces. (More)
> Why are barbecues considered patriotic? (More)

SOURCE:  1440 NEWS