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nationalpriorities.bsky.social
National Priorities Project
@nationalpriorities.bsky.social
1.2K followers 67 following 94 posts
We track federal spending & revenue for the benefit of all Americans
💸😅💸. Nominated for 2014 Nobel Peace Prize. We repost interesting stuff. 🕊
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nationalpriorities.bsky.social
This Thanksgiving is a reminder that people should be fed, families belong together, and the U.S. war machine isn’t keeping us safe.
A graphic with a peach-colored background that reads “3 Things To Keep In Mind This Thanksgiving.” Beneath the text are small illustrations: two people holding a “Defend Native Land” sign, an ear of corn, and a multigenerational family. At the bottom is the National Priorities Project at the Institute for Policy Studies logo. A graphic titled “1) People should be fed.” Text explains that 42 million Americans rely on SNAP, discusses cuts to food assistance, and mentions increases to the Pentagon budget. On the lower left is a photo of a cashier scanning groceries for a family at a supermarket checkout. A graphic titled “2) Families belong together.” Text describes the separation of immigrant families and includes statistics about detention and public disapproval. Below the text is a photo of two adults walking hand-in-hand with two small children on a grassy path. Additional text explains the importance of immigrants to the U.S. and notes that nearly 80% of people believe immigration benefits the country. A graphic titled “3) End the U.S. war machine.” It explains that the U.S. military has over 800 bases worldwide and that war and militarism create toxic environmental impacts, including chemical contamination and air pollution. It mentions opposition from native people and long-time residents in Guam, Okinawa, Japan, and New Mexico to military bases and nuclear weapons testing. The graphic includes two photos: one of a military base with mountains in the background, and another of stacked metal barrels.
November 27, 2025 at 7:55 PM
nationalpriorities.bsky.social
We don’t need one more dime for war and weapons. We need affordable healthcare.
A graphic from the National Priorities Project compares federal spending. The top half reads: “$32 billion is the amount that the Senate approved to increase the Pentagon budget by.” The bottom half says: “That’s nearly enough to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies for another year, at a cost of $35 billion.” Icons of a bomb and a stethoscope appear on opposite sides, and the message at the bottom reads: “We need to reprioritize.”
November 20, 2025 at 4:07 PM
nationalpriorities.bsky.social
Our cities are not training grounds.
Our people should have affordable healthcare.
A green graphic with dotted texture features large white text stating: “$473 million is the cost so far of Trump’s National Guard occupations in five U.S. cities.” Below this, an illustration shows a military tank and three human silhouettes. Further text reads: “That’s enough to fund full Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies for 465,000 people at risk of seeing their health insurance premiums significantly increase.” At the bottom is the National Priorities Project logo.
November 14, 2025 at 4:16 PM
nationalpriorities.bsky.social
The $24 billion that MAGA is protecting for the Golden Dome during the shutdown is three times more than the $8 billion in food stamps they want to hold back from hungry people this month.
November 3, 2025 at 7:57 PM
nationalpriorities.bsky.social
It costs ~$8B to fund SNAP for November during the shutdown.

Meanwhile, Trump claims money should be available to the Dept. of War, including $24 billion for the absurd Golden Dome missile project.
November 3, 2025 at 7:57 PM
nationalpriorities.bsky.social
MAGA priorities? Golden Dome over hungry families.
November 3, 2025 at 7:57 PM
nationalpriorities.bsky.social
Government shutdown for healthcare, blank check for war and weapons. It's time to shift priorities.
The background is plain and green. There is a dark, wide arrow at the top with a background overlay of 100 USD bills. All text is white. Inside the arrow is text: “$31 billion (at least) is the cost of U.S. support to Israel and broader wars in the region over the past two years.” Below this arrow is a block of text that says, “For $35 billion, we could prevent health insurance premiums from doubling for millions of people next year.” At the very bottom of the slide is a thick black border with text over it that says "We need to reprioritize." Right next to this text is the National Priorities Project at the Institute for Policy Studies logo with a sun and rays.
October 21, 2025 at 2:07 PM
nationalpriorities.bsky.social
Reminder:
October 2, 2025 at 2:57 PM
nationalpriorities.bsky.social
Fund communities, not war and climate collapse.
3 Ways Climate and the Pentagon are Connected 1) The U.S. military extracts and pollutes from people and land. The Pentagon is the largest institutional polluter in the world. The U.S. war machine holds toxic legacies in military bases and surrounding waters - including in Japan, Afghanistan, the Mariana Islands, and in the United States - which affect island nations and military families alike. The Pentagon dumped chemicals in oceans after World War I and well into the 1970s. This resulted in a ban against chemical disposal into the oceans by 1972. However, the fight against “forever chemicals,” or PFAS contamination, endures to this day. 2) Military spending crowds out investments we need for climate. In 2014-2024, the U.S. spent only $2 billion on climate finance, while handing $79 billion in aid to other countries to finance the purchase of U.S. weapons. In 2025, the Pentagon budget is poised to reach $1 trillion. The Big Ugly Bill gave an additional $150 billion to the Pentagon and funded the mass deportation agenda by an unprecedented $170 billion. Recently, the Trump administration cancelled $29 billion in community environmental and energy grants. 3) War and environmental breakdown spur forced displacement, political instability and ecocide. What is ecocide? The destruction of the environment by humans. Estimates project 200 million to 1 billion people will migrate due to climate-related impacts by 2050. The U.S. response to increased migration? Transforming borders into militarized zones, severely limiting people’s rights to move and stay.
September 24, 2025 at 4:54 PM
nationalpriorities.bsky.social
This September, as nations gather for the UN General Assembly and Climate Week NYC, we mobilize for peace and climate justice!

Fund a livable planet for all. Join an action here:
drawtheline.world
climatemilitarism.org/weekofaction
makebillionairespay.us
September 18, 2025 at 1:58 PM
nationalpriorities.bsky.social
We should invest in the well-being of our kids, rather than separating them from their families.
The background is green and has a grayish dot pattern. All text is white. There is a handwritten circle with text inside: "$50,000 is the cost of a sign-on bonus to join ICE." There is a tiny graphic of shadows of three ICE agents to elaborate on the text. The circle has an arrow that points to more text. The text is: "That's enough to fund 17 children with low-income healthcare." To the left and right of the text here are two tiny graphics to signify healthcare: 1) a heart with a cardiography line in the middle going horizontally, and 2) a stethoscope. At the very bottom in the center is the National Priorities Project at the Institute for Policy Studies logo with a sun and rays.
September 15, 2025 at 4:33 PM
nationalpriorities.bsky.social
The MAGA regime is escalating attacks on families at home and abroad, from D.C. to Gaza.

Deploying troops in D.C. is yet another attempt to scapegoat & target struggling people to advance their draconian agenda in service of billionaires, war profiteers, and white supremacy.
August 18, 2025 at 7:52 PM
nationalpriorities.bsky.social
Nearly a billion dollars to repurpose a 'free' gift, while public media is under threat.
The background is split horizontally by a tear from a ripped paper, which signifies a comparison. The color on the top half is a lighter shade of green than the bottom half. The National Priorities Project at the Institute for Policy Studies logo is in white at the bottom left corner with a quarter of a sun and its rays as the symbol. The text in the top half says, "$934 million is the taxpayer cost of retrofitting a luxury plane that Qatar 'gifted' to Trump into an Air Force One plane," with a plane and its path being traced by a line with a swirl. At the bottom half, it says, "That's enough to save: the Corporation for Public Broadcasting that the GOP just defunded at a cost of $545 million." There are audio waves underlying the text in the bottom half, signifying broadcasting.
July 31, 2025 at 4:46 PM
nationalpriorities.bsky.social
Fund our needs, not violence.
Background is green to black gradient vertically. The National Priorities Project at the Institute for Policy Studies logo is in white at the bottom left corner with a quarter of a sun and its rays as the symbol. The text at the top is in light yellow and says, "If you paid taxes for 2024, you likely paid..." Below in white text is "$1.88 for PUBLIC BROADCASTING." The text is accompanied by small graphics of two newscasters and a broadcasting tower, signifying public broadcasting. Below that is text in light yellow and white that says, "vs. $73 for ISRAEL'S WARS" accompanied by small graphics of a missile and an explosion on homes, signifying Israel bombing homes in Gaza.
July 29, 2025 at 3:35 PM
nationalpriorities.bsky.social
Last week, Republicans in Congress advanced a rescission package that claws back $9 billion in funding for public media and global aid.

True security means that we get to keep the lifeline programs that feed us, save us, and connect us, not the systems that kill and separate us.
Background is green to black gradient vertically. The National Priorities Project at the Institute for Policy Studies logo is in white at the bottom left corner with a quarter of a sun and its rays as the symbol. The text at the top is in light yellow and says, "If you paid taxes for 2024, you likely paid..." Below in white text is "$232 for DIPLOMACY and INTERNATIONAL AID." The text is accompanied by small graphics of 1) a handshake signifying diplomacy and 2) a first aid kit signifying international aid. Below that is text in light yellow and white that says, "vs. $3,707 for WAR and WEAPONS," accompanied by small graphics of grenades and a plane dropping bombs, signifying war and weapons.
July 21, 2025 at 6:47 PM
nationalpriorities.bsky.social
The Texas floods are a painful reminder that the federal agencies responsible for disaster response and planetary safety are underinvested - while Pentagon contractors continue to get richer.

People everywhere deserve protection and safety.
Background is green to black gradient vertically. The National Priorities Project at the Institute for Policy Studies logo is in white at the bottom left corner with a quarter of a sun and its rays as the symbol. The text at the top is in light yellow and says, "If you paid taxes for 2024, you likely paid..." Below in white text is "$189 for FEMA's disaster relief fund and $25 for the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration." The text is accompanied by small graphics of 1) a red triangle with a white exclamation mark in the middle surrounded by a raindrop, fire, and tornado, signifying disaster relief, and 2) planet Earth. Below that is text in light yellow and white that says, "vs. $1,430 for Pentagon contractors" accompanied by small graphics of a military tank and explosion, signifying war and weapons.
July 9, 2025 at 4:58 PM
nationalpriorities.bsky.social
We could fund housing, education, healthcare, and food assistance with the $134 million going towards Trump's deployment of troops to LA.

It's time to prioritize community care over careless control.
The background is green and has a grayish dot pattern. All text is white. There is a handwritten circle with text inside: "$134 million is the estimated cost of deploying troops to Los Angeles to squash protests against ICE raids." There are two tiny graphics of a black military tank and shadows of three troops to symbolize the text. The circle has an arrow that points to more text. The text is: "That's enough to fund: 13,919 public housing units, or 10,471 Head Start slots for children, or 27,125 people receiving Medicaid benefits, or 3,442 4-year college scholarships, or 716,578 people receiving SNAP benefits to combat hunger Next to the listed items are 5 decals to represent the items: 1) a house for public housing, 2) an apple for childhood education / Head Start, 3) a heart for healthcare / Medicaid, 4) a graduation cap for college scholarships, and 5) bread for food assistance / SNAP." At the very bottom in the center is the National Priorities Project at the Institute for Policy Studies logo with a sun and rays.
June 11, 2025 at 7:50 PM
nationalpriorities.bsky.social
$1 trillion is more than enough to meet our most basic needs.
The background is plain and green. There is a dark, wide arrow at the top with a background overlay of 100 USD bills. All text is white. Inside the arrow is text: "Trump is seeking $1,000,000,000,000 for the Pentagon budget. $1 trillion could do all of these:" Below is a list of items separated into two columns. The text in the first column is: "Expand early childcare; Provide free college for the graduating class of 2025; Erase all medical debt; Treat substance use disorder; End the nursing and teaching shortage; Provide health insurance for all uninsured children". The text in the second column is: "End homelessness; Provide housing security for renters under threat of eviction; Cut child poverty; Replace all lead pipes; Build nationwide high-speed rail; Address climate change". Around the columns are 4 decals/graphic elements to represent the items on the list: 1) a book for education, 2) a stethoscope for healthcare, 3) a house for public housing, and 4) a lightbulb with a small plant inside for climate resilience. At the very bottom of the slide is a thick black border with text over it that says "We need to reprioritize." Right next to this text is the National Priorities Project at the Institute for Policy Studies logo with a sun and rays.
May 8, 2025 at 4:04 PM
nationalpriorities.bsky.social
Let's not forget: Republicans in Congress are proposing $86 billion MORE in spending each year for war, weapons, and deportations.
Green background with 100 US dollar bills all over, with the National Priorities Project at the Institute for Policy Studies logo in the bottom left corner in white. Text is a quote from a person. The quote is, "Budgets are moral documents. We put more, and more, and more money into the military-industrial complex - into the war economy. Dr. King told us years ago that any nation where all decisions are decided by how much money is going into the war economy is on a downward spiral.” Underneath is the person, "Rev. William Barber II" with a headshot of him to the right.
April 25, 2025 at 5:40 PM
nationalpriorities.bsky.social
It’s time to file taxes! Have you seen our NEW analysis showing where your 2024 taxes went? 💵

Spoiler alert: $3,707 went to war and weapons. Just $445 went to food assistance/SNAP - which 40 million people depend on.
$1 bill split into pieces proportionate to how much the average U.S. taxpayer paid for their 2024 taxes. The amounts are as follows: 25 cents for ‘Health, 21 cents for ‘War & weapons’, 6 cents for ‘Unemployment & labor’, 5 cents for ‘Education’, 4 cents for ‘Food & Agriculture’, 3 cents for ‘Housing & Community’, 2 cents for ‘Energy & Environment’, 1 cent for ‘International Affairs’, 1 cent for ‘Law Enforcement’, and 1 cent for ‘Science’.
April 11, 2025 at 5:42 PM
nationalpriorities.bsky.social
Tax Day is almost here! 🧾💸

In 2024, the average taxpayer in the U.S. paid:
$3,707 for weapons and war (628 dozen eggs) vs. just $39 for USAID, the agency that provides lifesaving food and medical help to millions (6 dozen eggs).
Receipt showing how much the average U.S taxpayer gave to militarism for their 2024 taxes. $3,708 for weapons and war is the total, followed by subtotal line items underneath: Pentagon is $2,929; Pentagon contractors is $1,420; Nuclear weapons is $150; Israeli military is $73; and SpaceX is $5.
April 9, 2025 at 8:52 PM
nationalpriorities.bsky.social
Any dollar towards the destruction of our people and planet is a dollar we can't afford.
The slide color is a green gradient. It is split into a top half and bottom half, with text. The National Priorities Project at the Institute for Policy Studies logo is on the top left corner. The top half of the slide has an image of a sad and crying child with her face held up by a parent/guardian, signifying children and families being separated due to Trump's mass deportation agenda. The text here reads: “$86 billion is what the U.S. Senate is proposing in new spending for the Pentagon (wars and weapons) and mass deportations.” The bottom half has an image of four kids in a classroom paying attention, signifying the early childhood education program called Head Start. The text here reads: “That’s enough to provide Head Start for 3.6 million children, health insurance for 4 million children — and public housing for 3.9 million families." referring to the $86 billion figure.
March 31, 2025 at 8:29 PM
nationalpriorities.bsky.social
The CR passed last week and this week we’re seeing the impacts.

More money for weapons is killing many innocent people and supporting violence. Less money for critical services - and the workers who keep them running - is disastrous for the health of our communities.
Green gradient as background with National Priorities Project at the Institute for Policy Studies logo in the top left corner. The text is quoted below and the accompanying graphics are in parentheses: "Congress passed a continuing resolution to fund the government through the rest of the fiscal year - at the end of September 2025." (Here, an animated graphic of a dollar bill is under this text to symbolize money). "It cuts funding for mental health, child, and disability services through the Department of Health and Human Services by more than a billion dollars from FY2024 levels." (Here, an animated graphic of a group of diverse peoples - gender, ages, and ability - are together under a hand holding a heart, signifying the health of our communities.) "It also boosts spending for missiles that facilitate genocide by $1.4 billion." (There are animated graphics of missiles and a pool of blood signifying violence from the missiles.)
March 27, 2025 at 7:56 PM
nationalpriorities.bsky.social
Pentagon contracts cost more than all federal employees combined.

DOGE: If saving money were really the goal, why not start there?
Bar chart with title "Pentagon Contracts Cost More than All Federal Employees Combined (Including Pentagon Employees)". Two data points (bars) present: Pentagon contracts were worth $414 billion in Fiscal Year 2022 compared to Federal employee compensation at $271 billion that same period. The figures remain largely unchanged today.
February 25, 2025 at 4:57 PM
nationalpriorities.bsky.social
The US has 750 foreign military bases in 80 nations - at least three times as many overseas bases as all other countries combined.

We could be putting more towards the immediate, basic needs of struggling Americans instead of furthering conflict and war around the world.
Green background with two images overlaid. The smaller image on top is of marching soldiers in camouflage uniform and the larger image below is of many gathered hands. Bold white and yellow outlined text on the top image reads: "The total cost of maintaining foreign US military bases is an estimated $80 billion annually." Dividing the two images is a black rectangle with yellow text inside that reads: "Instead of furthering global conflict and war every year we could fund:" Below over the image of the hands bold outlined text in white and yellow reads: "Affordable housing for every one of the 3.9 million Americans who receive an eviction notice each year, AND Affordable housing for every one of the 653,000 Americans who experienced homelessness, AND Provide health insurance for every one of the 4 million uninsured children in this country, AND Expand Head Start to serve 4 in 5 children in poverty versus the current 1 in 3"
February 24, 2025 at 3:29 PM