Red Ink: Inside the High‑Stakes Politics of the Federal Budget by David Wessel examines how the U.S. federal budget actually works—who shapes it, what drives its growth, and why reform is so politically fraught. Through clear explanations and vivid reporting, Wessel breaks down major spending categories, the structural forces behind deficits, and the political incentives that keep meaningful change elusive. The book offers a grounded, accessible look at the fiscal choices that define American governance and the trade‑offs that policymakers continually confront.
Red Ink: Inside the High‑Stakes Politics of the Federal Budget by David Wessel examines how the U.S. federal budget actually works—who shapes it, what drives its growth, and why reform is so politically fraught. Through clear explanations and vivid reporting, Wessel breaks down major spending categories, the structural forces behind deficits, and the political incentives that keep meaningful change elusive. The book offers a grounded, accessible look at the fiscal choices that define American governance and the trade‑offs that policymakers continually confront.
