Taxpayers for Common Sense

America's public lands and natural resources belong to taxpayers and must be managed responsibly. Taxpayers lose when the federal government leases our federal lands at rock-bottom prices to private companies that develop oil & gas for private profit. taxpayer.net/by-the-numbers…

As the owners of these valuable natural resources, taxpayers deserve nothing less than a fair market return from the development of federally owned coal. But shortcomings in the federal coal program have shortchanged taxpayers for decades. taxpayer.net/energy-natural…

Federal Crop Insurance is projected to cost taxpayers more than $13 billion annually over the next decade. High subsidy levels shift economic risk from producers to taxpayers, while failing to reward producers that invest in risk mitigation. taxpayer.net/agriculture/fe…

Transportation and processing are a cost of doing business. Allowing companies to deduct these well known and expected costs before being charged a royalty for oil & gas development on public lands is yet another subsidy to a highly profitable industry. taxpayer.net/energy-natural…

Prescribed fire can cost as little as $11 an acre—compared to $2,000 or more for mechanical thinning. It’s not just cheaper; it’s often more effective. But outdated policies, poor incentives, and regulatory barriers keep this tool on the sidelines. taxpayer.net/disaster/fire-…

As we mark the 23rd anniversary of the start of the Iraq War, we remember the costs: thousands of servicemember lives, hundreds of thousands of Iraqi lives, and trillions of taxpayer dollars. As a new war with Iran escalates, we hope that history will not repeat itself.

The Pentagon has more than enough money & funding flexibility. Supplemental war funding won't protect servicemembers, but it would be used to argue that Congress authorized the war, when it in fact hasn't. Congress must reject supplemental war funding. taxpayer.net/national-secur…

Before operators are charged a royalty for oil & gas developed on public lands, they are eligible for transportation & processing allowances - subsidies that lower the amount of $$ taxpayers are paid, instead lining industry's pockets. taxpayer.net/energy-natural…

Congress gave the Pentagon an 18% funding boost in FY26 appropriations, including a $152 billion slush fund. Congress should reject supplemental funding for the unauthorized war with Iran. taxpayer.net/national-secur…

Instead of a pot of gold taxpayers got a $39 trillion debt for St. Patrick’s Day. Total public debt crossed the $39,000,000,000,000 threshold March 17th. It crossed $38T October 23rd. We can’t afford to keep this up. fiscaldata.treasury.gov/datasets/debt-…

In the early days of the Iraq War, TCS warned that it would last longer & cost more than the administration projected, and it did. The war lasted years and cost over $2 trillion. As this conflict unfolds, we fear history may repeat itself. taxpayer.net/national-secur…

Last week the Dept. of Interior leased 500 acres of public land in Eastern States for oil & gas development at the below-market royalty rate of 12.5%, less than what is typically charged on state & private lands, costing taxpayers million in lost $$$ taxpayer.net/by-the-numbers…

Congressional war powers are on death's door. Now, when wars begin, Congress is left reacting after the fact. That’s not what the Constitution envisions. The power of the purse can help Congress reclaim its war authority. taxpayer.net/national-secur…

In exchange for the right to develop & profit from taxpayer owned oil & gas, operators are required to pay a royalty. But outdated policies allow companies to first deduct well known & expected costs - another subsidy for industry at taxpayers' expense. taxpayer.net/energy-natural…

Three weeks of war on Iran will cost taxpayers tens of billions, at least. Long-term costs could be far higher. As @GabeRMurphy told @TheIntercept, "Taxpayers deserve answers on the precise costs & timeline for this war. ‘Indefinitely’ isn’t an answer." theintercept.com/2026/03/17/tru…

When presidents initiate conflicts w/out authorization, using the War Powers Act to reverse course can require a 2/3 majority to override a veto. The power of the purse is easier to wield. Congress should use it. taxpayer.net/national-secur…

Our Quote of the Week for the week of March 16 comes from House Ways and Means Committee Chair Jason Smith. Our Quote of the Week is released with our Weekly Wastebasket newsletter. Sign up to receive our Wastebasket here: taxpayer.net/wastebasket/

The federal government leases public land containing taxpayer-owned coal to private companies who extract & sell the coal for profit. Every acre leased under current, outdated terms continues to shortchange taxpayers. taxpayer.net/energy-natural…

DEBTrimental: This week’s total federal debt clock:

Congress should oppose supplemental Iran war funding. The Pentagon has plenty of money. If Congress won't vote to authorize this war, it shouldn't vote to spend more taxpayer dollars on it. taxpayer.net/national-secur…