Topic: Maya MacGuineas - CSMonitor.com

Paul Ryan and Chris Van Hollen: the fiscal bellwethers

The two House members – longtime ideological foes – will play a central role in bringing their respective party members along if Congress is ever to cut a grand fiscal deal.

‘Grand bargain’ on deficit reduction: RIP?

Five reasons America won't fall off the 'fiscal cliff'

Great expectations for US economy: Are Obama, Romney too optimistic?

Fix the Debt: CEOs launch drive for 'grand bargain.' Is Washington listening?

Mitt Romney pitches smaller government: Is his target realistic?

Decoder Wire Fiscal zombie apocalypse in Washington? Obama and Congress on taxes. (+video)

Six days left: Slowly, for super committee, failure is becoming an option

From jobs plan to tax cuts, can deficit ‘super committee’ handle mission creep?

Can 'super committee' play fair as it tries to control national debt?

How Congress can cap tax breaks

'Gang of Six' plan hailed as debt-ceiling breakthrough. What's in it?

Debt ceiling: If $4 trillion 'grand bargain' fails, is America in trouble?

GOP quandary: Is a vote to eliminate tax breaks actually a tax hike?

Reform Social Security now? Demographics of electorate say yes.

US credit rating: Congress has many debt plans, but will it heed warning?

Why the budget deficit is so hard for Congress to shrink

Cockeyed optimists and the federal budget

Obama's State of the Union long on US greatness, short on austerity

Deficit reduction: Why it may not be dead despite the costly tax cut deal

Will Obama take lead on national debt and budget deficit?

To reduce national debt, 'shared sacrifice' necessary, deficit chairs say

Post election, Congress can't ignore the deficit

Like France, will US soon move to boost retirement age?

America's Job No. 1: A better employment rate