The following list represents government agencies integral to the safety, security, and prosperity of America, agencies that have been snubbed funding wise, and warrant far greater spending resources to pursue their respective mission statements.
5. Department of Energy (DOE)
According to Performance.gov, a government run website documenting agency information, the DOE is charged with, “advancing the energy, environmental, and nuclear security of the United States” while pursuing research, development and oversight of new innovations in the energy world. Despite the gargantuan, multi-billion dollar task of overseeing our nation’s energy resources, the DOE received a measly $165.2 million in funding. According to a DOE Budget Request, the department “would remain significantly underfunded” in their oversight efforts, falling an estimated $297.9 million short.
4. Department of Transportation (DOT)
Similar to the DOE, the DOT oversees national transportation, from urban to rural areas. Despite their magnum budget of over $200 billion, there’s still a reported backlog of billions of dollars worth of infrastructure issues. According to the Institute of Transportation & Development Policy, though the DOT posits some of the nation’s highest expenditure, many state and local infrastructures remain “Chronically underfunded.”
3. Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB)
Despite serving as the pinnacle resource for civil liberties, the PCLOB only has a budget of about $8 million. The PCLOB itself affirms that they’re a few million short; at minimum, the board needs at least $11.5 million for full operation conditions. Given recent concerns regarding both corporate and federal overreach in privacy Google’s data lawsuits and federal extensions of power under the PATRIOT Act—the agency dedicated to protecting the individual’s right to privacy should be more than minimally functional. Yet, at their level of funding, the board can’t even perform at basic levels.
2. U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH)
To be fair, the USICH is an oversight agency, utilizing sub agencies and affiliates to tackle issues. Despite this, their reported budget is literally $0. Considering the prevalence of homelessness in America, perhaps the council should receive some base funding, regardless of subsidiaries.
1. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Since the 16th amendment’s introduction nearly 100 years ago, America’s largest source of revenue has remained taxation. Considering our reliance on taxes, you’d think the tax department would be our best funded agency. It’s not. In 2024, the IRS’ budget is only $12.3 billion, nearly a billion short of requested funding (Department of the Treasury). The IRS serves as both the veins and arteries of the US’ finances; it’s integral for the IRS to remain more than well funded, yet the agency currently suffers, like many other agencies, criminal underfunding.