Budget 2027

The Pentagon is asking for $30.3 million over five years to develop an AI-powered lie detection system that can analyze body language remotely, without physical contact. The program, called Polygraph Next, is included in the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency's 2027 budget request. Commenters are raising concerns about the privacy implications and scientific reliability of automated deception detection, noting that traditional polygraph accuracy is already contested.

The government is reportedly considering significant childcare tax relief as part of Budget 2027. The measure would ease costs for families, though details such as the size of the relief and eligibility remain unclear. The proposal has drawn attention as childcare affordability continues to be a pressing concern for working parents.

Analysts project that the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment for 2027 is trending downward, which could mean a smaller benefits increase for retirees than recent years have delivered. Lower inflation expectations are driving the shift, and beneficiaries are watching closely because the COLA directly affects monthly checks and retirement budgets.