USA.gov Blog

Image description: A rainbow descends into the Great Basin after a spring storm. The Great Basin is the largest terminal basin in the U.S., located in Utah, Nevada, Idaho, and Oregon.
Photo by Larry Crist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Mountain-Prairie Region.

Image description: A rainbow descends into the Great Basin after a spring storm. The Great Basin is the largest terminal basin in the U.S., located in Utah, Nevada, Idaho, and Oregon.

Photo by Larry Crist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Mountain-Prairie Region.

Track Fundraising and Spending in Federal Elections

Do you ever wonder how much money candidates spend to run in federal elections in the United States or where the money comes from?

The Federal Election Commission’s Campaign Finance Disclosure Portal provides access to the campaign finance data that candidates and their supporters must share by law. Use maps, charts, and other tools to learn about donations and expenditures in the Presidential and Congressional races.

For example, you can

Meningitis is a swelling of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.

Some symptoms of meningitis are:

  • New or worsening headache
  • Stiff Neck
  • Fever
  • Slurred Speech

Learn more about the current outbreak from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Image description: Kids.gov explains the path to the White House with this easy to understand poster. Learn more about the process for electing the president.

Image description: Kids.gov explains the path to the White House with this easy to understand poster. Learn more about the process for electing the president.

Buying U.S. Savings Bonds as a Gift

Many people like to buy U.S. Savings Bonds as gifts for loved ones. However, you can no longer buy Savings Bonds on paper from your bank. As a cost saving measure, these bonds must now be both purchased and given electronically. During the process, you get the chance to print out a certificate to physically give the recipient.

This video presentation walks you through the details of buying U.S. Savings Bonds as a gift. Below are some of the basics about the process.

  1. You must create an account with the website TreasuryDirect. TreasuryDirect was created by the U.S. Treasury as a place to buy and redeem U.S. securities. To create this account, you will need to have on hand:
    • Your Tax ID Number (SSN or EIN)
    • Your e-mail address
    • Your bank account and routing numbers
  2. You will need some information about the recipient of the gift:
    • His or her full name
    • His or her Tax Identification Number (SSN or EIN)
  3. In order to receive your gift, the recipient will need to have their own TreasuryDirect account. If the recipient is under 18, a parent will need to create a Minor account for the child.
  4. Once your recipient has an account, ask for their account number. You will use this number in TreasuryDirect to send the gift to his or her account.
  5. You can also fill out and print a gift certificate to mail or present.