The Census Bureau reported Thursday that federal "domestic spending increased a record 16 percent, to $3.2 trillion, in 2009 … largely because of a boost in aid to the unemployed and the huge economic stimulus package enacted to rescue the sinking economy," The Washington Post reports.

"Overall, the largest chunk of federal spending -- about 46 percent of the $3.2 trillion -- went to Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, entitlement programs that are projected to swell as the population ages. ... Federal grants to states, local governments, nonprofit groups and other organizations accounted for nearly one-quarter -- $744 billion -- of federal outlays. The majority of that amount was funneled through the Department of Health and Human Services. HHS along with the departments of Education and Transportation accounted for nearly 80 percent of federal grant spending in 2009" (Fletcher and Morello, 9/1).