The firing of Shirley Sherrod, controversy about alleged voter intimidation by the New Black Panther party, and, for some, the Journolist controversy are the stories of the week. And they’re important stories. But maybe they shouldn’t capture all of our attention.

While we watch charge and counter-charge about race or journalism, the federal government is making its spending plans for next year.

Appropriations bills—the annual bills that decide where the federal government will spend its money—are starting to move through Congress. Thousands of dollars in spending per U.S. family is being allocated right now.

Have your conversation about race and journalism, but you might consider keeping a watch on your wallet at the same time.

We wrote here and here about the first of the bills coming out. Now there are enough of them to make a chart worthwhile. So we’ve put one below!

As you can see, the Senate is ahead of the House, which has only produced a bill to fund Military/Veterans spending. The Senate bills include: Agriculture ($1,210 per U.S. family), Commerce/Justice/Science ($670), Energy & Water ($440), Homeland Security ($460), and Military/Veterans ($1,450).

The next question is: What can you do?

Clicking on a link below will take you to the page for that bill. From there, click “Read the Bill” in the “Learn More” box. You can review where each and every dollar goes.

Whether you pick through the spending or not, you can contact your Member of Congress and Senators to let them know whether you think the spending is too low or too high. (Here’s where to find out who they are: House – Senate)

Call the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to be connected to his or her office. Pass along your views—be polite!—and make a note of it so you can follow up later in the process.

* Cost per average-sized U.S. family; amounts are approximate; changes in interest rates alter net present value calculation