Testimony on CBO’s Appropriation Request for Fiscal Year 2022
Report
CBO Director Phillip Swagel testifies on CBO’s appropriation request for fiscal year 2022 before the Senate Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch.
CBO is asking for appropriations of $61 million for fiscal year 2022. That amount represents an increase of $3.7 million, or 6.4 percent, from the $57.3 million provided to CBO for 2021. Of the total amount, nearly 91 percent would be used for personnel costs.
The proposed budget reflects strong interest from Congressional leadership, committees, and Members in CBO’s estimates, analysis, and technical assistance—interest that will strain the agency’s resources in many areas. The need to rapidly assess the economic effects of the 2020–2021 coronavirus pandemic and the impact of major pieces of related legislation has added to the normal heavy workload, and significant legislative initiatives prompted by the new Administration will require additional resources. CBO is also working to improve its capability to analyze the effects of legislation on people in different demographic and income groups. The budgetary increase that CBO is requesting would enable the agency to remain responsive to Congressional needs by fully funding the staffing increase that it is undertaking this year and by providing for four new staff members to deliver more analysis of infrastructure, energy, and climate-change issues—areas in which CBO anticipates additional legislative activity.
