Cost Estimates

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CBO is required to produce a cost estimate for nearly every bill approved by a full committee of the House of Representatives or the Senate. Estimates include statements concerning intergovernmental and private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.

Cost estimates are advisory only; they can, but need not, be used to enforce budgetary rules or targets. CBO does not enforce budgetary rules; the Budget Committees do.