CBO produces many reports that discuss options for changes in spending and taxes. For each Congress, CBO produces a report that brings together a wide range of options for reducing the deficit. The options are derived from many sources and, in keeping with CBO’s mandate to provide objective analysis without making recommendations, each option includes arguments for and against it.
Budget Options
featured work
Choices for Deficit Reduction: An UpdateDec 2013 - Federal debt is projected to rise significantly over the long term. What policy changes could reduce future deficits and thus lower the trajectory of federal debt? What criteria might be used to evaluate those policy changes?
Options for Reducing the Deficit: 2014 to 2023Nov 2013 - CBO periodically issues a compendium of options—this installment presents more than 100—to inform lawmakers about the budgetary effects of ways to reduce the deficit.
Choices for Deficit ReductionNov 2012 - Putting the federal budget on a more sustainable path is likely to require a combination of policies, many of which may stand in stark contrast to policies now in place.
Reducing the Deficit: Spending and Revenue OptionsMar 2011 - CBO regularly issues a compendium of budget options to help inform federal lawmakers about the implications of possible policy choices. This volume presents more than 100 options for altering federal spending and revenues.
Social Security Policy OptionsJul 2010 - Annual spending on Social Security payments will regularly exceed the program's tax revenues starting in 2016, if current laws remain in place. This study examines 30 options for policymakers in providing long-term financial stability for Social Security.
latest work
Presentation on Federal Health Care Spending at Williams College
blog postFebruary 28, 2014Federal Health Care Spending: Why Is It Growing? What Could Be Done About It?
presentationFebruary 27, 2014Federal Revenues Are Projected to Increase Significantly Over the Next Two Years and Remain Steady as a Share of GDP Thereafter
blog postFebruary 25, 2014Testimony on the Budget and Economic Outlook: 2014 to 2024
reportFebruary 11, 2014Testimony on the Budget and Economic Outlook: 2014 to 2024
reportFebruary 5, 2014CBO’s Analysis of Health Care Policy
presentationJanuary 29, 2014H.R. 3345, SUSPEND Act
cost estimateJanuary 17, 2014Choices for Deficit Reduction: An Update
reportDecember 20, 2013
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