CBO Operations

CBO describes how it will operate if there is a government shutdown.

In a statement, CBO Director Phillip Swagel thanked Speaker McCarthy and President pro tempore Murray for appointing him to a second term and said he is excited to continue the important work that he has been part of these past four years.

In this report, the latest in a quarterly series, CBO highlights its recent publications and summarizes its work in progress.

CBO's graphics guide contains examples of the wide variety of graphics that have been produced for publications at the agency. It also includes examples of how various techniques can be applied to graphics to help convey their message.

The Congressional Budget Act of 1974 requires CBO to prepare estimates of the cost of legislation at certain points in the legislative process. This document provides answers to questions about how CBO prepares those cost estimates.

The Congressional Budget Act of 1974 requires CBO to produce an annual report on federal spending, revenues, and deficits or surpluses. This document provides answers to questions about how CBO prepares those baseline budget projections.

In this report, the latest in a quarterly series, CBO highlights its recent publications and summarizes its work in progress.

CBO has again been recognized by the Partnership for Public Service as one of the Best Places to Work in the Federal Government. CBO placed No. 1 in the small-agency category in the latest Best Places to Work ranking, which is for 2022.

CBO's transparency efforts are intended to promote a thorough understanding of its work, help people gauge how estimates might change if policies or circumstances differed, and enhance the credibility of its analyses and processes.

CBO Director Phillip Swagel describes the agency's role in supporting Congress, lists what’s forthcoming from CBO, highlights the latest budget options volumes and a revamped cost estimates page, and emphasizes a commitment to transparency.

Learn more about CBO, its work, and its processes in an introduction to the agency that is typically updated at the start of each Congress.

CBO’s Director, Phillip Swagel, provided a written statement regarding CBO’s appropriation request for fiscal year 2023 to the Senate Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch.

CBO's transparency efforts are intended to promote a thorough understanding of its work, help people gauge how estimates might change if policies or circumstances differed, and enhance the credibility of its analyses and processes.

CBO was recognized by the Partnership for Public Service as one of the best places to work in the federal government. CBO ranked first among 29 agencies in the small-agency category.

The House Committee on Appropriations requested information about CBO's access to data from federal agencies, including data sources and data sets. This report provides that information.

CBO explains some of the guidelines it follows when providing information to the Congress about the budgetary effects of proposed legislation.

On such an occasion, it is natural to look back on this institution’s history and how it has supported the Congress over the decades. And as CBO’s 10th Director, I am excited to have the opportunity to be a steward for its growth as it becomes still more responsive to the needs of the Congress.

CBO is submitting this report to the Committee on House Administration of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate in accordance with section 509 of the CAA Reform Act.

CBO is required to provide the Congress an annual report on spending, revenues, and deficits with subsequent revisions to that report. Here, CBO provides answers to questions about how it prepares its baseline projections for the budget.

The Congressional Budget Act of 1974 requires CBO to prepare cost estimates for legislation at certain points in the legislative process. This report provides answers to frequently asked questions about how CBO prepares those estimates.