![]() ![]() Fortunately, they have a strong team at CBO. When I ran OMB in the first Clinton administration, we often thought the CBO did not appreciate how great our proposals were, especially the ill-fated Clinton health plan, which CBO thought would have a much more negative impact on the budget than we alleged.Ĭongress is an independent branch of government that needs its own team of neutral experts before they decide on legislation. All presidents passionately favor their own proposals and are optimistic about what they will cost and how much good they will do. The President’s press secretary said that “he would sooner accept an analysis from the Office of Management and Budget, whose director was appointed by President Donald Trump” than CBO’s estimates. Recently, some members of Congress and the Administration have questioned the need for CBO estimates. Undermining the credibility of CBO when policymakers need it most harms not only Congress’ ability to do its job, but also the long-run effectiveness of both political parties. It is a valuable resource for Congress that both parties need. It has a long-established tradition of able leadership and highly qualified, hard-working staff. ![]() Given the Constitutional separation of executive and legislation powers, both offices are needed.įor 42 years, CBO has earned congressional and public respect by providing neutral, nonpartisan estimates of costs and effects of pending legislation, including analyses of alternative policy options. CBO serves the Congress OMB serves the President. I had the privilege of serving as the first director of the CBO and later as the director of the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The new law strengthened the congressional budget process by creating two new budget committees and a nonpartisan, independent Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to provide estimates and budget analysis to both the House and the Senate, Democrats, Republicans and Independents. Outrage at executive overreach prompted Congress to pass the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Act of 1974 which reestablished Congress as an equal partner with the executive branch in deciding the country’s fiscal and legislative policies. To get through even part of this agenda and do its job under the Constitution, Congress needs all the help it can get from the team of neutral experts it created for just this purpose at the Congressional Budget Office.ĬBO was part of Congress’s response to the Constitutional crisis created by President Nixon when he impounded (refused to spend) funds that had been appropriated by Congress and signed by him. There will be serious disputes about the cost of many proposals and what their effects are likely to be. There are deep divisions within the president’s own party over many of his proposals, and Republicans will need (and should want) Democratic help to pass many of them. So are tax reform and spending bills that reflect campaign promises without escalating future debt. ![]() Health care is “complicated,” as President Trump discovered. Congress faces a daunting legislative agenda. ![]()
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