§012.01 CBO Reports

Budget Counsel Reference Directory

Reports of the Congressional Budget Office

Summary

The Congressional Budget Office publishes a variety of reports on topics related, not surprisingly, to the budget process. These reports are ostensibly to advise and serve the U.S. Congress. In reality they have taken on an importance far greater than as a support function to Congress, and can influence policy and public opinion since they are justifiably seen as objective analysis of important issues.

Certain reports are required under the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974, and some by other laws. Some are recurring, such as the annual baseline reports, and others are for a single purpose mandated by law. Usually an introductory or transmittal letter will advise as to the nature of a given report.

Policy Option Reports – CBO produces numerous reports with specific options or broad approaches for changing federal tax and spending policies.

CBO periodically publishes a reference volume, often referred to as “Budget Options,” that includes dozens of policy options to reduce federal budget deficits.

CBO also prepares analytic reports that examine specific federal programs, aspects of the tax code, and budgetary and economic challenges. A list of recent reports, organized by broad issue area, is given below.

Major Recurring Reports

Under the law, CBO must prepare certain reports which are published each year. The Office has listed many of it reports, and many are shown here, in particular those published since 2000.