Fact Check: The Congressional Budget Office provides nonpartisan budgetary analysis for Congress.

Fact Check: "The Congressional Budget Office provides nonpartisan budgetary analysis for Congress."

What We Know

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) was established by the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to provide objective, nonpartisan information to support the Congressional budget process. The CBO's primary role is to assist Congress in making informed budgetary and economic policy decisions, offering an alternative to the information provided by the Office of Management and Budget and other executive branch agencies (CBO Overview, CBO Introduction).

The CBO is mandated to conduct impartial analysis and does not make policy recommendations. It hires employees based solely on professional competence, without regard to political affiliation (CBO Overview, CBO Introduction). Each year, the agency fulfills thousands of requests for technical assistance and produces hundreds of cost estimates for proposed legislation (CBO Overview).

Analysis

The claim that the CBO provides nonpartisan budgetary analysis for Congress is supported by multiple reliable sources. The CBO's mission is explicitly stated as providing "objective, nonpartisan information" to aid in the Congressional budget process (CBO Overview, CBO Introduction). This is further corroborated by the CBO's commitment to impartiality and its hiring practices, which emphasize professional competence over political affiliation (CBO Overview, CBO Introduction).

The CBO's role as a nonpartisan entity is crucial, especially given the highly politicized nature of budgetary discussions in Congress. By providing independent analysis, the CBO helps ensure that lawmakers have access to unbiased information, which is essential for informed decision-making (CBO Overview, CBO Introduction).

Additionally, the CBO's reports and analyses are widely utilized by both political parties, which further underscores its reputation as a nonpartisan organization. The agency's work is critical in evaluating the budgetary effects of proposed legislation, thereby playing a vital role in the legislative process (CBO Overview, CBO Introduction).

Conclusion

The claim that "The Congressional Budget Office provides nonpartisan budgetary analysis for Congress" is True. The CBO's establishment, mission, and operational practices are all aligned with the provision of objective and impartial analysis to support Congressional budgetary decisions. Its nonpartisan nature is not only a foundational principle but also a practical necessity for effective governance.

Fact Check: The Congressional Budget Office provides nonpartisan budgetary analysis for Congress.