Fact Check: The Congressional Budget Office provides nonpartisan fiscal estimates in the U.S.

Fact Check: "The Congressional Budget Office provides nonpartisan fiscal estimates in the U.S."

What We Know

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) is a federal agency established by the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. Its primary role is to provide objective, nonpartisan analysis to support the Congressional budget process. According to the CBO, it conducts its work with strict adherence to impartiality and objectivity, hiring employees based solely on professional competence without regard to political affiliation (CBO Overview).

The CBO is responsible for producing cost estimates for nearly all bills reported by Congressional committees, which includes analyzing the budgetary effects of proposed legislation (Cost Estimates). This process is designed to ensure that lawmakers have access to unbiased fiscal information when making budgetary decisions.

Analysis

The claim that the CBO provides nonpartisan fiscal estimates is supported by the agency's mission and operational guidelines. The CBO explicitly states its commitment to nonpartisanship in its publications, asserting that it conducts objective analysis and provides information that is free from political influence (CBO Overview).

However, the CBO has faced criticism from various political factions, particularly when its estimates do not align with their fiscal policies or expectations. For instance, following the passage of the 2017 tax bill, some critics argued that the CBO underestimated revenue projections by approximately $1.5 trillion, which they claimed undermined the agency's credibility (NPR). Despite these criticisms, the CBO's framework and operational protocols are designed to maintain its nonpartisan stance.

The reliability of the CBO's estimates is generally considered high among economists and policymakers, as the agency utilizes rigorous methodologies and transparent processes in its analyses (Publications & Cost Estimates). This is further supported by the fact that the CBO's reports are often used as benchmarks for evaluating the fiscal implications of legislation.

Conclusion

The claim that "The Congressional Budget Office provides nonpartisan fiscal estimates in the U.S." is True. The CBO's established role as a nonpartisan agency, its commitment to objectivity, and its rigorous analytical processes substantiate this assertion. While it faces political scrutiny and criticism, its foundational principles and operational practices are aimed at ensuring impartiality in fiscal analysis.

Fact Check: The Congressional Budget Office provides nonpartisan fiscal estimates in the U.S.