Statement on CBO’s Budget & Economic Outlook Summary

NEW YORK — Michael A. Peterson, President and CEO of the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, commented today on the Congressional Budget Office’s Budget and Economic Outlook summary:
“Today’s CBO report highlights the fact that our budget outlook has worsened considerably since last year. Unfortunately, we remain on a dangerous debt path, which threatens our future economy.
“CBO indicates that the positive era of declining deficits since the recession has come to an unfortunate end. The 2016 deficit will climb to $544 billion — $105 billion more than last year. By 2022, annual deficits will once again exceed the trillion mark — reaching $1.4 trillion in 2026 and totaling $9.4 trillion over the next 10 years. Interest costs alone will total $5.8 trillion over the next 10 years.
“CBO makes clear that America’s fiscal outlook over the long term remains unsustainable, and threatens our economy. The 2016 election is an important opportunity for a national conversation, as voters across the country are calling on candidates to put forward their plans to secure America’s fiscal and economic future.”
Further Reading
What Are Excise Taxes and How Do They Affect the Federal Budget?
Excise taxes are levied on specific goods or services. The largest excise taxes on the federal level are related to highways, aviation, tobacco, and alcohol.
The United States Spends More on Defense than the Next 6 Countries Combined
Defense spending by the United States accounted for nearly 40 percent of military expenditures by countries around the world.
Budget Basics: What Is the Earned Income Tax Credit?
The earned income tax credit (EITC) is a measure administered through the tax code to address poverty.