Statement on CBO’s Budget and Economic Outlook
Statement on CBO’s Budget and Economic Outlook
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 update:
“As a new president and Congress take office, one thing hasn’t changed: our nation’s fiscal outlook remains unsustainable. Now is the time to tackle this long-standing issue.
“In today’s report, CBO projects that deficits will reach $1 trillion by 2023 and total $9.4 trillion over the next ten years. As our debt grows, so too do our borrowing costs — crowding out important investments in our economic future. Interest alone is projected to total $5.2 trillion in the next ten years, according to CBO’s latest projection.
“The long-term imbalance between revenues and spending must be taken into account as lawmakers look to address major policy areas, including healthcare and tax reform. These reforms should improve our fiscal outlook in the decades ahead, by stabilizing our debt as a share of the economy.”
For more information, read our analysis of the CBO report.
Further Reading
How Much Do We Spend on the Federal Workforce?
Here, we examine the federal government’s expenditure on its workforce, the evolution of its size over time, and the opportunities for budget savings.
Rising National Debt Increases Costs for American Families and Businesses
Federal fiscal policy is a significant but often overlooked factor in the affordability of vehicles, homes, and small business loans.
Payroll Taxes: What Are They and What Do They Fund?
Payroll taxes fund social insurance programs including Social Security and Medicare and are the second-largest source of revenues for the federal government.