CBO’s budget projections under current law—known as baseline projections—give the Congress a benchmark against which to measure the effects of proposed changes spending and taxes. The projections show what would happen to the federal budget if current laws remained in place, that is if no new laws affecting spending and taxes were enacted during the projection period. In addition, the agency regularly shows the effects of adopting alternative policies that have been discussed by the Congress, so that the impact of those alternative policies is clear. CBO also makes long-term budget projections.
Budget Projections
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Updated Budget Projections: Fiscal Years 2013 to 2023May 2013 - A robust increase in revenues projected over the next few years will help shrink deficits through 2015. But deficits are projected to rise later in the decade, partly because of pressures of an aging population and rising health care costs.
The Budget and Economic Outlook: Fiscal Years 2013 to 2023Feb 2013 - Under current law, federal debt will stay at historically high levels relative to the economy, CBO projects. Economic growth will be slow in 2013 but pick up thereafter. Even so, the unemployment rate will be above 7.5 percent through 2014.
Long-Term Budget OutlookJun 2012 - The explosive path of federal debt under the fiscal scenario that many budget analysts believe is more representative of fiscal policies that are now or have recently been in effect underscores the need for large policy changes to put the federal government on a sustainable course.
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How CBO Prepares Long-Term Projections of Federal Spending for Social Security and Major Health Care Programs
presentationMay 21, 2013Social Security Trust Fund—May 2013 Baseline
data or technical informationMay 14, 2013Social Security Old-Age and Survivors Insurance—May 2013 Baseline
data or technical informationMay 14, 2013Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation—May 2013 Baseline
data or technical informationMay 14, 2013Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program—May 2013 Baseline
data or technical informationMay 14, 2013Supplemental Security Income—May 2013 Baseline
data or technical informationMay 14, 2013Temporary Assistance for Needy Families—May 2013 Baseline
data or technical informationMay 14, 2013Unemployment Compensation—May 2013 Baseline
data or technical informationMay 14, 2013
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