Lawmakers created the Congressional Budget Oce to help the Congress play a stronger role in budget
matters. Established under the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, CBO provides objective, nonpartisan
information to support the budget process and to help the Congress make eective budget and economic
policy. In carrying out that mission, the agency oers an alternative to the information provided by the
Oce of Management and Budget and other agencies in the executive branch.
The Congress sets CBO’s priorities. The agency’s chief responsibility under the Budget Act is to help
the House and Senate Budget Committees with the matters under their jurisdiction. CBO also supports
other Congressional committees—particularly, Appropriations, Finance, and Ways and Means—and the
Congressional leadership.
Each year, the agency’s economists and budget analysts fulfill thousands of requests for technical assis-
tance, produce hundreds of cost estimates for proposed legislation, and prepare dozens of reports and
other materials on a variety of topics. CBO conducts objective, impartial analysis and hires employees
without regard to political aliation. The agency does not make policy recommendations. Most of CBO’s
work is available to the Congress and the public on the agency’s website, www.cbo.gov, as is this docu-
ment and other information about CBO.
An Introduction to the
Congressional Budget Oce
JANUARY | 2024
©Andrea Izzotti/Shutterstock.com
Congressional Budget Oce
Ford House Oce Building
Second and DStreets, SW
Washington, DC 20515-6925
www.cbo.gov | @uscbo
What Kind of Information Does CBO Provide? 2
How Does CBO Carry Out Its Work? 6
How Does CBO Make Its Work Available? 7
How Does CBO Make Its Work Transparent? 9
How Does CBO Ensure That Its Analyses Are Objective? 10
How Is CBO Structured and Staed? 11
What Is the Best Way to Contact CBO? 12
