Blog
Welcome to our blog – The Bottom Line, where you’ll find up-to-date commentary and analysis on the most important news in the fiscal world. Below is a list of our blog posts.
Robert Greenstein Answers Critics on Chained CPI
The chained CPI has been receiving much attention lately after being included in the latest offers from both the GOP and White House. Some critics of...
Fitch Warns of Possible Downgrade as We Approach the Fiscal Cliff
With time running out for a deal, the U.S. credit rating may be in jeopardy if lawmakers don't reach a compromise to replace the fiscal cliff. Fitch...
CRFB Releases Revenue and Health Care Options
The recent offers from the White House and Republican House leadership have shown that both parties appear to be committed to finding a compromise...
Once Again, the Chained CPI Is Not Regressive
After being included in both the most recent White House and Republican offers, the "chained CPI" has been front and center as a potential piece of...
Fiscal Cliff Watch: White House and GOP Make Counteroffers
With the fiscal cliff only two weeks away and the upcoming holiday season, negotiations for replacing the fiscal cliff with a sensible deficit...
MY VIEW: Alice Rivlin December 2012
Former CBO Director and CRFB Board Member cautioned political leaders in a op-ed in The Hill, that merely finding just enough savings to repeal the...
Line Items: Back-Up Edition
Monday Morning Quarterbacking – The Washington Redskins stayed in playoff contention Sunday with back-up quarterback Kirk Cousins leading the team to...
Herger's Proposal to Reform Medicare
Reducing federal health spending will play an important role in any long term deficit reduction plan debated over the next year. As lawmakers look to...
Coburn Takes a Look at Tax Expenditures
Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) has released a new list of ten wasteful tax expenditures, totaling $130 billion over the next ten years. Whether it is tax...
The Chained CPI Explained
One option on the table that has great potential to be included in a final deal is the chained CPI. As we explain in our updated paper on the chained...
Two House Representatives Support a Two-Part Process
In a bipartisan op-ed in the Chicago Tribune, Reps. Robert Dold (R-IL) and Daniel Lupinski (D-IL) endorse a two-part process that avoids the fiscal...
Polling Shows Americans Want a Deal
With the fiscal cliff inching closer and still no clear deal in sight, a new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll finds the American public overwelmingly...