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.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/article_listing/public/managed/media-images2022-02/Capitol_Dome_60.jpg.webp?itok=Hpst9PqW)
‘Line’ Items: Columbo Edition
Where Is Our Columbo? – Peter Falk, the award-winning actor best known for playing the rumpled, yet wily, Lt. Columbo, died on Thursday. Falk, who was...
![](/sites/default/files/styles/article_listing/public/managed/media-images2022-02/Money_stacks_13.jpg.webp?itok=-IyCDFfj)
The Economic Effects of High Debt
Continuing our analysis of CBO's Long-Term Outlook, we looked yesterday at the policy assumptions under CBO's two budget paths and at spending and...
![](/sites/default/files/styles/article_listing/public/managed/media-images2022-02/derek-thompsons__0.png.webp?itok=fbDqw-wK)
A Solution for the Debt Ceiling Debate?
Despite House Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s (R-VA) decision yesterday to withdraw from the Biden-led negotiations to avoid default, there is still...
![](/sites/default/files/styles/article_listing/public/managed/media-images2022-02/cbo_38.jpg.webp?itok=UHccDaYK)
Spending and Revenue in the Long Term Outlook
Spending and revenues in the long-term outlook is always an interesting topic to discuss. Just like with debt, you find words and phrases like...
![](/themes/custom/crfb/img/featuredefault.png)
Health Care Versus Aging
As we explained in our recent analysis of CBO's Long-Term Budget Outlook, the debt is on an unsustainable path. Only a decade from now, under their...
![](/sites/default/files/styles/article_listing/public/managed/media-images2022-02/elmendorfd_portrait.jpeg.webp?itok=wTflu8IA)
CBO's Elmendorf to Testify Before House Budget Committee at 10am Today
At 10am today, CBO director Doug Elmendorf will testify before the House Budget Committee on CBO's latest Long-Term Budget Outlook, released yesterday...
![](/sites/default/files/styles/article_listing/public/managed/media-images2022-02/growth_4.jpg.webp?itok=gBKAcwKO)
The Differences Between the Two Baselines
With the release of CBO's Long-Term Outlook, we thought it would be useful to break down the assumptions that the Extended-Baseline and the...
![](/sites/default/files/styles/article_listing/public/managed/media-images2022-02/cbo_35.jpg.webp?itok=pzP2f1Ti)
The CBO Long Term Outlook Is Here
Update: Our paper on CBO's Long Term Outlook has been released. CBO has just released its 2011 Long Term Outlook, detailing spending, revenue, and...
![](/sites/default/files/styles/article_listing/public/managed/media-images2022-02/health_8.jpg.webp?itok=HHzLOQL4)
Yes, Fix the SGR, But Pay for It Too
The Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR), the formula which sets provider payments for physcians under Medicare and which was originally enacted in 1997...
![](/sites/default/files/styles/article_listing/public/managed/media-images2022-02/-Leon_Panetta_official_portrait.jpg.webp?itok=04BsR_CT)
Leon Panetta Confirmed By the Senate
Today, the Senate confirmed former CIA Director (and former CRFB Co-Chair!) Leon Panetta by a unanimous vote to become our new Secretary of Defense...
![](/sites/default/files/styles/article_listing/public/managed/media-images2022-02/dollar_puzzle_1.jpeg.webp?itok=U8RTlecu)
CRFB Outlines Dos and Don'ts for Budget Negotiations
This afternoon, CRFB released a paper that lays out the dos and don'ts for the Biden group negotiations. We provide a list of goals to accomplish and...
![](/sites/default/files/styles/article_listing/public/managed/media-images2022-02/elmendorf2_3.jpg.webp?itok=7nxXeb_5)
Elmendorf to NY Fed: 'We Can't Repeat the Past'
Recently, CBO Director Doug Elmendorf spoke to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York about current policies and how they affect the nation's fiscal...