How Economists Could Help Inform Economic and Budget Analysis Used by the US Congress

The U.S. Congress uses economic and budgetary projections, cost estimates for proposed legislation, and other analyses provided by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) as part of its legislative process. The CBO makes assessments based on an understanding of federal programs and revenue sources, a review of the relevant research literature, analysis of data, and consultation with outside expert, and often relies on economic research. This event included a brief discussion of the role of the CBO and how different types of economic research can help inform Congress by improving the quality of the analysis and parameter estimates that the CBO uses. The talk covered several specific examples, including SNAP, permitting, and other topics of recent congressional interest.

The event featured Jeffrey Kling, Research Director at the Congressional Budget Office, and Heidi Williams, Orvil E. Dryfoos Professor in Economics and Public Affairs at Dartmouth College.

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