Statement on CBO’s Budget and Economic Outlook
NEW YORK — Michael A. Peterson, President and CEO of the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, commented today on the Congressional Budget Office’s Budget and Economic Outlook update:
“As a new president and Congress take office, one thing hasn’t changed: our nation’s fiscal outlook remains unsustainable. Now is the time to tackle this long-standing issue.
“In today’s report, CBO projects that deficits will reach $1 trillion by 2023 and total $9.4 trillion over the next ten years. As our debt grows, so too do our borrowing costs — crowding out important investments in our economic future. Interest alone is projected to total $5.2 trillion in the next ten years, according to CBO’s latest projection.
“The long-term imbalance between revenues and spending must be taken into account as lawmakers look to address major policy areas, including healthcare and tax reform. These reforms should improve our fiscal outlook in the decades ahead, by stabilizing our debt as a share of the economy.”
For more information, read our analysis of the CBO report.
Further Reading
What Is the SALT Cap?
The deduction of state and local tax payments from federal income taxes has been a subject of debate among economists and policymakers over the past few years — with significant implications for our budget and fiscal outlook.
Infographic: How the U.S. Tax System Works
One issue that most lawmakers and voters agree on is that our tax system needs reform.
What Is the Premium Tax Credit?
The premium tax credit reduces the cost of health insurance for millions of Americans. It is also one of the largest federal tax expenditures.