CBO Oversight Act

The CBO Oversight Act would require the Director of the Congressional Budget Office to provide testimony at hearings held by the House and Senate Budget Committees. Specifically, the Director would be required to testify at two hearings per committee each calendar year, at the request of either committee's chair.

These hearings could address any topic the committees deem appropriate, including a review of how accurate the CBO's budget projections and estimates were during the previous fiscal year. If enacted, this bill would formalize and increase the frequency of direct accountability between the CBO and Congress regarding the accuracy and reliability of the budget forecasts that inform major spending and tax decisions.

Currently in the House, the bill has been referred to committee and has not yet been voted on by the full chamber. The practical impact on everyday citizens would be indirect—the bill aims to strengthen congressional oversight of budget forecasting rather than directly changing government programs or services.