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.
Coordinating Stimulus and Consolidation
The Wall Street Journal points out that deficit aversion is coming to Washington at a bad time. Just as lawmakers are looking to provide an extra kick...
Senate Seeks to Terminate Extenders Debate
The Senate will seek an end to the extended debate over tax extenders legislation tomorrow with a cloture vote on HR 4213 even though it is not clear...
Larry Summers Joins the Announcement Effect Club
Larry Summers, top economic advisor to President Obama, joined the Announcement Effect Club after remarks on a few occasions. First, in a speech at...
‘Line’ Items: World Cup Edition
“Beautiful Game”and Not-So-Pretty Agenda – Add soccer to all the other distractions in Washington as lawmakers face a packed agenda. With the World...
Credibility Is Key in Crafting Stimulus
Over the weekend, the President sent a letter to the Hill urging Congress to pass new stimulus measures. As we have written, we think the costs of...
Default in 2011?
Bruce Bartlett posits an interesting scenario for when debt default could occur in the US: next year. Before the panic sets in, we should clarify. He...
The Swiss Version of a Balanced Budget Amendment
As part of a celebration of Albert Gallatin's upcoming 250th birthday the Swiss Embassy held a panel discussing the Swiss federal government's "debt...
MARKETWATCH: June 11, 2010
U.S. financial markets this week have continued to be dominated by global capital seeking a safe haven in U.S. Treasury instruments, as the eurozone...
Hensarling Comes Close
In testimony before the House Budget Committee this week, Ben Bernanke called for a plan to be put in place now to reduce deficits once the economy...
Dueling Editorials
Start with a basic question: Do you think politicians are better at cutting taxes and increasing spending, or the reverse? The answer should help you...
Another Savings Idea, Brought to You by the White House
The Obama Administration has been putting out a flurry (see here and here) of modest savings proposals over the past few weeks. The latest comes in a...
CBO Issues Its Monthly Report on the Deficit, Outlays, and Revenues
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) issued its Monthly Review late last week (and today, the Treasury released its Monthly Statement for May). CBO...