The February 2026 CBO Baseline: What It Says (and What It Means)

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO)'s projections shape the fiscal debate in Washington, influencing everything from budget negotiations to tax and spending policy, and this year’s baseline arrives amid growing concerns about rising debt, deficits, and our ability to sustain such high and rising borrowing over the long term. 

On February 18, 2026, the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget hosted a virtual event, The Latest CBO Baseline: What It Says (and What It Means). The Committee's Policy Director, Chris Towner, provided an overview of the latest CBO baseline report outlining projections of the budget and economy over the next decade. 

Towner walked through the key takeaways from the new baseline, including from the Committee's full analysis of the report, and what it means for policymakers and the broader fiscal outlook. Q&A from viewers online followed the presentation.

Watch the recording | View the slide deck