Papers
View our recurring reports, which summarize and analyze the most important regular federal budget releases and reports.

Appropriations 101
What are appropriations? How does Congress determine the total level of appropriations? How does Congress allocate appropriations? How are...

Comments on Proposed Rule to Waive Student Debt
On May 17, Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget's Senior Vice President and Senior Policy Director Marc Goldwein submitted comments on the...

Analysis of the 2024 Social Security Trustees’ Report
The Social Security and Medicare Trustees released their annual reports today on the financial status of the Social Security and Medicare programs...

Analysis of the 2024 Medicare Trustees' Report
The Social Security and Medicare Trustees released their annual reports detailing the current and future financial status of the trust funds. Our...

Analysis of CBO's March 2024 Long-Term Budget Outlook
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released its March 2024 Long-Term Budget Outlook today that projects the nation’s fiscal and economic future...

Analysis of the President's FY 2025 Budget
The White House released its Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 budget proposal today, outlining President Biden’s tax and spending priorities for the next decade...

Employer Plans in Medicare Advantage: A Flaw in the Quality Bonus System
Employer Group Waiver Plans (EGWPs) are a popular option for unions and employers to provide former workers with retiree health insurance in place of...

Government Shutdowns Q&A: Everything You Should Know
The third continuing resolution (CR) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 expires in two tranches, the first of which funds 4 of the 12 appropriations bills and...

CBO's February 2024 Budget and Economic Outlook
The Congressional Budget Office released its February 2024 Budget and Economic Outlook today, projecting the nation’s fiscal and economic future over...

Supplemental Payments Drive Up Federal Medicaid Costs
This paper is part of a series on Medicaid financing. Other papers in the series discuss an overview of state financing schemes and provider taxes...

Chartbook: From Riches to Rags: Causes of Fiscal Deterioration Since 2001
On January 31, Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget senior vice president and senior policy director Marc Goldwein gave a presentation on our...

Government Shutdowns Q&A: Everything You Should Know
This paper has been updated here. The second continuing resolution (CR) for fiscal year (FY) 2024 expires in two tranches, the first of which funds 4...