Congressional Budget Office Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Request: Investing in Staff, Technology, and Expertise

Congressional Budget Office Requests $73.5 Million Budget for Fiscal Year 2025

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has submitted a budget request of $73.5 million for fiscal year 2025, representing a 5 percent increase from the previous year. The majority of the requested funds, about 89 percent, would go towards pay and benefits for CBO staff, with 7 percent allocated for information technology (IT) and 4 percent for training, expert consultant services, office supplies, and other items.

The increase in funding is necessary to address rising costs due to inflation, sustain investments in IT infrastructure, and allow CBO to expand its staff in key areas. The agency has seen strong interest in its work from Congressional leadership, committees, and Members, with a significant number of cost estimates and technical assistance requests fulfilled in the past year.

Operating under a continuing resolution for half of fiscal year 2024 has posed challenges for CBO, leading to a reduction in staff positions and cost-saving measures. The requested budget for 2025 would allow the agency to grow back to 276 positions by the end of the year and support 285 employees in total, enabling CBO to fulfill its responsibilities under the Congressional Budget Act more effectively.

Of the nine new staff members proposed for 2025, five would enhance CBO’s capabilities in dynamic analysis, long-term estimates, defense weapons systems analysis, and credit program estimates. Two new staff members would improve responsiveness in producing cost estimates and providing technical assistance, while one would focus on IT security and another on outreach to Congressional staff and the press.

CBO also plans to utilize expert consultants more extensively to align with Congress’s key areas of focus and improve efficiency in facility management, IT work, and financial management. The requested increase in funding is solely for personnel expenses, with total nonpersonnel expenses expected to decrease by about 3 percent due to the completion of certain IT projects in 2024.

Overall, the budget request reflects CBO’s commitment to providing accurate and timely analysis to support Congressional decision-making and legislative initiatives in the coming year.