Elmendorf, Obama Put CBO’s Integrity at Risk

J.D. Foster / July 22, 2009

According to President Obama’s televised remarks, he recently met with Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Director Doug Elmendorf to discuss health care reform. Of course, the President may desire to meet with anyone if he believes such a meeting can help advance his agenda. However, it is extremely disturbing for a senior staff person employed by the Legislative branch of our government to be meeting with the head of the Executive branch, most especially at a time when the CBO is among the most key participants in the ongoing health care reform debate.

The CBO was established to provide the Congress with independent, non-partisan analysis of the state of the economy, the budget outlook, budget options, and the budgetary effects of legislation under consideration by the Congress. It is an institution within the Legislative branch. CBO has worked hard, often under difficult circumstances, to establish its expertise, its independence, and its non-partisan credentials under Democratic and Republican leadership.

Of course, conversations occur between CBO and OMB staff regarding technical matters and various logistical issues. But historically, the OMB and the White House have been careful not to overstep this relationship to impugn the independence of the CBO. Likewise, CBO staff and Directors have carefully guarded their reputations against undue pressure from their congressional masters or their Executive Branch colleagues. Until now. (more…)