Ranking Member Boyle Introduces Congressional Budget Office Data Sharing Act

WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, Pennsylvania Congressman Brendan F. Boyle, Ranking Member of the House Budget Committee, released the following statement on the introduction of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Data Sharing Act. He was joined by House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington as an original cosponsor of this legislation to improve CBO's ability to provide timely cost estimates and reports.

“The expertise provided by the men and women of the Congressional Budget Office is critical to our work for the American people,” said Ranking Member Boyle. “Far too often, CBO experiences delays in receiving data that impair Congress's ability to make informed decisions. This bipartisan legislation will strengthen CBO's ability to handle sensitive data and ensure that executive agencies provide CBO with the data it needs to support Congressional decision-making. I want to thank Chairman Arrington for his support, and I look forward to working together to turn this bill into law.”

“As Chairman of the House Budget Committee, I am proud to join my friend and Ranking Member, Brendan Boyle, as he introduces legislation to strengthen our financial stewardship by ensuring that the Congressional Budget Office has the necessary tools to provide accurate cost accounting,” said Chairman Arrington. “Thanks to Rep. Boyle’s leadership, this bill will make the congressional budget process work better - more transparent, efficient, and timely.”

Background:

CBO works collaboratively with executive agencies to get access to data. CBO obtains data in a variety of ways, ranging from informal discussions and email to formal legal agreements involving third-party hosting companies. When receiving data is delayed, it is usually because executive agency employees want to ensure sensitive data is protected. The bill amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (Budget Act) to strengthen and protect CBO's data access authority and related obligations to protect sensitive data sets. This in turn provides CBO with the timely access to information it needs to complete its work for Congress. Ultimately, this will make Congress more efficient and ensures that Members and committees get the information they request from CBO in a timely manner.

A fact sheet on the CBO Data Sharing Act is available here and the text is available here.

###