Advocacy Glossary
CBO score
What does CBO score mean?
A CBO score is the Congressional Budget Office's official estimate of how a bill would change federal spending and revenue, usually over ten years.
Why it matters for advocates
The Congressional Budget Office is a nonpartisan agency. Its estimates matter because budget rules often require a bill's costs to be paid for, and the CBO number is the one that counts.
A high score can sink a bill or force changes. Advocates who understand what drives their bill's cost can suggest fixes before the score becomes a reason to say no.
Related terms
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