Which entity makes economic projections about the performance of the economy, the costs of proposed policies, and the economic effects of taxing and spending alternatives?

• A. Government Accountability Office
• B. Senate Banking Committee
• C. Congressional Budget Office
• D. House Ways and Means Committee

Answer: (C)

The entity that provides independent, nonpartisan analyses of the budget and the economy for Congress is the Congressional Budget Office. It produces economic projections showing how the economy is likely to perform, estimates the costs of proposed policies, and analyzes the economic effects of different taxing and spending options. This helps lawmakers compare policy choices and understand potential impacts before acting. The other options have different roles: the Government Accountability Office focuses on auditing and evaluating government programs; the Senate Banking Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee are legislative bodies that oversee or craft policy, not the official budget scoring and macroeconomic projections provided by the CBO.