Bill · S. 5442· Senate(119-S-5442)
Cost Estimates Improvement Act
- Introduced
- 9/17/2026
- Last activity
- 9/17/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Budget.
- Sponsored by
- Rick Scott
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is called the Cost Estimates Improvement Act. It amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. The bill requires the Congressional Budget Office and the Joint Committee on Taxation to include the costs of servicing the public debt in any estimate they prepare, to the extent practicable. This ensures that the true financial impact regarding public debt is part of official legislative cost estimates.
Yes
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+4
The legislation improves government transparency by mandating that legislative cost estimates include the costs of servicing the public debt.
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?+3
The bill enhances fiscal responsibility by ensuring lawmakers and the public are fully informed of the long-term debt-servicing costs of legislation.
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?+2
By requiring CBO and JCT to include debt servicing costs in legislative cost estimates, the bill promotes greater fiscal transparency that could encourage deficit reduction.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Better Financial Transparency: Section 2 requires estimates prepared by the Congressional Budget Office and the Joint Committee on Taxation to include costs relating to servicing the public debt. This is positive because it gives the public and our elected officials a clearer and more complete picture of how new legislation affects the national debt.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No Negative Impacts Identified: The provided text does not contain any specific provisions outlining negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Fiscal Responsibility+3Reduces National Debt+2
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+4
- 9/17/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Budget.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.