He's the budget scorekeeper for Congress. Lately, it's been a tough job

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Phillip Swagel, director of the Congressional Budget Office, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

WASHINGTON – Even for an agency accustomed to criticism, this summer’s debate over Republicans' big bill of tax breaks and spending cuts was a harsh one for the Congressional Budget Office .

“Notorious for getting it wrong,” was the judgment of Speaker Mike Johnson . “Making the same mistakes,” was the refrain from House Majority Leader Steve Scalise. And President Donald Trump dismissed the CBO as “very hostile.”

For CBO Director Phillip Swagel, the “incoming fire,” as he calls it, is simply part of the job.

“We’re just trying to get it