Under this realistic scenario, annual deficits remain in the trillion dollar range for years to come. If nothing else, this demonstrates that the budget isn’t going to be brought under control by nips and tucks and an attack on waste, fraud, and abuse, notes Concord Coalition director Robert L. Bixby.

“We need a comprehensive plan that spreads the burdens and sacrifices fairly, and includes all major areas of the budget: entitlement programs, domestic discretionary spending, defense and taxes. In addition, we need reforms in the congressional budget process to help ensure that solid deficit-reduction plans are not derailed,” Mr. Bixby said in a statement linked to the Tuesday release of CBO’s report.