As reported here, last week’s description of this year’s federal deficit by CBO Acting Director Donald Marron’s as “sustainable” provoked the ire of Kent Conrad (D-ND), the ranking Senate Budget Committee member, and John M. Spratt Jr. (D-SC), the ranking House Budget Committee member. Maron became Acting director when Douglas J. Holtz-Eakin left at the end of 2005, roughly halfway through his term. Amid the stir raised last week by Marron’s comments, the question was raised regarding the tenure of a CBO acting director. The answer, for now, from Congressional Quarterly (subscription required): Betsy Holahan, a spokeswoman for Senate Budget Committee Chairman Judd Gregg, R-N.H., said Marron will remain acting director until Holtz-Eakin’s term expires at the start of 2007. CBO directors are appointed jointly by the Speaker of the House and the Senate president pro tempore, but by tradition the choice alternates between the House and Senate Budget chairmen. It’s the Senate’s turn to choose, but Gregg has not made a selection.