Dec 10, 2019 - Politics & Policy

Federal deficit sees 12% increase in two months, topping $342 billion

Fadel Allassan

Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin at a hearing in Congress. — U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

The federal deficit hit $342 billion for the first two months of fiscal year 2020, according to new Congressional Budget Office estimates.

The big picture: The annual deficit is forecast to average $1.2 trillion a year between 2020 and 2029, about 4.4% to 4.8% of gross domestic product, according to the CBO. Meanwhile, the national debt exceeded $23 trillion in November.

By the numbers: Between October and November, individual and payroll tax revenues increased by about 4%, or roughly $17 billion, while corporate tax receipts rose by 14%, or about $1 billion.

Government spending increased by 6% to $813 billion during those two months. Part of those expenditure came from a 7% increase in government programs like Social Security and Medicare.
Department of Defense spending also rose by 7%, or $8 billion. Department of Education spending climbed by 25%, or $3 billion.

Go deeper: U.S. budget gap hits $134.5 billion, up 34% in a year

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Federal deficit sees 12% increase in two months, topping $342 billion

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