Fiscal 2019 Deficit Through August

Below is a chart tracking the monthly deficit of the U.S. government for the current fiscal year, in comparison to last year (Fiscal 2018). The deficit through the first eleven months was in excess of $1 trillion. Since September is a month when tax payments are due, the September surplus should push the deficit for the year below $1 trillion… but not by much.

Since September 1 occurred on the weekend, certain payments that would normally be paid in September were paid in August. This shift in timing increased the August deficit by $24 billion. A similar timing shift happened in 2018. Even with this timing differential, the year-to-date deficit is $168 billion more than last year.

What do you think about federal spending that has exceeded revenues by more than $1 trillion over the past 11 months?