DEFICIT/GOP/SPENDING/TAXES/TREASURY/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “President Donald Trump’s first full fiscal year in office has produced the nation’s largest budget shortfall in six years, according to Treasury Department data released Monday [10-16-18]. The U.S. deficit widened in fiscal 2018 to $779 billion, which is $113 billion more than the previous year, according to the Treasury’s widely anticipated yearly report. Budget chief Mick Mulvaney, the White House’s best known deficit hawk, blamed the rising tide of red ink on Congress’ appetite for more spending this year — but he ignored the costly package of tax breaks that passed exclusively with Republican votes this year. The Office of Management and Budget director argued that the supercharged economy would eventually bring in enough government revenue to make up the difference, without providing specific details.”
–Sarah Ferris, “Treasury: Budget deficit swells under Trump to largest in 6 years,” Politico, October 15, 2018 2:26 pm