Fiscal 2019 Deficit through February

Below is a graph tracking the monthly surplus or deficit in comparison to the prior fiscal year.

Through the end of February 2019, the U.S. government has overspent by $537 billion. The Fiscal 2018 deficit through February was $391 billion. Therefore, the federal government has spent an additional $146 billion through the first five months of this fiscal year.

Revenues collected by the U.S. Treasury were essentially the same as the prior fiscal year. However, spending increased by nearly 6%. If revenues are not growing but expenses are, it’s easy to see why the annual deficit continues to rise.

How sustainable do you think it is for government spending to increase 6% more than revenues each year?