Federal deficit rose to $2 trillion for fiscal 2026, adding to debt fears

Published October 8, 2026 2:46pm ET | Updated October 8, 2026 3:04pm ET



The federal budget deficit rose to $2 trillion in fiscal 2026, the Congressional Budget Office estimated Thursday, as spending rose faster than revenues.

The large deficit adds to concerns about the fiscal stability of the United States. This past fiscal year’s deficit was ​​$218 billion more than the deficit recorded in fiscal 2025, according to the CBO report.

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