Business

A grim fiscal anniversary looms

By Jeremy Lott

Published June 12, 2026 6:30am ET

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The last time the U.S. federal government had a balanced budget was in fiscal 2001, when it recorded a surplus of about $130 billion.

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Budgets and Deficits Business Congress Federal Spending Fiscal Policy Government Spending Magazine - Business National Debt National Security Terrorism Washington D.C.