Balance Sheet

While optimistic about the future, the president’s budget actually shows an increase in this year’s deficit. And nearly two-thirds of the five-year deficit savings Clinton envisions would not occur until 2001 and 2002, after he has left office.

CONGRESSIONAL MAJORITY FOR YEAR’S FISCAL BUDGET

Deficit in billions

1962: $7

House: Democrats

Senate: Democrats

*

1963: $5

House: Democrats

Senate: Democrats

*

1964: $6

House: Democrats

Senate: Democrats

*

1965: $1

House: Democrats

Senate: Democrats

*

1966: $4

House: Democrats

Senate: Democrats

*

1967: $9

House: Democrats

Senate: Democrats

*

1968: $25

House: Democrats

Senate: Democrats

*

1969: $ +3

House: Democrats

Senate: Democrats

*

1970: $3

House: Democrats

Senate: Democrats

*

1971: $23

House: Democrats

Senate: Democrats

*

1972: $23

House: Democrats

Senate: Democrats

*

1973: $15

House: Democrats

Senate: Democrats

*

1974: $6

House: Democrats

Senate: Democrats

*

1975: $53

House: Democrats

Senate: Democrats

*

1976: $74

House: Democrats

Senate: Democrats

*

1977: $54

House: Democrats

Senate: Democrats

*

1978: $59

House: Democrats

Senate: Democrats

*

1979: $41

House: Democrats

Senate: Democrats

*

1980: $74

House: Democrats

Senate: Democrats

*

1981: $79

House: Democrats

Senate: Democrats

*

1982: $128

House: Democrats

Senate: Republicans

*

1983: $208

House: Democrats

Senate: Republicans

*

1984: $185

House: Democrats

Senate: Republicans

*

1985: $212

House: Democrats

Senate: Republicans

*

1986: $221

House: Democrats

Senate: Republicans

*

1987: $150

House: Democrats

Senate: Republicans

*

1988: $155

House: Democrats

Senate: Democrats

*

1989: $153

House: Democrats

Senate: Democrats

*

1990: $221

House: Democrats

Senate: Democrats

*

1991: $269

House: Democrats

Senate: Democrats

*

1992: $290

House: Democrats

Senate: Democrats

*

1993: $255

House: Democrats

Senate: Democrats

*

1994: $203

House: Democrats

Senate: Democrats

*

1995: $164

House: Democrats

Senate: Democrats

*

1996: $107

House: Republicans

Senate: Republicans

*

1997: $126*

House: Republicans

Senate: Republicans

*

1998: $121**

House: Republicans

Senate: Republicans

*

1999: $117**

House: Republicans

Senate: Republicans

*

2000: $87**

2001: $36**

2002: $+17** * estimated

** projected

Note: Fiscal years 1936 to 1976 ended June 30. Fiscal years after 1976 end Sept. 30. For instance,, the 1998 fiscal year begins on Oct. 1, 1997 and ends Sept. 30, 1998. Dates refer to fiscal years presidents and congress are responsible for, not terms in office.

Presidents, left to right, Kennedy (D), Johnson (D), Nixon (R), Ford (R), Carter (D), Reagan (R), Bush (R), Clinton (D).

Final Steps

How President Clinton would flatten the deficit:

* The biggest chunk of savings in Clinton’s plan--$100 billion over five years--would come from Medicare.

* He also would cull savings from Medicaid, the health care program for the poor.

* He projects a surplus for 2002, relying on White House Office of Management and Budget economic assumptions that are considered too optimistic by some critics.

Source: Office of Management and Budget.