The Treasury Department says the deficit was $137 billion in October. That brings the total for the first two month of the budget year to $236 billion.
While high by historical standards, the deficit is $55 billion lower than the same two months last year. The government is also on pace to end the year $973 billion in the red, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
Still, many expect that to change this month if Congress extends a Social Security tax cut and extended employment benefits. Both expire at the end of this month.
