Hill Budget Office Sees 10-Year Deficits

By ALAN FRAM
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The government's budget outlook deteriorated further on Monday as the Congressional Budget Office projected nearly $2.4 trillion in deficits over the next decade, providing new fuel for an election-year battle over soaring federal shortfalls.

Along with the forecast, almost $1 trillion worse than estimated in August, Congress' nonpartisan fiscal watchdog said this year's deficit would hit $477 billion. That would be a record in dollar terms.

Although the report envisioned red ink ebbing to $362 billion next year and receding thereafter, it stirred up Democrats, who blame President Bush for squandering the unprecedented surpluses of just three years ago; and conservative Republicans, who say he has let the budget spin out of control.

"He's been completely irresponsible," presidential hopeful Sen. John Edwards, D-S.C., said in New Hampshire, underscoring Democrats' hopes that the issue is catching on. "We can't afford four more years of the right-wing Republican administration," candidate Howard Dean said. "Republicans don't balance budgets; Democrats do."

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