21.   The lower-than-expected deficit this year would also make it easier for the negotiators to compromise on the economic assumptions they use in predicting future deficits.

22.   The money has been vital to a state that has been struggling to balance its budget and is faced with a potential deficit this year.

23.   The strong economy has also meant much higher than anticipated revenue for the U.S. Treasury, suggesting the deficit this year could be far lower than first anticipated.

24.   The Treasury Department said that despite the prospect of federal budget deficits this year and next, it expects surpluses to return soon.

25.   The Treasury said that despite the prospect of federal budget deficits this year and next, it expects surpluses to return soon.

26.   They are looking instead at budget gimmicks to reduce the size of the deficit this year.

27.   They want to close the projected budget deficit this year by imagining it away.

28.   Treasury said an improvement in the rural economy is likely to mean a better-than-expected narrowing in the current account deficit this year.

29.   With the dollar remaining strong and demand in Asian markets likely to deteriorate, if not crumble, analysts expect a sharp increase in the trade deficit this year.

30.   Analysts said the government is on track to show a declining deficit this year, due to the improved economy and spending caps that have held outlays down.