Fact Check: "the year-to-date total to $1.36 trillion"
What We Know
The claim that "the year-to-date total to $1.36 trillion" appears to refer to a financial figure related to the federal budget or economic indicators. According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the federal deficit for the year 2023 is projected to be approximately $1.4 trillion. This figure represents the shortfall between government revenues and expenditures for the fiscal year.
Furthermore, the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) reported that the current-dollar Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the year 2023 increased by $1.61 trillion, reaching a total of $27.36 trillion. This data indicates that the economic growth and federal deficit figures do not align with the claim of $1.36 trillion, as the deficit itself is higher.
Analysis
The claim's accuracy hinges on the context in which the $1.36 trillion figure is presented. If it is intended to represent the federal deficit, it is incorrect, as the CBO's projection for 2023 is $1.4 trillion (source-2). This discrepancy of $0.04 trillion (or $40 billion) is significant in budgetary terms and indicates that the claim is not only inaccurate but also misleading.
Moreover, the GDP increase reported by the BEA shows a substantial economic growth of $1.61 trillion, which further emphasizes that the claim does not reflect the current economic realities (source-3). The use of $1.36 trillion could potentially stem from misinterpretation or misrepresentation of financial data.
In evaluating the reliability of the sources, the CBO is a nonpartisan agency that provides budgetary and economic information to Congress, making its reports highly credible. The BEA is also a reputable source for economic data, ensuring that the figures presented are based on comprehensive analysis and statistical methods.
Conclusion
Verdict: False
The claim that "the year-to-date total to $1.36 trillion" is inaccurate when compared to verified data from credible sources. The federal deficit for 2023 is projected at $1.4 trillion, and the economic growth is reported at $1.61 trillion. The discrepancy indicates that the claim does not align with the actual financial figures, leading to the conclusion that it is false.
Sources
- CPI Inflation Calculator - U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- The Budget and Economic Outlook: 2023 to 2033
- Gross Domestic Product, Fourth Quarter and Year 2023 ...
- U.S. Economy at a Glance
- 2023 Economic Report to the Governor - Utah State Treasurer
- The Budget and Economic Outlook: 2023 to 2033
- Executive Summary to the FY 2023 Financial Report of the ...
- Economic Survey 2024-25