US Budget Deficit Slashed in Half , As Pandemic Spending Eases.br Reuters reports that on Oct. 21, the American government said that compared to last year, its 2022 fiscal budget br deficit was cut in half to $1.375 trillion.br Decreased COVID relief spending br and record revenues were key factors.br According to the U.S. Treasury, the br $1.400 trillion deficit reduction was the br largest-ever improvement in a single year.br President Biden touted his administration's br efforts to lower the deficit while increasing br infrastructure spending and providing more br benefits to middle- and low-income Americans.br You know, we've gone from an historically strong economic recovery to a steady and stable growth, while reducing the deficit, President Biden, via statement.br However, student loan forgiveness costs kept the deficit from being cut even further.br According to CNN, the program, which is widely criticized br by Republicans, impacted the outlays for the fiscal br year's final month of September by $430 billion. .br Still, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen says the Biden administration has sustained a "credible fiscal policy.".br I do see our debt as being br on a responsible path, Janet Yellen, U.S. Treasury Secretary, via statement.br But fiscal watchdog Committee for a Responsible Budget thinks otherwise.