U.S. budget deficit hits $214.1 billion in August

WASHINGTON — The federal government racked up a $214.1 billion deficit in August, double the red ink from a year ago, although a big part of that increase reflected quirks in the calendar.

The Treasury Department said Thursday the August shortfall pushed the deficit for the first 11 months of the budget year to $898.1 billion, 33 percent higher than the same period a year ago.

The August imbalance, which was a record for the month of August, looked worse because large benefit payments that would have been made in September got pushed into August because Sept. 1 fell on a Saturday.

In addition, Social Security payments, which are normally made on the third of each month, were pushed into August because Sept. 3 was the Labor Day holiday.