U.S. February Budget Deficit Widens to $113.9 Bln, Largest Ever

The U.S. budget deficit widened more than expected in February from year earlier as military and Medicare spending surged, the Treasury reported in Washington.

The $113.9 billion shortfall, the biggest monthly gap ever, compares with a deficit of $96.7 billion in February 2004. The government posted a record deficit of $412.3 billion in fiscal 2004, which ended Sept. 30.