“The Federal Government cannot continue to spend more money than it takes in.” - Jimmy Carter (1978) “For decades we have piled deficit upon deficit, mortgaging our future and our children's future.” - Ronald Reagan (1981) “We must bring the Federal budget deficit under control.” - George H.W. Bush (1989) “We must put our fiscal house in order.” - Bill Clinton (1993) “We can pay down a large portion of the national debt.” - George W. Bush (2001) “Families across the country are tightening their belts … the federal government should do the same.” - Barack Obama (2010) “We will start to balance our budget and pay down our debt.” - Donald Trump (2016) “My plan will reduce the deficit.” - Joe Biden (2022) “We will balance the federal budget.” - Donald Trump (2024)