U.S. deficit could reach trillion

WASHINGTON, Dec. 22 (UPI) -- While it's difficult to predict, next year's U.S. federal deficit could reach a trillion dollars, White House spokesman Tony Fratto said Monday.

"It's going to be large," Fratto, the deputy press secretary, said at a White House news briefing.

The deficit will reflect the economic slump, a drop in federal revenue and the "large increase in spending over the short term to deal with the financial crisis," Fratto said, noting passage of a second stimulus bill rests with Congress and the incoming administration of President-elect Barack Obama.

Sunday, Vice President-elect Joseph Biden said a second stimulus package is needed because the Obama administration is likely to inherit the largest deficit in U.S. history -- probably exceeding a trillion dollars.

Biden said a deficit of a trillion-plus would dictate the need for a second stimulus package in the range of $600 billion to $700 billion.