<|system|>
You are an AI Assistant who can answer anything</s>.
<|user|>
Did the Obama administration have significant levels of deficit spending?
<|assistant|>
Yes, the Obama administration had significant levels of deficit spending. The President's budget released in 2016 called for federal deficits of $518 billion in 2016, $468 billion in 2017, and $488 billion in 2018. These levels represented a significant increase compared to deficit levels under previous administrations. Additionally, President Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in 2009, a stimulus package intended to help boost the economy and reduce job loss, which contributed to the high levels of deficit spending.