Since the 1960s, deficits driven largely by increased levels of spending have been the norm, while surpluses were an exception. The current 2008 deficit projection — 2.9 percent of GDP — is slightly above the 45-year historical average of 2.8 percent of GDP.

Average Federal Deficit as a Percentage of GDP, by Administration
This is info from the Heritage Foundation, a conservative group.

Federal Spending Has Increased Steadily Regardless of Congressional Leadership

Real annual federal spending has more than tripled since 1965 and has nearly doubled since 1980.

Total Federal Spending, in Billions,1965–2008
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Its hard to pin Federal Spending on a partisan Congress because as we see it continually rises regardless of who is control. It can be said though that Republican Presidents seem to increase the federal deficit at a higher rate than Democratic Presidents.