Final answer:
The claim that Republicans have managed to reduce the size of the federal government recently is false, as balancing the budget involves complex decisions affecting numerous programs, and federal spending has not been consistently reduced.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that Republicans have managed to reduce the size of the federal government through cuts in the federal budget and the elimination of numerous federal programs in recent years is False. Balancing the budget is a complex issue and involves decisions on both revenue and expenditure. While it's true that some Republicans, particularly at state levels, have focused on cost-cutting measures such as reducing aid to local governments and firing state employees, this statement does not hold true for the federal level where spending on programs like Social Security and Medicare continue to be significant. Moreover, defense spending, although having varied over time, is not currently higher than ever before.
Additionally, it's important to note that federal budget surpluses were recorded from 1998-2001, contradicting the idea that only recent budget deficits exist. Also, foreign aid constitutes only about 1% of federal spending, not a large portion as some may perceive. Therefore, the notion of across-the-board federal government reductions by Republicans does not accurately reflect the complexities of federal budgeting and spending.