Number: RL34424
Title: Trends in Discretionary Spending
Authors: D. Andrew Austin, Analyst in Economic Policy; Mindy R. Levit, Analyst in Public Finance 
Abstract: Discretionary spending is provided in, and controlled by, annual appropriations acts, which fund many of the routine activities commonly associated with such federal government functions as running executive branch agencies, congressional offices and agencies, and international operations of the government. Essentially all spending on federal wages and salaries is discretionary. Discretionary spending is often contrasted with mandatory, or direct, spending. Mandatory spending includes federal spending on entitlement programs, the Food Stamp program, and other spending controlled by laws other than appropriation acts. Spending levels for mandatory programs are generally controlled by eligibility criteria and size of the eligible population.
Pages: 9
Date: December 23, 2008