Changes

Spending ([[budget authority]] and [[outlays]]) controlled in annual [[appropriation|appropriations]] [[act|acts]].<ref>[http://www.senate.gov/reference/glossary_term/discretionary_spending.htm] US Senate Reference</ref>  Unlike mandatory, or [[non-discretionary spending]], discretionary appropriations require an annual vote from a member of Congress. In 2013, only 31% of the United States federal budget was discretionary spending, the balance being entitlement, or [[mandatory spending]], and interest on the [[national debt]].<ref>http://nationalpriorities.org/media/uploads/federal_budget_101/Figure8.3.png</ref>

Spending ([[budget authority]] and [[outlays]]) controlled in annual [[appropriation]]s [[act]]s.<ref>[http://www.senate.gov/reference/glossary_term/discretionary_spending.htm] US Senate Reference</ref>  Unlike mandatory, or [[non-discretionary spending]], discretionary appropriations require an annual vote from a member of Congress. In 2013, only 31% of the United States federal budget was discretionary spending, the balance being entitlement, or [[mandatory spending]], and interest on the [[national debt]].<ref>http://nationalpriorities.org/media/uploads/federal_budget_101/Figure8.3.png</ref>

With discretionary spending being the only items members of Congress can control, this has led to some commentators referring to the bulk of U.S. government spending and growth of [[deficit]]s as being on auto-pilot.<ref>http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/262673/autopilot-programs-will-squeeze-out-everything-else-veronique-de-rugy</ref> The political philosopher and journalist [[George Will]] however, contends that all government spending is discretionary spending with the exception of debt service.<ref>[http://www.econtalk.org/archives/2011/02/george_will_on.html Econtalk], George will, Feb-28-2011</ref>  

With discretionary spending being the only items members of Congress can control, this has led to some commentators referring to the bulk of U.S. government spending and growth of [[deficit]]s as being on auto-pilot.<ref>http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/262673/autopilot-programs-will-squeeze-out-everything-else-veronique-de-rugy</ref> The political philosopher and journalist [[George Will]] however, contends that all government spending is discretionary spending with the exception of debt service.<ref>[http://www.econtalk.org/archives/2011/02/george_will_on.html Econtalk], George will, Feb-28-2011</ref>