Discretionary spending
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Spending (budget authority and outlays) controlled in annual appropriations acts.[1] 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.[2]
The political philosopher and journalist George Will contends that all government spending is discretionary spending with the exception of debt service.[3]
