- Introduction
- Contents
- Federal Revenue
- Taxes & Tax Rates
- Federal Spending
- Budget Comparisons
- Projected Spending
- Download
- About
Mandatory Spending Has Increased Almost Five Times Faster Than Discretionary Spending |
Discretionary spending, the portion of the budget subject to annual review or budget debate, has risen 152 percent since 1965. Mandatory spending, consisting mostly of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, which run on autopilot, has risen 759 percent since 1965. |
Total Discretionary Spending vs. Mandatory Spending, 1965–2007, in Billions |
 |
 
Source: Outlays from FY 2009 Historical Tables, Budget of the United States Government, Table 8.1. |
