R42054

Discretionary / Discretionary Spending (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Discretionary usually modifies “spending,” “appropriation,” or “amount.” Discretionary spending refers to outlays from budget authority that is provided in and controlled by annual appropriation acts. Discretionary appropriation refers to those budgetary resources that are provided in appropriation acts, other than those that fund mandatory programs. … Read more

Direct Spending / Mandatory Spending (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Direct Spending / Mandatory Spending: Budget authority, and the resulting outlays, provided in laws other than appropriations acts. Spending controlled outside of annual appropriations acts, specifically including the Food Stamp (now SNAP) program; also referred to as mandatory spending. As defined by the Balanced Budget … Read more