Spending on programs for which there is an existing legal obligation is labeled

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Mandatory spending is spending on programs for which there is an existing legal obligation, such as Social Security and Medicare benefits. Discretionary spending, on the other hand, is spending on programs that are subject to annual appropriations and can be adjusted by Congress in budget negotiations. Entitlement spending refers to programs that provide benefits to everyone who meets certain eligibility criteria, regardless of the annual budget. Obligatory is not a term commonly used to describe federal budget categories.

Spending on Programs for Which There Is an Existing Legal