What is the difference between mandatory funding and discretionary funding, and how do they impact government budgeting and spending decisions?

Answer 1

Mandatory funding is money that the government is required by law to spend on certain programs, such as entitlements like Social Security. Discretionary funding, on the other hand, is money that the government can choose how to allocate, such as for defense or education. Mandatory funding can limit flexibility in budgeting, as it must be spent as mandated by law, while discretionary funding allows for more flexibility in decision-making. The mix of mandatory and discretionary funding can impact government budgeting priorities and overall spending decisions.