4 ms·
It depends on how you categorize things. The 50% numbers come from discretionary budgets & are accurate. But ‘most’ federal spending is not discretionary. It’s
by kasey_junk 8y ago
It depends on how you categorize things. The 50% numbers come from discretionary budgets & are accurate. But ‘most’ federal spending is not discretionary. It’s old people care.
- nhebb 8y agoDiscretionary spending is about 1/3 of the budget, and, yeah, defense is half of that, but when the GP wrote that "military spending takes up more than half of the budget" it paints a misleading picture.
- burfog 8y agoThere really isn't any non-discretionary spending. The closest we have is payments specified in international treaties, and even that can simply not be paid. All the rest is just a couple congressional votes and a presidential signature away from being eliminated.
- nhebb 8y agoMedicare, Medicaid, and Social Security are considered mandatory spending because politicians tend to like being reelected.
- kasey_junk 8y agoThat and it doesn’t go through the standard appropriations process.