Discretionary spending

Public finance
Policies Agricultural Economic Energy Industrial Investement Social Trade Fiscal Monetary Policy mix
Fiscal policy Budget policy Debt external internal Deficit / Surplus Finance ministry Fiscal union Revenue Spending deficit Tax
Monetary policy Bank reserves (requirements) Discount window Gold reserves Interest rate Monetary authority central bank currency board Monetary base Monetary (currency) union Money supply
Trade policy Balance of trade Free trade Gains from trade Non-tariff barrier Protectionism Tariff Trade bloc Trade creation Trade diversion Trade / Commerce ministry
Revenue Spending Non-tax revenue Tax revenue Discretionary spending Mandatory spending
Optimum Balanced budget (fiscal) Growth (trade and investment) Price stability (monetary)
Reform Fiscal adjustment Monetary reform

In public finance, discretionary spending is government spending implemented through an appropriations bill.^[1] This spending is an optional part of fiscal policy, in contrast to entitlement programs for which funding is mandatory.^[2]

In the United States, discretionary spending refers to spending set on a yearly basis by decision of Congress. Such spending is usually authorized by Congress in another act. Provisions of an appropriations act that authorize spending are earmarks. When an authorization act also appropriates funds, it is called mandatory spending.

See also

• Mandatory spending
• Appropriations bill (United States)

References