mandatory spending

Mandatory spending refers to government expenditures that are required by law and cannot be easily changed or adjusted in the budget process. This type of spending primarily funds entitlement programs, such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, which guarantee benefits to individuals meeting specific criteria. Unlike discretionary spending, which lawmakers can modify annually, mandatory spending is generally set by existing laws and continues unless those laws are amended. As a result, it plays a crucial role in the federal budget and reflects commitments to support various sectors of the population.