For the U.S. government, which of the given is NOT an example of discretionary spending?
a. Medicare
b. defense spending
c. science spending
d. Medicaid

For the U.S. government, which of the given is NOT an example of mandatory spending?
a. education spending
b. interest on the national debt
c. Social Security
d. Medicare

Which type of spending currently takes up a larger proportion of the U.S. federal budget?
a. Mandatory spending and discretionary spending take up an equal amount.
b. mandatory spending
c. discretionary spending

Discretionary spending is subject to an annual appropriation process by Congress. In contrast, mandatory spending is authorized by permanent laws and therefore can not be easily changed.

The answer to the first question is that Medicare is not a type of discretionary spending. Medicare is a type of mandatory spending. Discretionary spending includes defense, science, income security (including Medicaid), transportation, environment, education, veterans' benefits and services, etc.

The answer to the second question is that education spending is not a type of mandatory spending. Spending on education is a type of discretionary spending. Mandatory spending includes Medicare, Social Security, interest on the national debt, food stamps, TANF (temporary assistance for needy families), etc.

The answer to the last question is that the majority of the budget is spent on mandatory spending items. Mandatory spending accounts for about 60%, whereas discretionary spending accounts for about 40%.