Fact Of The Day #58: Automatic Spending Accounts For More Than Half Of Federal Budget (INFOGRAPHIC)

Why Congress Lacks Easy Control Over Spending
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 28: The dome of the U.S. Capitol is seen on Capitol Hill August 28, 2012 in Washington, DC. It has been reported that the dome has 1,300 known cracks and breaks leaking water to the interior of the Rotunda and needs restorations. The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved $61 million before the August recess to repair the structure. On Monday, Committee on Rules and Administration chairman Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) called on Speaker of the House Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) to support the repairs. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 28: The dome of the U.S. Capitol is seen on Capitol Hill August 28, 2012 in Washington, DC. It has been reported that the dome has 1,300 known cracks and breaks leaking water to the interior of the Rotunda and needs restorations. The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved $61 million before the August recess to repair the structure. On Monday, Committee on Rules and Administration chairman Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) called on Speaker of the House Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) to support the repairs. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

More than half of all federal spending occurs automatically, without any congressional debate or vote. 55.5% of the federal budget, about $2 trillion, is so-called "mandatory" spending - Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and other programs. Actual spending levels are determined by the number of people who qualify for benefits, not Congressional action. "Discretionary" spending - programs actually approved by Congress each year, from defense to education to Amtrak - accounts for less than 45 percent of the budget.

Today's full infographic has more stats. Check it out and add to the discussion below: how do you feel about the hands-off "mandatory" spending mechanism?

mandatory spending congress

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