Also known as entitlement spending, in US fiscal policy, mandatory spending is government spending on certain programs that are required by law. ... Congress can only reduce the funding for programs by changing the authorization law itself. This requires a 60-vote majority in the Senate to pass.

Is mandatory spending required by law?

Mandatory spending requires government expenses on programs mandated by law. Social Security and Medicare are the largest mandatory programs the U.S. government has to pay for. Congress establishes the mandatory programs. Only this body can reduce the mandatory expense budget.

How is mandatory spending determined?

Mandatory spending is simply all spending that does not take place through appropriations legislation. Mandatory spending includes entitlement programs, such as Social Security, Medicare, and required interest spending on the federal debt. Mandatory spending accounts for about two-thirds of all federal spending.