Direct spending is the same as mandatory spending. It is spending which is authorized other than by the 13 appropriations bills in the appropriations process which constitute discretionary spending.
Under the Budget Enforcement Act of 1990, direct spending consists of budget authority and resulting outlays provided in laws other than appropriation acts; entitlement authority including appropriated entitlements; and the Food Stamp Program.
Direct spending, sometimes called mandatory spending, is a category of outlays from budget authority provided in law other than appropriations acts, entitlement authority, and the budget authority for the food stamp program. (Cf. discretionary appropriations.)
Synonymous with mandatory spending. Direct spending is budget authority provided in laws other than appropriation acts. For the purposes of the Deficit Control Act, it is also defined as including entitlement authority and the Food Stamp program. See appropriation act, budget authority, and entitlement; compare with discretionary spending.
The Budget Enforcement Act of 1990 defines direct spending as (a) budget authority provided by an authorization, (b) entitlement authority (including mandatory spending contained in appropriation acts), and (c) the Food Stamp program. A synonym is mandatory spending. Compare with discretionary spending.
Another term for mandatory spending. As defined in the Deficit Control Act, as amended, direct spending comprises entitlements, the Food Stamp program, and budget authority provided by laws other than annual appropriation acts. See entitlement, budget authority, and appropriation act; compare with discretionary spending.
