Mandatory Spending Since 1962

Open Access

Abstract

This report reviews trends in mandatory spending since 1962. Congressional Budget Office (CBO) baseline projections of mandatory spending, which extend to 2018, are discussed, as well as extended baseline projections through 2082 used to explore long-term consequences of current budgetary policy. The report examines mandatory spending's growth relative to total federal spending and to the size of the U.S. economy, and looks at how the composition of mandatory spending has changed over time.