The following pie chart illustrates federal discretionary spending in fiscal year 2005. The discretionary budget refers to the part of the federal budget proposed by the President, and debated and decided by Congress each year. This part of the budget constitutes more than one-third of total federal spending. The remainder of the federal budget is called 'mandatory spending.' Fiscal year 2005 ran from October 1, 2004 to September 30, 2005.

Community and regional development budget authority for FY2005 was $82.4 billion; however, the vast majority of this (approximately 75%) was for hurricane relief and recovery. In FY2004, community and regional development was $18 billion.

Percentage of budget authority.

Source: Office of Management and Budget, Budget of the U.S. Government, FY2007.