The following pie chart shows federal discretionary spending in fiscal year 2004.The discretionary budget refers to the part of the federal budget which Congress debates and decides every year. This part of the budget constitutes more than one-third of total federal spending. The remainder of the federal budget is 'mandatory spending.' Fiscal year 2004 ran from October 1, 2003 to September 30, 2004.

Source: Office of Management and Budget, Mid-Session Review, Budget of the U.S. Government, FY2005.