Introduction
The current spending from the discretionary budget on defense is indicative of the continuous expansion of the military as an economic function in the U.S. Mandatory spending and related programs do not undergo a change from year to year in funding and remain static. Discretionary budgets are adopted every fiscal year in accordance with programs found in appropriations bills. Recent changes and negotiations suggest that a large decrease in non-defense discretionary spending is likely to observe a decrease.
Discussion
This is largely due to a deal that proposes to adhere to certain key actions. First, the agreement aims to limit the 2024 discretionary spending at least at the enacted fiscal 2022 level. Second, all negotiations with the Senate are expected to be rejected unless they feature the possibility of decreasing non-defense discretionary spending (Shutt, 2023). Third, a debt limit increase may not be given unless there are fiscal reforms or a budget agreement. These actions suggest that defense spending within the realm of discretionary budgeting will be withheld through the cost of spending on other programs. This is because the current debt limit is unlikely to be increased, thereby allowing both facets of discretionary budgets to be untouched. In fact, in order for 2022 levels of spending to be met, at least $130 billion must be removed from non-defense discretionary spending. Such changes can have vastly negative effects on many facets of governance and programs that include education.
Conclusion
Overall, this suggests that government functions may suffer as a result of disagreements and underfunding. In the case that a debt limit cannot be modified, it is more beneficial to provide the same amount of budget for programs that are non-defense in order to allow operations to continue as normal.
Reference
Shutt, J. (2023). Secret U.S. House GOP plan calls for federal spending cuts, conditions on debt limit increase. Indiana Capital Chronicle. Web.