Nick Smith said "And, Mr. Speaker, of course the lobbyists that come in, they would prefer that it be mandatory spending; so some of these programs, if they can write it in law that if they meet certain qualifications, they automatically get it and it does not go through the appropriation process, it is not subject to prioritizing. So we have ended up with more and more of our budget being spent in this mandatory spending, and really even though technically defense is discretionary, most of the defense budget becomes the kind of obligation, because that is what we are here for, defense and security, becomes almost untouchable." @ PoliticalQuotes.com

On the recordApril 21, 2004

And, Mr. Speaker, of course the lobbyists that come in, they would prefer that it be mandatory spending; so some of these programs, if they can write it in law that if they meet certain qualifications, they automatically get it and it does not go through the appropriation process, it is not subject to prioritizing. So we have ended up with more and more of our budget being spent in this mandatory spending, and really even though technically defense is discretionary, most of the defense budget becomes the kind of obligation, because that is what we are here for, defense and security, becomes almost untouchable.

Said by

Nick Smith

Republican · Michigan

Source

govinfo.gov

Editor's note · Context

Discussing the implications of mandatory spending on the federal budget.

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