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21st Century: Addressing Long-Term Fiscal Challenges Must Include a Re-examination of Mandatory Spending

GAO-06-456T Published: Feb 15, 2006. Publicly Released: Feb 15, 2006.
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Highlights

This testimony discusses entitlement and other mandatory spending programs in light of our nation's long-term fiscal outlook and the challenges it poses for the budget and oversight processes. In our report entitled 21st Century Challenges: Reexamining the Base of the Federal Government, we presented illustrative questions for policy makers to consider as they carry out their responsibilities. These questions look across major areas of the budget and federal operations including discretionary and mandatory spending, and tax policies and programs. We hope that this report, among other things, will be used by various congressional committees as they consider which areas of government need particular attention and reconsideration. Congress will also receive more specific proposals, some of them will be presented within comprehensive agendas. Our report provides examples of the kinds of difficult choices the nation faces with regard to discretionary spending; mandatory spending, including entitlements; as well as tax policies and compliance activities.

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Budget controllabilityBudget obligationsEconomic analysisEntitlement programsFederal fundsFiscal policiesFunds managementFuture budget projectionsPolicy evaluationStrategic planning