Question

match the budget categories with the types of spending. answers will be used more than once.
6.11) _____ social security
6.12) _____ veterans’ benefits
6.13) _____ education
6.14) _____ medicare
6.15) _____ highway and bridge construction
6.16) _____ national defense
6.17) _____ entitlement programs
6.18) _____ foreign aid
a. discretionary spending
b. mandatory spending
write the correct answer.
6.19) why is it so difficult to get lawmakers to cut mandatory spending items such as social entitlement programs?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Explanation:

For the matching section:

• Mandatory spending is required by law for programs where eligible people have a legal right to benefits.
• Discretionary spending is set annually by Congress through appropriations bills.

For the short answer:
Mandatory spending programs have large, dedicated voter bases who rely on these benefits for financial security. Cutting them would risk losing voter support for lawmakers. Additionally, many of these programs are enshrined in law, so changing them requires complex legislative action, and they are designed to support vulnerable or retired populations, making cuts politically unpopular.

Answer:

6.11) B. mandatory spending
6.12) B. mandatory spending
6.13) A. discretionary spending
6.14) B. mandatory spending
6.15) A. discretionary spending
6.16) A. discretionary spending
6.17) B. mandatory spending
6.18) A. discretionary spending
6.19) These programs have large, loyal voter bases who depend on the benefits for basic needs; cutting them would lead to significant political backlash for lawmakers. Additionally, these programs are legally mandated, so altering them requires complex legislative changes, and they serve vulnerable groups, making cuts ethically and politically unpopular.