<P> The United States federal budget contains a number of expenditures, which include mandatory programs such as the Medicare and Social Security programs, military spending, and discretionary funding for Cabinet Departments (e.g., United States Department of Justice) and agencies (e.g., Securities & Exchange Commission). </P> <P> During FY2016, the federal government spent $3.27 trillion on a budget or cash basis, up $18 billion or 1% vs. FY2015 spending of $3.25 trillion . Major categories of FY 2016 spending included: </P> <Ol> <Li> Healthcare such as Medicare and Medicaid ($1,060 B or 28% of spending), </Li> <Li> Social Security ($910 B or 24%), </Li> <Li> Non-defense discretionary spending used to run federal Departments and Agencies ($600 B or 16%), </Li> <Li> Defense Department ($585 B or 15%), </Li> <Li> Interest ($240 B or 6%). </Li> </Ol> <Li> Healthcare such as Medicare and Medicaid ($1,060 B or 28% of spending), </Li>

Percent of us budget spent on social programs