Spending on certain programs that is required by existing law is referred to as
a. mandatory spending
b. discretionary spending
c. medicaid
d. an entitlement

Spending on certain programs that is required by existing law is referred to as mandatory spending. The correct option among all the options given in the question is option "a". In this case the government has to spend to abide by the law. In case of discretionary spending, the government has to choice to slect on the matter in which to spend.

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