[Dan Zachary]

2013 Mandatory spending $2.3T
2012 Mandatory spending $2.252T

2013 Discretionary spending $1.2T
2012 Discretionary spending $1.319T

Different than what they are claiming.

http://useconomy.about.com/od/usfederalbudget/p/US-Government-Federal-Budget-FY2012-Summary.htm

[Jim Noble]

2013 Mandatory spending $2.3T 2012 Mandatory spending $2.252T

There is no such thing as "mandatory" spending.

ALL spending (except, arguably, for a Navy) is set by the House of Representatives, which is elected, entire, every two years.

Nothing that a House did in a previous Congress (except, again arguably, Naval procurement) can bind a new House to spend a nickel.