The money that your federal government spends is divided into two categories: mandatory spending, where Congress unacceptably put it on autopilot, and discretionary spending, which has to be directed each year. For now, let?s set aside the runaway mandatory part and talk about the money that makes up Congress? traditional role in the power of the purse. Discretionary spending, this category that Congress originally oversaw, is made up of 12 annual bills known as appropriations. And to make this explanation even more complicated, this week, the House is voting on a so-called ?minibus,? the combination of six of the traditional 12 appropriation bills for the next fiscal year.