1.   Discretionary spending includes everything in the budget except the automatic payments for items like Social Security benefits and interest payments on the national debt.

2.   Social spending also includes investment in electricity generation and distribution, highways, ports and airports, he said.

3.   The spending includes the cost of building a network of wireless phones known as personal communications services, or PCS.

4.   The extra spending includes aid to those affected by fierce December storms and an oil spill, and extra spending on the health service and urban renewal.

5.   The stimulus spending should include both public works spending and reductions in corporate and income taxes, the panel said.

6.   This spending includes a temporary, four-year program to help states subsidize medicines for people with the lowest incomes or the highest expenses.

7.   The spending for ODA includes grants and loans to finance projects in developing nations as well as subsidies to non-governmental organisations.