Final answer:
The legal authorization for the government to make expenditures for specific purposes is reported in a discretionary budget. Examples of discretionary spending include military bases, welfare, and assistance to farmers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The legal authorization for the government to make expenditures for specific purposes is reported in a Discretionary budget. The federal budget consists of two main parts: mandatory spending and discretionary spending. Mandatory spending is authorized by law and continues without the need for further approval by Congress, while discretionary spending requires annual authorization. Examples of discretionary spending include military bases, welfare, and assistance to farmers.