Discretionary grant use rose during the Biden years

From 2021 to 2024, the Biden administration significantly increased discretionary grants, often via communities competing for funding. This rise reflects major federal spending packages, including the Inflation Reduction Act and CHIPS Act, and expanded Medicaid grants to states.

Bars show discretionary grants quadrupled from mostly under $200 billion each year from 2010 to 2020 to over $800 billion each year from 2021 to 2024.