discretionary

Walmart, which continues to dominate by offering deals to pinched consumers, said middle- and low-income shoppers are reining in spending and putting fewer discretionary items in their carts.

“We need sustained action that goes beyond discretionary spending.”

In discretionary categories such as toys, furniture and hobby supplies, people expect to spend less.

A shutdown takes place if an agreement is not reached by the start of the fiscal year on 1 October, meaning all non-essential discretionary functions stop.

More than a decade ago - in 2013 - lawmakers were accused of pocketing billions from their discretionary budgets for ghost projects.