As Congress' primary function remains raising and spending money, today we examined the process by which Congress raises and spends money,: revenue, authorization, and appropriation bills. With respect to revenue bills, we identified the power of the committees that examine when and how to raise taxes, and the role of each chamber in the enactment of revenue bills. On the spending side, we noted the purpose off the appropriation process, and then discussed how certain spending such as social security and medicare are permanently funded and thus deemed"entitlements". I explained the controversy surrounding entitlements and the intergenerational struggle implicit in continuing these programs in their present form. Last, I discussed "earmarks" and the controversy surrounding these projects which serve local communities rather than the country at large. For homework , I assigned reading and study guide questions regarding lobbying and PACs.