The Power of the Purse contains very basic information on how the budget process unfolds each year in Washington and how you as a citizen can play a part. The more you know and understand the process, the more you can make your lawmakers accountable for your tax dollars. How a nation spends its money says a great deal about its values as a culture and a society. This book is meant to be a layperson's guide to the budget discussion in Washington. Whether you are a U.S. citizen, a student, a foreign diplomat, a businessman, a lobbyist, or any other interested party, you will find this manual both informative and useful.