1.   For the first time, we have the chance to examine the anatomy of a secret government operation.

2.   As treasurer, Richards increased her knowledge of government operations and finances, and she built on the political base she had started years earlier.

3.   At issue is a giant spending bill needed to fund government operations when the current stopgap measure expires Friday.

4.   Before that it will have to raise taxes or cut federal spending to replace the surplus Social Security taxes now being spent on other government operations.

5.   Both Republicans and Democrats in Congress have vowed not to used that surplus for general government operations.

6.   A covert action, by formal definition, is a secret government intelligence operation designed to change the course of events abroad.

7.   A continuing resolution, or temporary spending bill, injects uncertainty into government operations.

8.   A previous extension funded government operations only through Monday night.

9.   A third temporary spending bill likely will be necessary because funding for government operations expires Friday.

10.   A veto would set up a showdown between the White House and Congress that could temporarily disrupt government operations until it is resolved.