In the coming week the Senate will continue to debate the Fiscal Year 2008 defense budget [3] after last week's testimony by Gen. David Petraeus and Amb. Ryan Crocker, which will provide a platform for general debate on the Iraq War and measures to begin withdrawing troops. It will also look at a bill to provide a congressional seat [4] for Washington, D.C. The House will take on the Federal Aviation Administration [5] section of the federal budget [6] and, through the Financial Services Committee [7], will take up legislation to increase federal backing of low and middle income mortgages [8].

Know anything about these issues? Click the links to the articles above and add what you find. A complete list of the week's congressional hearings are below, courtesy of Govtrack [9].

Hearings Schedules:

September 18, 2007

Senate

• Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation [10]
  To hold an oversight hearing on the National Football League retirement system. [SR-253] -- Sep 18, 2007 at 10 a.m.
• Senate Judiciary Committee [11]
  To hold hearings to examine corporate fraud prosecutions and the attorney-client privilege under the McNulty Memorandum. [SD-226] -- Sep 18, 2007 at 10:30 a.m.
• Senate Select Committee on Intelligence [12]
  Closed business meeting to consider pending intelligence matters. [SH-219] -- Sep 18, 2007 at 2:30 p.m.

House

• House Committee on Armed Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations [13]
  Hearing on the benefits and medical care for Federal and U.S. contractor employees deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, 10 a.m., 2212 Rayburn.
• House Committee on Education and Labor Subcommittee on Health Families and Communities [14]
  Hearing on the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, 10 a.m., 2175 Rayburn.
• House Committee on Education and Labor Subcommittee on Workforce Protections [15]
  Hearing on the Family and Medical Leave Act: Extending Coverage to Military Families Left at Home, 2 p.m., 2175 Rayburn.
• House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health [16]
  Hearing entitled ``Answering the Call: Medical Monitoring and Treatment of 9/11 Health Effects,'' 10 a.m., 2322 Rayburn.
• House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations [17]
  Hearing entitled ``Nuclear Terrorism Prevention: Status Report on the Federal Government's Assessment of New Radiation Detection Monitors,'' 10 a.m., 2123 Rayburn.
• House Committee on Financial Services [18]
  To consider the following:
  H.R. 2868, to eliminate the exemption from State regulation for certain securities designated by national securities;
  H.R. 2930, Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Act of 2007;
  H.R. 2787, CJ's Home Protection Act of 2007; a measure to require rapid implementation of guidelines and regulations regarding the accuracy of consumer information furnished to consumer reporting agencies that were required to be established by the Fair and Accurate Credit Translations Act of 2003 and have not been implemented, to provide that the Federal Trade Commission shall take the lead in implementation of the guidelines and regulations; a measure to include all banking agencies within the existing regulatory authority under the Federal Trade Commission Act with respect to depository institutions; and to consider pending Committee business, 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn.
• House Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia [19]
  Hearing on U.S. Relations with Saudi Arabia: Oil, Anxiety, and Ambivalence, 1:30 p.m., 2172 Rayburn.
• House Committee on Homeland Security [20]
  Hearing entitled ``The Grades Are In--Is the Department of Homeland Security Measuring Up?'' 2:30 p.m., 311 Cannon.
• House Committee on the Judiciary [21]
  Hearing on Warrantless Surveillance and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act: The Role of Checks and Balances in Protecting Americans' Privacy Rights (Part II), 11 a.m., 2141 Rayburn.
• House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands [22]
  Oversight hearing entitled ``Management of the Statue of Liberty National Monument,'' 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth.
• House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power [23]
  Hearing on the following bills: H.R. 2733, Trinity River Restoration Fund Act of 2007; and H.R. 2085, McGee Creek Project Pipeline and Associated Facilities Conveyance Act, 10 a.m., 1334 Longworth.
• House Committee on Veterans' Affairs [24]
  Hearing on the state of the Department of Veterans Affairs, 11 a.m., 334 Cannon.
• House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence [25]
  Hearing on FISA, 10 a.m., 2118 Rayburn.
• House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence [25]
  Executive, briefing on current efforts against Biological threats, 2 p.m., H-405 Capitol.

September 19, 2007

Senate

• Senate Committee on Rules and Administration [26]
  To hold a hearing to examine S.1905, to provide for a rotating schedule for regional selection of delegates to a national Presidential nominating convention. [SR-301] -- Sep 19, 2007 at 9:30 a.m.
  S. 1905: Regional Presidential Primary and Caucus Act of 2007
• Senate Committee on Indian Affairs [27]
  To hold hearings to examine the process of federal recognition of Indian tribes. [SD-628] -- Sep 19, 2007 at 9:30 a.m.
• Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs [28]
  To hold oversight hearings to examine information technology. [SD-562] -- Sep 19, 2007 at 9:30 a.m.
• Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works [29] -- Transportation Safety, Infrastructure Security, and Water Quality
  To hold hearings to examine America's wastewater infrastructure needs in the 21st century. [SD-406] -- Sep 19, 2007 at 10 a.m.
• Senate Committee on Aging [30]
  To hold hearings to examine preparing for the digital television transition, focusing on how senior citizens will be affected. [SD-106] -- Sep 19, 2007 at 10:30 a.m.
• Senate Judiciary Committee [11]
  To hold hearings to examine the “material support to terrorist organizations” bar to admission to asylum and resettlement in the United States, focusing on the denial of refuge to the persecuted. [SD-226] -- Sep 19, 2007 at 2:30 p.m.

House

• House Ways and Means Committee [31]
  Executive, briefing on Hot-Spots -- Sep 19, 2007 at 8:45 a.m.
• House Natural Resources Committee [32]
  Full Committee, oversight hearing on Diversifying Native Economies -- Sep 19, 2007 at 10 a.m.
• House Veterans' Affairs Committee [33]
  Full Committee, hearing on the findings of the President's Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors -- Sep 19, 2007 at 10 a.m.
• House Education and Labor Committee [34]
  Full Committee, hearing on H.R. 1644, Re-Empowerment of Skilled and Professional Employees and Construction Tradesworkers (RESPECT) Act -- Sep 19, 2007 at 10 a.m.
• House Foreign Affairs Committee [35]
  Full Committee, hearing on Assessment of the Administration's September Report on the Status of U.S. Political and Military Efforts in Iraq -- Sep 19, 2007 at 10 a.m.
• House Ways and Means Committee Subcommittee on Health [36]
  To mark up H.R. 1424, Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act of 2007 -- Sep 19, 2007 at 10 a.m.
• House Ways and Means Committee Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support [37]
  Hearing on Unemployment Insurance to Reduce Barriers for Jobless Workers -- Sep 19, 2007 at 1 p.m.
• House Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law [38], hearing on the Regulatory Improvement Act of 2007 -- Sep 19, 2007 at 2 p.m.
• House Foreign Affairs Committee Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere [39]
  Hearing on U.S.-Brazil Relations -- Sep 19, 2007 at 2:30 p.m.

September 20, 2007

Senate

• Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs [28]
  To hold joint hearings with the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs to examine the legislative presentation by the American Legion. -- Sep 20, 2007 at 9:30 a.m.
• Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship [40]
  To hold hearings to examine expanding opportunities for women entrepreneurs, focusing on the future of women's small business programs. [SR-428A] -- Sep 20, 2007 at 10 a.m.
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs [41] -- Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security
  To hold hearings to examine the Office of Management and Budget's oversight on ongoing information systems projects, focusing on the efficacy of the management practices use by agencies to ensure the success of the projects. [SD-342] -- Sep 20, 2007 at 2:30 p.m.
• Senate Select Committee on Intelligence [12]
  To hold closed hearings to examine certain intelligence matters. [SH-219] -- Sep 20, 2007 at 2:30 p.m.
• Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources [42] -- Public Lands and Forests
  To hold hearings to examine S.1433, to amend the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act to provide competitive status to certain Federal employees in the State of Alaska, S.1143, to designate the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and the surrounding Federal land in the State of Florida as an Outstanding Natural Area and as a unit of the National Landscape System, S.2034, to amend the Oregon Wilderness Act of 1984 to designate the Copper Salmon Wilderness and to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate segments of the North and South Forks of the Elk River in the State of Oregon as wild or scenic rivers, S.1377, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey to the City of Henderson, Nevada, certain Federal land located in the City, S.1608, to provide for the conveyance of certain land in Clark County, Nevada, for use by the Nevada National Guard, H.R.815, to provide for the conveyance of certain land in Clark County, Nevada, for use by the Nevada National Guard, S.1740, to amend the Act of February 22, 1889, and the Act of July 2, 1862, to provide for the management of public land trust funds in the State of North Dakota, S.1802, to adjust the boundaries of the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness in the State of Idaho, S.1803, to authorize the exchange of certain land located in the State of Idaho, S.1939, to provide for the conveyance of certain land in the Santa Fe National Forest, New Mexico, and S.1940, to reauthorize the Rio Puerco Watershed Management Program. [SD-366] -- Sep 20, 2007 at 2:30 p.m.
  S. 1433: Thomas P. O'Hara Public Land Career Opportunity Act of 2007
  S. 1143: Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area Act of 2007
  S. 2034: A bill to amend the Oregon Wilderness Act of 1984 to designate the Copper Salmon Wilderness and to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate segments of the North and South Forks of the Elk River in the State of Oregon as wild or scenic rivers, and for other purposes
  S. 1377: Southern Nevada Limited Transition Area Act
  S. 1608: Southern Nevada Readiness Center Act
  H.R. 815: Southern Nevada Readiness Center Act
  S. 1740: North Dakota Enabling Act and First Morrill Act Amendments Act of 2007
  S. 1802: Idaho Wilderness Boundary Modification Act of 2007
  S. 1803: Idaho Land Conveyance Act of 2007
  S. 1939: Santa Fe National Forest Title Claim Resolution Act
  S. 1940: Rio Puerco Watershed Management Program Reauthorization Act

House

• House Ways and Means Committee [31]
  Hearing on FISA with the DNI -- Sep 20, 2007 at 9 a.m.
• House Small Business Committee [43]
  To mark up an Investment measure -- Sep 20, 2007 at 10 a.m.
• House Oversight and Government Reform Committee [44]
  Full Committee, hearing on Assessing the State of Iraqi Corruption; and to mark up the following measures:
  H. Con. Res. 193: Recognizing all hunters across the United States for their continued commitment to safety
  H. Res. 303: Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that a day ought to be established to bring awareness to the issue of missing persons
  H. Res. 584: Supporting the goals and ideals of "National Life Insurance Awareness Month"
  H. Res. 605: Supporting the goals and ideals of Gold Star Mothers Day
  H. Res. 641: Acknowledging the importance of understanding the history of the United States of America and recognizing the need to foster civic responsibility in all citizens
  H.R. 2089: To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 701 Loyola Avenue in New Orleans, Louisiana, as the "Louisiana Armed Services Veterans Post Office"
  H.R. 2276: To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 203 North Main Street in Vassar, Michigan, as the "Corporal Christopher E. Esckelson Post Office Building"
  H.R. 3233: To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at Highway 49 South in Piney Woods, Mississippi, as the "Laurence C. and Grace M. Jones Post Office Building"
  H.R. 3297: To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 950 West Trenton Avenue in Morrisville, Pennsylvania, as the "Nate DeTample Post Office Building"
  H.R. 3307: To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 570 Broadway in Bayonne, New Jersey, as the "Dennis P. Collins Post Office Building"
  H.R. 3308: To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 216 East Main Street in Atwood, Indiana, as the "Lance Corporal David K. Fribley Post Office"
  H.R. 3325: To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 235 Mountain Road in Suffield, Connecticut, as the "Corporal Stephen R. Bixler Post Office"
  H.R. 3382: To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 200 North William Street in Goldsboro, North Carolina, as the "Philip A. Baddour, Sr. Post Office"
  H.R. 3518: To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1430 South Highway 29 in Cantonment, Florida, as the "Charles H. Hendix Post Office Building"
  H.R. 1236: To make permanent the authority of the United States Postal Service to issue a special postage stamp to support breast cancer research
  H.R. 1110: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow Federal civilian and military retirees to pay health insurance premiums on a pretax basis and to allow a deduction for TRICARE supplemental premiums
• House Veterans' Affairs Committee [33]
  Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, oversight hearing on Licensure and Certification of Transitioning Veterans -- Sep 20, 2007 at 2
• House Foreign Affairs Committee Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and the Global Environment [45]
  Hearing on U.S. Assistance in East Asia and the Pacific: An Overview -- Sep 20, 2007 at 2 p.m.
• House Natural Resources Committee Subcommittee on Insular Affairs [46]
  To mark up H.R. 53, Virgin Islands National Park School Lease Act -- Sep 20, 2007 at 3 p.m.
  H.R. 53: Virgin Islands National Park School Lease Act