The big issues this week include whether President Bush will carry through on his threat to veto the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) [3] expansion, which had broad support from Republicans in addition to all Democrats. Congressional Democrats are also likely this week to respond to Bush's request last week for an additional $42 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan [4], which brings 2008's total to $190 billion.

For information on what's happening in the committees, see below for a full listing of committee hearings, courtesy of GovTrack.us [5].

Hearings Schedules:

October 2, 2007

Senate

• Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions [6]
  To hold hearings to examine issues and challenges facing current mine safety disasters. [SD-430] -- Oct 2, 2007 at 10 a.m.
• Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works [7]
  To hold hearings to examine pending nominations. [SD-406] -- Oct 2, 2007 at 10 a.m.
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs [8] -- Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia
  To hold hearings to examine the National Capitol for pandemic preparedness. [SD-342] -- Oct 2, 2007 at 10 a.m.
• Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs [9]
  To hold hearings to examine the National Flood Insurance Program. [SD-538] -- Oct 2, 2007 at 10:30 a.m.

House

• House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture [10]
  Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, on Food Aid Programs]], 10 a.m., 2362A Rayburn.
• House Committee on Education and Labor [11]
  To mark up H.R. 3685, Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2007, 10 a.m., 2175 Rayburn.
• House Committee on Financial Services [12]
  Hearing entitled ``Systemic Risk: Examining Regulators' Ability To React to Threats in the Financial System,'' 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn.
• House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet [13]
  Hearing entitled ``Digital Future of the United States: Part VI: The Future of Telecommunications Competition,'' 9:30 a.m., 2123 Rayburn.
• House Committee on Financial Services [12]
  Hearing entitled ``Systemic Risk: Examining Regulators' Ability To React to Threats in the Financial System,'' 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn.
• House Committee on Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations [14]
  Hearing entitled ``Credit-Based Insurance Scores: Are They Fair?'' 2 p.m., 2128 Rayburn.
• House Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health [15]
  Hearing on Ethiopia and the State of Democracy: Effects on Human Rights and Humanitarian Conditions in the Ogaden and Somalia, 10 a.m., 2172 Rayburn.
• House Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere [16]
  Hearing on Leveraging Remittances for Families and Communities 2 p.m., 2172 Rayburn.
• House Committee on House Administration [17]
  Election Task Force, briefing on the Status of the Investigation into FL-13 Congressional District Contested Election, 4 p.m., 1310 Longworth.
• House Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law [18]
  Hearing on the United States Trustee Program: Watchdog or Attack Dog? 1 p.m., 2237 Rayburn.
• House Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security [19]
  Hearing on Gang Crime Prevention and the Need to Foster Innovative Solutions at the Federal Level, 1 p.m., 2141 Rayburn.
• House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform [20]
  Hearing on Private Security Contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan, 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn.
• House Committee on Science and Technology Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation [21]
  Hearing on United States Fire Administration Reauthorization: Addressing the Priorities of the Nation's Fire Service, 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn.
• House Committee on Science and Technology Subcommittee on Research and Science Education [22]
  Hearing on Nanotechnology Education, 2 p.m., 2318 Rayburn.
• House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Highways and Transit [23]
  Hearing on The Federal Safe Routes to School Program, 10 a.m., 2167 Rayburn.
• House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Subcommittee on Terrorism, Human Intelligence, Analysis and Counterintelligence [24]
  Executive, hearing on CIA Activity, Part I, 10 a.m., H-405 Capitol.

October 3, 2007

Senate

• Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs [9]
  To hold hearings to examine combating genocide in Darfur, focusing on the role of divestment and other policy tools. [SD-538] -- Oct 3, 2007 at 9:30 a.m.
• Senate Committee on Aging [25]
  To hold hearings to examine veterans health, focusing on ensuring the care of aging heroes. [SR-325] -- Oct 3, 2007 at 10 a.m.
• Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works [7] -- Clean Air and Nuclear Safety
  To hold hearings to examine the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's reactor oversight process. [SD-406] -- Oct 3, 2007 at 10 a.m.
• Senate Judiciary Committee [26] -- Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights
  To hold hearings to examine S.772, to amend the Federal antitrust laws to provide expanded coverage and to eliminate exemptions from such laws that are contrary to the public interest with respect to railroads. [SD-226] -- Oct 3, 2007 at 10:30 a.m.
  S. 772: Railroad Antitrust Enforcement Act of 2007
• Senate Committee on Foreign Relations [27]
  To hold hearings to examine Burma's saffron revolution. [SD-419] -- Oct 3, 2007 at 2:30 p.m.
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs [8] -- State, Local, and Private Sector Preparedness and Integration
  To hold hearings to examine pandemic influenza, focusing on state and local government efforts to prepare. [SD-342] -- Oct 3, 2007 at 2:30 p.m.

House

• House Committee on Agriculture Subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture [28]
  Hearing to examine the joint performance of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA, Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Department of Homeland Security in protecting U.S. agriculture from foreign pests and diseases, 10 a.m., 1300 Longworth.
• House Committee on Education and Labor [11]
  Hearing on Mine Safety: The Perspective of the Families at Crandall Canyon, 10:30 a.m., 2175 Rayburn.
• House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health [29]
  Hearing on H.R. 1108, Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, 10 a.m., 2123 Rayburn.
• House Committee on Financial Services [12]
  Full Committee, hearing entitled ''The Fight against Global Poverty and Inequality: The World Bank's Approach to Core Labor Standards and Employment Creation," 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn.
• House Committee on Financial Services Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government Sponsored Enterprises [30]
  Hearing entitled ''Need for Insurance Regulatory Reform," 2 p.m., 2128 Rayburn.
• House Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe [31]
  Hearing on America's Role in Addressing Outstanding Holocaust Issues, 1 p.m., 2172 Rayburn.
• House Committee on Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness, and Response [32]
  Hearing entitled ``Practicing Like We Play: Examining Homeland Security Exercises,'' 10 a.m., 311 Cannon.
• House Committee on House Administration [17]
  Full Committee, hearing on The Importance of Poll Workers: Best Practices and Recommendations, 2 p.m., 1310 Longworth.
• House Committee on Natural Resources [33]
  Full Committee, hearing on H.R. 2837, Indian Tribal Federal Recognition Administrative Procedures Act, 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth.
• House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and the District of Columbia [34]
  Hearing on Will Increased Postal Rates Put Mailers Out of Business? 2 p.m., 2154 Rayburn.
• House Committee on Science and Technology Subcommittee on Energy and Environment [35]
  Hearing on Energy Storage Technologies: State of Development for Stationary and Vehicular Applications, 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn.

October 4

Senate

• Senate Committee on Indian Affairs [36]
  To hold an oversight hearing to examine the backlogs at the Department of the Interior, focusing on land in to trust application, environmental impact statements, probate, and appraisals and lease approvals. [SD-628] -- Oct 4, 2007 at 9:30 a.m.
• Senate Committee on Foreign Relations [27]
  To hold hearings to examine United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, with Annexes, done at Montego Bay, December 10, 1982 (the Implementation of Part XI of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982, with Annex, adopted at New York, July 28, 1994 (the Agreement”), and signed by the United States, subject to ratification, on July 29, 1994 [SD-419] -- Oct 4, 2007 at 9:30 a.m.
• Senate Armed Services Committee [37]
  Business meeting to consider the nominations of John J. Young, Jr., of Virginia, to be Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, Douglas A. Brook, of California, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Navy, and Robert L. Smolen, of Pennsylvania, to be Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs, National Nuclear Security Administration. [SD-106] -- Oct 4, 2007 at 9:30 a.m.
• Senate Joint Economic Committee [38]
  To hold hearings to examine the cost of mass incarceration in the United States. [SH-216] -- Oct 4, 2007 at 10 a.m.
• Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs [9]
  To hold hearings to examine the regulation and supervision of industrial loan companies. [SD-538] -- Oct 4, 2007 at 10 a.m.
• Senate Judiciary Committee [26]
  Business meeting to consider S.1640, to amend chapter 13 of title 17, United States Code to clarify the definitions of a hull and a deck, S.2035, to maintain the free flow of information to the public by providing conditions for the federally compelled disclosure of information by certain persons connected with the news media, S.Res.326, supporting the goals and ideals of a National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims, H.Con.Res.193, recognizing all hunters across the United States for their continued commitment to safety, and the nomination of Thomas P. O'Brien, to be United States Attorney for the Central District of California. [SD226] -- Oct 4, 2007 at 10 a.m.
  S. 1640: Vessel Hull Design Protection Amendments of 2007
  S. 2035: Free Flow of Information Act of 2007
  S. Res. 326: A resolution supporting the goals and ideals of a National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims
  H. Con. Res. 193: Recognizing all hunters across the United States for their continued commitment to safety
• Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation [39]
  To hold hearings to examine the security of our nation's seaports. [SR-253] -- Oct 4, 2007 at 10 a.m.
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs [8] -- Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia
  To hold hearings to examine forestalling the coming pandemic, focusing on infectious disease surveillance overseas. [SD-342] -- Oct 4, 2007 at 2:30 p.m.
• Senate Judiciary Committee [26]
  To hold hearings to examine the implementation of the Hometown Heroes Survivors Benefits Act. [SD-226] -- Oct 4, 2007 at 2:30 p.m.
• Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation [39] -- Consumer Affairs, Insurance, and Automotive Safety
  To hold hearings to examine S.2045, to reform the Consumer Product Safety Commission to provide greater protection for children's products, to improve the screening of noncompliant consumer products, to improve the effectiveness of consumer product recall programs. [SR-253] -- Oct 4, 2007 at 2:30 p.m.
  S. 2045: CPSC Reform Act of 2007

House

• House Committee on Agriculture [40]
  Full Committee, hearing to review the labor needs of American agriculture, 11 a.m., 1300 Longworth.
• House Committee on Armed Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations [41]
  Hearing on the role of the Department of Defense in Provincial Reconstruction Teams in Afghanistan and Iraq, 9 a.m., 2212 Rayburn.
• House Committee on Budget [42]
  Hearing on Issues in Federal Government Financial Liabilities: Commercial Nuclear Waste, 10 a.m., 210 Cannon.
• House Committee on Education and Labor [11]
  Full Committee, hearing on H.R. 3185, 401(k) Fair Disclosure for Retirement Security Act of 2007, 10:30 a.m., 2175 Rayburn.
• House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials [43]
  Hearing entitled ``Environmental Justice and Toxics Release Inventory Report Program: Communities Have a Right To Know,'' 10 a.m., 2322 Rayburn.
• House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations [44]
  Hearing entitled ``Germs, Viruses, and Secrets: The Silent Proliferation of Bio-Laboratories in the United States,'' 10 a.m., 2123 Rayburn.
• House Committee on Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity [45]
  To hold a hearing entitled ``Reauthorization of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act,'' 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn.
• House Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Middle East and South Asia [46]
  Hearing on Counternarcotics Strategy and Police Training in Afghanistan, 9:30 a.m., 2172 Rayburn.
• House Committee on Homeland Security Subcommittee on Border, Maritime and Global Counterterrorism [47]
  Hearing entitled ``Homeland Security Beyond Our Borders: Examining the Status of Counterterrorism Coordination Overseas,'' 10 a.m., 311 Cannon.
• House Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties [48]
  Hearing on H.R. 3195, ADA Restoration Act of 2007; 10 a.m., 2141 Rayburn.
• House Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law [49]
  Hearing on Detention and Removal: Immigration Detainee Medical Care, 1 p.m., 2141 Rayburn.
• House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans [50]
  To mark up the following bills: H.R. 1464, Great Cats and Rare Canids Act of 2007; and H.R. 1771, Crane Conservation Act of 2007, 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth.
• House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform [20]
  Full Committee, hearing on Assessing the State of Iraqi Corruption, 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn.
• House Committee on Science and Technology Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation [21]
  To continue hearings on The Globalization of R&D and Innovation: How Do Companies Choose Where To Build R&D Facilities, 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn.
• House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health [51]
  Hearing on VA Research Programs, 10 a.m., 334 Cannon.
• House Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade and the Subcommittee on Oversight [52]
  Joint hearing on import safety, 10 a.m., 1100 Longworth.
• House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence [53]
  Full Committee, executive, briefing on Iran, 3 p.m., H-405 Capitol.
• House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations [54]
  Executive, to consider pending business, 3 p.m., H-405 Capitol.
• Joint Economic Committee [55]
  To hold hearings to examine the cost of mass incarceration in the United States, 10 a.m., SH-216.

October 5, 2007

House

• House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment [56] hearing on The Raw Sewage Overflow Community Right-to-Know Act, 10 a.m., 2167 Rayburn.