After a two week break for Easter, the U.S. Congress is back in action with Democrats hoping to focus on jobs and the economy, but some other issues are likely to dominate at least part of the run to the November Elections.
The next break for the House and Senate is a week off around Memorial Day, meaning that lawmakers face a seven-week stretch of work. The Easter-Memorial Day time frame is often the longest time in session without a break each year.
It's easy to see that keeping lawmakers focused on one main issue will be difficult - among the matters that could top the agenda in Congress:
+ The ongoing battle over paying for extra jobless benefits
+ Democratic plans for a new jobs/stimulus bill
+ The continuing debate over the health reform law
+ Senate debate on a Wall Street reform bill
+ Political battling over a new nuke treaty with Russia
+ Work on next year's budget bills
+ A vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court
Of course, something new could get added depending on current events. For example, last week's mine disaster in West Virginia will get reviewed by committees in both the House and Senate.
As for what the White House wants, the President has already said that he wants a financial reform bill to be voted on by the Senate before lawmakers leave for a Memorial Day break.
That won't be easy, as the debate is sure to get slowed down on the Senate floor, as both parties battle over the right mix for a federal financial oversight role, all an effort to prevent a repeat of the 2008 Wall Street Collapse.
Before the end of May, also look for the Democratic Congress to set out the budget framework for the next fiscal year, with what's known as the 'Budget Resolution.'
That is usually finished by April, but was pushed back because of the extended health care debate.
It means that the budget debate will certainly be tinged with fiscal arguments that we heard in the health reform battles of the last year, giving Republicans a perfect opportunity to make the case against reform, while Democrats seem certain to showcase their support for the plan, highlighting the Congressional Budget Office estimates about its impact on the deficit.
It will be interesting to interview members about their time at home. Some will return spooked by opposition on health care. Some will return buoyed by support.
It should be a busy run to Memorial Day, as everything Congress does - or does not do - could well have an impact on the November elections.
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