A closer look at next week…

And with no outward signs of a deal on how to cut mandatory
spending, there is increasing chatter about what to do if there is no
agreement. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) in the last few weeks has said he would
reject any attempt to implement the automatic $500 billion in defense cuts that
would take hold without a deal.

Those comments have led some scribblers to openly suggest
that Congress could surprise everyone by passing a new law to eliminate the
required sequestration of defense and other funds if the supercommittee fails.

While this idea is still in an embryonic stage, the issue
could get stirred up a little when the House Armed Services Committee meets
Wednesday to discuss the specific question of the economic consequences of the
defense sequestration. 

As the story of the supercommittee slowly unfolds in the
background, the House returns from a week away to face the ever-imminent issue
of jobs. The key bill up for a vote next week would repeal the requirement that
federal, state and local governments to withhold 3 percent of payments to
contractors until those contractors pay all taxes owed.

Republicans and Democrats alike have agreed that the current
law should be scrapped, due to high implementation costs and the strains it would
put on the already struggling construction sector.

Nonetheless, the Senate rejected a GOP proposal to scrap the
law this week, due to opposition to the $30 billion rescission in federal funds
that bill required. The House GOP bill has no offset, and is expected to pass
easily. Still, it leaves open the question of how to get a version through the
Senate.

With the Senate out, the House also returns to a full slate
of hearings. On Thursday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will present her
long-awaited thoughts on the status of U.S. operations in Afghanistan and
Pakistan.

Below is a more detailed look at the week ahead:

Monday

The House meets at 2 p.m. for work on seven suspension
bills, while the Senate is out all week. Votes on the following bills are
expected at 6:30 p.m.:

H.R. 295, to amend the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act
of 1998 to authorize funds to acquire hydrographic data and provide
hydrographic services specific to the Arctic for safe navigation, delineating
the United States extended continental shelf, and the monitoring and
description of coastal changes,

H.R. 441, the Kantishna Hills Renewable Energy Act,

H.R. 818, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to allow
for prepayment of repayment contracts between the United States and the Uintah
Water Conservancy District,

H.R. 1160, the McKinney Lake National Fish Hatchery
Conveyance Act,

H.R. 320, the Distinguished Flying Cross National Memorial
Act,

H.R. 461, the South Utah Valley Electric Conveyance Act, and

H.R. 2594, the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme
Prohibition Act.

Tuesday

The House meets at noon for legislative business. Work is
likely on H.R. 1904, the Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act.
This bill would permit a land swap allowing a mining company to mine for copper
in Arizona. The House Rules Committee is expected to approve a rule for this
bill on Monday evening.

Work on three additional suspension bills is possible today
and throughout the week:

H.R. 2447, to grant the congressional gold medal to the
Montford Point Marines,

H.R. 2527, the National Baseball Hall of Fame Commemorative
Coin Act, and

H.R. 2042, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Business
Travel Cards Act.

Wednesday 

The House meets at noon for legislative work, and will start
work on two bills. One is H.R. 2576, which would amend the healthcare law to
limit the availability of Medicaid and other health programs only to those in
financial need.

House Republicans argue that the health law used a method
for calculating modified adjusted gross income that makes it too easy for
middle-income earners to qualify for these programs. The GOP says the bill
would bring the calculation back in line with the standard definition of
modified adjusted gross income, and thus save these health programs $13
billion.

The second bill, H.R. 674, would repeal the 3 percent
withholding rule. Rules for both of these bills are expected to be approved by
the Rules Committee on Tuesday, which will allow floor consideration Wednesday
and Thursday.

Thursday

The House meets at 9 a.m. to conclude any unfinished
legislative work. Final votes are expected by 3 p.m.

Friday

The House is not in session.