A closer look at next week…

The CJS bill represents the latest GOP effort to trim federal spending, and thus will likely meet some Democratic resistance on the floor. The bill offers $51.1 billion in funding, less than what was spent in 2008, and more than $700 million less than President Obama requested.

{mosads}The Senate meets Monday to take up debate on a bill keeping the interest rate on federally subsidized student loans low, at 3.4 percent, for another year. The Senate bill pays for this extension by subjecting more income from high-income earners to the payroll tax, a move likely to draw opposition from Senate Republicans as the week progresses.

The bill, from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), stands in contrast to a House-passed bill that would pay for the extension by shutting down a preventive health fund created in the 2010 healthcare law.

The House will also take up legislation to eliminate the current requirement that Congress cut billions of dollars in FY 2013 discretionary spending, part of the GOP’s effort to avoid up to $600 billion in cuts over the next decade. The House Budget Committee will mark up this legislation on Monday, in preparation for floor consideration that is expected to take place later in the week.

The surprise of the week could be another hearing of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China to discuss the Obama administration’s decision to allow Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng to leave the U.S. Embassy in China, given that he had just escaped house arrest. Administration officials said it was Chen’s decision to leave the embassy, but that he later changed his mind and sought passage to the U.S.

Republicans hammered the Obama administration last week for its failure to do more to help Chen escape his captors, and said Chen should be granted asylum. But that anger may subside, as China last week agreed to let Chen and his family leave to attend a U.S. university.

Below is a more detailed look at the week ahead:

Monday

The House meets at 2 p.m. for work on suspension bills, including H.R. 4097, to authorize maintenance at and expansion of the John F. Kennedy Center. Others are:

H.R. 2297 (as amended by the Senate), to promote the development of the Southwest waterfront of the District of Columbia.

S. 1302, to convey a parcel of land to the city of Tracy, California.

Four resolutions will also be approved allowing the use of the Capitol Grounds for various ceremonies. These bills are H.Con.Res. 105, 106, 117 and 118.

The Senate returns at 2 p.m. and will resume consideration of S. 2343, the Stop Student Loan Interest Rate Hike act.

At 4:30 p.m., the Senate is expected to turn to three judicial nominations: Jacqueline Nguyen to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit, Kristine Baker to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Arkansas, and John Lee to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois. Confirmation votes are expected at 5:30 p.m.

The Senate is in for the rest of the week but has no definite plans beyond Monday.

Tuesday – Wednesday

The House meets at 10 a.m. for speeches and noon for work on three bills that will be considered under a rule:

H.R. 5326, making appropriations for the Departments of Commerce and State and related agencies.

H.R. 4966, the Sequester Replacement act, and the Sequester Replacement Reconciliation act.

Two other bills will be considered under a suspension of the rules at some point during the week:

H.R. 4133, the United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation act, and

H.R. 2072, the Securing American Jobs Through Exports act. This is the bill that would reauthorize the Export-Import Bank through FY 2014, which reflects an agreement both parties announced late Friday.

Thursday – Friday

The House meets at 9 a.m. to finish any unfinished work from the week, which could include votes on amendments to the appropriations bill. Last votes are expected by 3 p.m., and no votes are planned in the House on Friday.