The Week Ahead: All about the economy

Both chambers of Congress are back in session this week and the economy is on the agenda.

The supercommittee holds another public hearing, this time on previous deficit-reduction plans. Members will hear from the heads of other efforts to reduce the national debt.

{mosads}The Senate will take up a “minibus” early in the week as the appropriations process continues. House Appropriations Chairman Hal Rogers (R-Ky.) said last week that work is beginning on a one-month continuing resolution to fund the government past Nov. 19, which is when funding expires.

President Obama will be in France Thursday for a G-20 meeting. And first lady Michelle Obama will hit the fundraising trail again — holding events in New Orleans and Houston on Tuesday.

Monday, Oct. 31

President Obama is scheduled to meet with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair at the White House.

First lady Michelle Obama will host Caroline Kennedy, representatives of other first families and members of the White House Historical Association at the White House for a reception in honor of the organization’s 50th anniversary.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will deliver remarks at the opening dinner of the 2011 Annual Conference on U.S.-Turkey Relations, hosted by the American-Turkish Council, at the Washington Ritz-Carlton Hotel at 7:45 p.m.

The Senate is set to take up the appropriations “minibus” containing the 2012 Agriculture, Commerce, Justice, Science, Transportation and Housing and Urban Development bills. With the cloture vote already passed, limiting debate, final passage is expected Tuesday.

Herman Cain is in Washington, D.C., for multiple events, including a 9 a.m. discussion at the American Enterprise Institute and a 1 p.m. speech to the National Press Club.

Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) will discuss the need for bipartisan action on jobs at the University of Louisville as part of the McConnell Center’s fall lecture series. His speech begins at 8:30 a.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 1

The supercommittee holds a public hearing, titled “Overview of Previous Debt Proposals.” Witnesse include former Sen. Alan Simpson and former White House Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles of the Simpson-Bowles Commission, and former budget director Alice Rivlin and former Sen. Pete Domenici (R-N.M.) of the Bipartisan Policy Center. The hearing begins at 1 p.m. in 1100 Longworth.

President Obama will participate in interviews with local TV anchors from markets across the country.

Michelle Obama will be in New Orleans to speak at a Democratic National Committee (DNC) fundraising luncheon. She will also visit the Royal Castle Child Development Center as part of her Let’s Move! Campaign. Then she’ll go to Houston to speak at a DNC fundraising reception and dinner.

The House is back in session, with first votes expected at 6:30 p.m. Among the matters being voted on: a resolution reaffirming “In God We Trust” as the official motto of the United States and supporting and encouraging the public display of the national motto in all public buildings, public schools and other government institutions.

The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) will host a forum for the Republican presidential candidates in Pella, Iowa, moderated by Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad (R). GOP candidates scheduled to attend include Michele Bachmann, Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul, Rick Perry and Rick Santorum.

Clinton will travel to London to deliver a keynote address to the London Conference on Cyberspace. She will also meet with Foreign Secretary William Hague.

Wednesday, Nov. 2

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke holds a press conference in conjunction with its policy-setting committee hearing.

Clinton travels to Istanbul to participate in the Istanbul Conference for Afghanistan: Security and Cooperation in the Heart of Asia.

Michelle Obama hosts the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards at the White House at 2:30 p.m.

Herman Cain addresses the Congressional Health Care Caucus at 1:15 p.m. in 2218 Rayburn.

Transportation Security Administrator John Pistole testifies before the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee on “Ten Years After 9/11: The Next Wave in Aviation Security.” The hearing takes place at 9:30 a.m. in 342 Dirksen.

The Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit subcommittee of the House Financial Services Committee holds a hearing on “The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: The First 100 Days.” It begins at 10 a.m. in 2128 Rayburn.

The House Foreign Affairs Committee holds a full committee markup on legislation to strengthen Iran sanctions laws. It begins at 10 a.m. in 2172 Rayburn.

The House Natural Resources Committee holds its second hearing on the official report on the causes of the Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. It begins at 2 p.m. in 1324 Longworth.

The 2011 Congressional Football Game, which benefits Our Military Kids and the Capitol Police Memorial Fund, takes place at the Watkins Recreation Center at 7:35 p.m. It features a lawmaker team — led by Reps. Jon Runyan (R-N.J.), Heath Shuler (D-N.C.) and Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) — against the Capitol Police flag football squad.

Jorja Fox of “CSI” and Bob Barker of “The Price is Right” will hold a press conference to discuss legislation to improve animal treatment in entertainment. It begins at 10:30 a.m. in B-308 Rayburn.

Thursday, Nov. 3

Obama will be in Cannes, France, for the G-20 Summit.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee’s investigative panel meet to vote on whether to subpoena the White House for documents on the Solyndra case.

Commodity Futures Trading Commission Chairman Gary Gensler testifies before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on “Excessive Speculation and Compliance with the Dodd-Frank Act.” The hearing takes place at 9 a.m. in 342 Dirksen.

The Senate Judiciary Committee holds a full committee markup on legislation to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. The hearing takes place at 10 a.m. in 226 Dirksen.

Sens. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.) receive the 2011 American Patriot Award from the National Defense University at its annual gala, which begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Ronald Reagan Building.

Friday, Nov. 4

Obama returns to Washington.

The Iowa Republican Party holds its annual Ronald Reagan Dinner in Des Moines. Scheduled to attend are Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul, Rick Perry and Rick Santorum.

— Peter Schroeder contributed.