A closer look at next week …

After several weeks of commanding center stage on the budget, the House will recede a little this week to make room for the Senate, which is expected to hold test votes on the House GOP budget for fiscal 2011 and a Democratic amendment that restores many of the cuts supported by the House.

The Senate is not expected to accept the House GOP bill, H.R. 1, or the Democratic substitute. But the votes will allow the Senate to demonstrate that some form of legislation still needs to be developed that can pass the Senate, and that formal negotiations with the House are needed.

In a sense, that’s progress, and none too soon. The current funding bill expires March 18, and the House and Senate will have less than two weeks to figure it all out by the time the dust settles on the Senate votes. Or they can always pass another short-term extension.

In the midst of the budget effort, work on other bills is still expected in both chambers. Here's a look at how the week should proceed:

Monday

The Senate convenes at 2 p.m. and is expected to consider the nominations for district judgeships of Anthony Battaglia of California, Sue Myerscough of Illinois and James Shadid of Illinois. The House is not in session.

Tuesday

The House meets at 2 p.m., and votes are expected on two non-controversial public health bills, H.R. 525 and H.R. 570. Votes are expected by 6:30 p.m.

The Senate may hold its test budget votes.

Wednesday

The House and Senate meet in a joint session at 11 a.m. to receive Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard. Later in the day, the House will take up two rules for bills, H.R. 830 and H.R. 836, that would terminate federal mortgage programs.

The Senate is in session and could take up amendments to its patent reform bill for the rest of the week.

Thursday and Friday

The House meets at 10 a.m. Thursday and 9 a.m. Friday to complete consideration of H.R. 830 and H.R. 836.