A closer look at next week…

Congress has long felt Americans' pain at the pump, and next week plans to take up legislative proposals that members hope will lower gasoline prices, or at least signal to energy markets that relief is coming.

The House will take up two bills that attack what Republicans believe is the cause of higher gas prices: the Obama administration's resistance to expanding U.S. oil and gas supplies. The two bills would end what Republicans say is a de facto moratorium on offshore drilling, and establish a more predictable framework for considering Gulf of Mexico drilling permits, including a limit on the time the government can take to accept or reject a permit.

In the Senate, Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) is expected to start pushing his own energy bill. That bill is expected to strip oil companies of the tax breaks they now enjoy, which Democrats say are unnecessary subsidies to the industry.

The House will also look to pass a specific authorization for intelligence agencies for the rest of FY 2011, and it is possible more calls will be heard in both bodies for an end to U.S. aid to Pakistan in light of arguments that Pakistan was sheltering Osama bin Laden.

Below is a more detailed look at the week ahead:

Monday

The House is not in session.

The Senate returns at 2 p.m. and is expected to hold a vote on a judicial nominee that evening.

Tuesday

The House convenes at 2 p.m. to take up H.R. 1229, the Putting the Gulf of Mexico Back to Work Act. The House considers this bill under a rule that makes 11 Democratic amendments in order.

A House vote under a suspension of the rules is also expected on H.R. 1016, which would require the administration to produce a report on the rebuilding progress in Haiti after the January 2010 earthquake.

The Senate is in session and might work on the Baucus energy bill for the rest of the week.

Wednesday

The House convenes at noon to consider H.R. 1231, the Reversing President Obama's Offshore Moratorium Act. The Rules Committee will approve a rule for this bill on Tuesday night.

Thursday

The House convenes at noon to start consideration of H.R. 754, the Intelligence Authorization Act for FY 2011. A rule for this bill is expected to be approved by Wednesday night.

Friday

The House starts work at 9 a.m. to conclude work on H.R. 754.

---