Tuesday: They're back …

The House and Senate both return Tuesday at 2 p.m., but rather than tackle the tough issues surrounding the "fiscal cliff," both chambers have a relatively light schedule.

Aside from the leadership elections and new-member orientation sessions, Republicans and Democrats have yet to negotiate any agreement on how to adjust pending tax increases and spending cuts. The House plans to be in two weeks in November and two in December — presumably, the heavy legislative lifting will come in December.

However, floor speeches in both chambers about how best to avoid the fiscal cliff can be expected as early as today.

When the House meets Tuesday afternoon, it will consider up to four suspension bills. They are:

• H.R. 6190, the Asthma Inhalers Relief Act, which would circumvent an international treaty aimed at reducing ozone-depleting chemicals and allow the sale of 1 million Primatene Mist inhalers;

• H.R. 6371, the Streamlining Claims Processing for Federal Contractor Employees Act;

• S. 1956, the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme Prohibition Act, which is aimed at blocking proposed European environmental taxes on U.S. airlines; and

• H.R. 6586, to extend the application of certain space launch liability provisions through 2014.

The Senate will meet to resume debate on S. 3525, the Sportsmen's Act, which would expand access to federal land for hunters. A vote on a motion to proceed to this bill is expected at 5:30 p.m.

---