Scheduling

The world didn't end, which makes us even more comfortable in our prediction that the House and Senate will both return at 2 p.m. Monday.

The Senate on Monday evening is planning a cloture vote on S. 1038, which would extend Patriot Act surveillance authorities until June 1, 2015. That bill reflects a deal worked out late last week between House and Senate leaders on these surveillance techniques, which expire this Friday.

When the House returns, it will take up five non-controversial bills under a suspension of House rules. Four of these are related to veterans, while the fifth extends funding for the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, details here.

Congress returns next week with two key national security issues on its plate: an extension of intelligence surveillance authority, and passage of the FY 2012 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

The Senate adjourned on Thursday night shortly before 7 p.m., just after it quickly passed a one-year extension to the Small Business Act.

The Senate approved the bill, S. 990, by unanimous consent. It extends certain authorities of the Small Business Administration from May 31, 2011 through May 31, 2012.

The Senate also approved three minor resolutions, and adjourned until 2 p.m. May 23.

With the House in recess next week, the Democrat-led Senate will take center stage as Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) tries to move controversial legislation to raise taxes on oil companies.

The vote will test how much support there is for stripping tax breaks from profitable oil companies that are also enjoyed by other companies. The legislation isn't expected to pass, but Democrats are hoping it can help them win a debate with Republicans over how best to lower the deficit and deal with high gas prices.

The House meets Friday at 9 a.m. to immediately take up work on H.R. 754, the Intelligence Authorization Act, and will start with a 30-minute debate on a Republican amendment congratulating intelligence agencies for their work that led to the killing of Osama bin Laden.

After that, votes on five amendments and the bill itself are expected by late morning.

These are the last votes before the House adjourns for a full week. Members return the week of May 23, but the Senate is in session next week.

Grimm-Reed amendment does not include the military and will likely be the only House honors for the mission.

The House meets at 10 a.m. for speeches and again at noon to finish work on an energy bill and begin work on an intelligence authorization bill.

Members will first complete work on H.R. 1231, the Reversing President Obama's Offshore Moratorium Act. The House rejected three Democratic amendments on Wednesday night, and is expected to reject four more before passing the bill.

The House will then start debate on a rule for H.R. 754, the Intelligence Authorization Act for the rest of fiscal 2011. Republicans want to pass this bill to give greater specificity to intelligence spending for the rest of the fiscal year, and the bill includes a classified annex detailing these spending choices.

The House meets at 10 a.m. for morning speeches and then again at noon to consider two energy bills.

Members will vote on six Democratic amendments to H.R. 1229, the Putting the Gulf of Mexico Back to Work Act. This bill would set timelines for Department of Interior decisions on drilling permits in the Gulf.

The House convenes at noon for speeches and then 2 p.m. for work on two bills.

H.R. 1229, the Putting the Gulf of Mexico Back to Work Act, would require the Department of the Interior to act on Gulf drilling permit applications. House Republicans made 11 Democratic amendments in order, and they will be considered today before a final vote on the bill, also today.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) signaled Monday that the Senate would soon turn to a controversial piece of legislation to do away with billions of dollars in tax breaks for large oil producers and increase breaks for clean-energy producers.

As Reid welcomed Sen. Dean Heller (R-Nev.) to the Senate Monday afternoon. he noted the upper chamber would soon have opportunities to "make tough choices" and referred to the upcoming energy legislation.