President Obama attends the National Prayer Service this morning. In the evening, inauguration activities continue, with the Staff Inaugural Ball.

The Senate meets this morning and may take up H.R. 152, the House-passed measures providing relief for Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts. At some point during the week, the Senate may take up filibuster reform. Democrats and Republicans are discussing potential options this week.

The House meets today at 10:00 a.m. and will consider the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act (H.R. 307). On Wednesday, the House will likely take up a bill extending the debt limit for three months. The Majority Leader’s schedule is available here.

Senate Hearings: THURSDAY—The Foreign Relations Committee holds a hearing on the nomination of Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) to serve as Secretary of State.

House Hearings: TUESDAY—The Ways and Means Committee holds a hearing on the debt limit.

Executive Branch: Vice President Biden joins the President at this morning’s National Prayer Service and at the Staff Inaugural Ball later today.

Economic Reports: From The New York Times: “Data will include sales of existing homes for December (Tuesday); weekly jobless claims and leading economic indicators for December (Thursday); and sales of new homes for December (Friday).” The Washington Post has additional information here.

President Obama receives the credentials from a number of new foreign ambassadors today. The President’s schedule for the rest of the week is to be determined, though he is scheduled to be in Washington.

The Senate is out this week.

The House meets this afternoon and will take up the Sandy Recovery Improvement Act, which would expedite the payment of disaster relief funds. (More information about the bill is available here.) Later in the week, the House will consider a measure providing funds for the Hurricane Sandy recovery, the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act (H.R. 152). You can see the Majority Leader’s schedule here.

Executive Branch: Defense Secretary Leon Panetta leaves for Europe today and is set to visit Portugal, Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom. Acting Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank is attending the Detroit Auto Show. On Friday, she addresses the Advanced Manufacturing Task Force, an initiative of the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

Economic Reports: From The New York Times: “Data scheduled to be released include retail sales for December, the Producer Price Index for December and business inventories for November (Tuesday); the Consumer Price Index for December, industrial production for December and the Federal Reserve Beige Book (Wednesday); weekly jobless claims, housing starts for December and the Philadelphia Fed index for January (Thursday); and the Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index for January (Friday).” Here is more information from The Washington Post.

President Obama is expected to make several personnel announcements today, likely nominating former Sen. Chuck Hagel to serve as secretary of defense and Counterterrorism Adviser John Brennan to serve as CIA director.

After welcoming new members to the Capitol last week, the Senate and House are taking this week off. The House returns next week, and the Senate returns the week after.

Executive Branch: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton returns to work today, Vice President Biden is in the Virgin Islands until tomorrow, and Treasury Secretary Geithner meets with his Israeli counterpart, Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz.

Economic Reports: From The New York Times: “Data to be released this week include consumer credit for November (Tuesday); weekly jobless claims and wholesale trade inventories for November (Thursday); and the trade deficit for November and import prices for December (Friday).” The Washington Post has additional information here.

President Obama’s schedule is in flux after the tragedy in Connecticut. Today, he is holding meetings at the White House.

The Senate meets this afternoon and will consider a bill (H.R. 1) providing disaster relief for the recovery from Hurricane Sandy.

The House meets at noon today and is scheduled to consider a number of noncontroversial pieces of legislation throughout the week. It could consider the defense authorization bill (H.R. 4310) and perhaps other measures that need to pass by year’s end. See the Majority Leader’s calendar here.

Senate Hearings: WEDNESDAY—The Judiciary Committee considers “The State of the Right to Vote After the 2012 Election.” The Banking Committee holds a hearing on consumer credit reports. THURSDAY—The Banking Committee looks at the recovery efforts after Hurricane Sandy.

House Hearings: WEDNESDAY—The Judiciary Committee marks up the Foreign Counterfeit Merchandise Prevention Act (H.R. 6654). The Education and Workforce Committee holds a hearing on multiemployer pension plans. THURSDAY—The Intelligence Committee holds a closed hearing on “National Security Issues Posed by Chinese Telecommunications Companies Huawei and ZTE.”

Executive Branch: Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner attends a Financial Stability Oversight Board meeting today. On Tuesday, Acting Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank and U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk host a two-day meeting of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade.

Economic Reports: From The New York Times: “Data to be released this week include the current account deficit for the third quarter (Tuesday); housing starts for November (Wednesday); weekly jobless claims, final third-quarter GDP, existing home sales for November, the Philadelphia Fed index and leading economic indicators for November (Thursday); and personal income and spending for November and the Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index for December (Friday).”

President Obama travels to Michigan to visit the Daimler Detroit Diesel facility. On Thursday, he hosts a Hanukkah reception at the White House.

The House and Senate are both in session this week. The Senate convenes this afternoon and will continue its consideration of legislation (S. 3637) to extend a deposit insurance program.

The House meets tomorrow. There’s no major legislation on the calendar, though the House will hold a vote to go to a House-Senate conference on the defense authorization bill (H.R. 4310).

Senate Hearings: WEDNESDAY—A Finance subcommittee holds a hearing on “Tax Reform and Federal Energy Policy: Incentives to Promote Energy Efficiency.”

House Hearings: WEDNESDAY—An Energy and Commerce subcommittee holds a hearing on “Keeping the New Broadband Spectrum Law on Track.” THURSDAY—An Agriculture subcommittee considers derivatives reform. The Financial Services Committee holds a hearing on the Volcker Rule. The Intelligence Committee holds a closed meeting on “U.S. National Security Issues Posed by Chinese Telecommunications Companies Huawei and ZTE.” An Energy and Commerce subcommittee holds a hearing on implementation of the health care law. The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee holds a hearing on high-speed rail in the Northeast.

Executive Branch: Secretary of the Treasury Tim Geithner meets with an official from the Bank of England today.

Economic Reports: From The New York Times: “Data scheduled to be released include the trade deficit for October and wholesale trade for October (Monday); import prices for November (Wednesday); weekly jobless claims, retail sales for November, the Producer Price Index for November and business inventories for October (Thursday); and the Consumer Price Index for November and industrial production for November (Friday).” Additional information from The Washington Post is available here.

President Obama meets with Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov today. Later, he delivers remarks on efforts to secure nuclear material around the world. On Tuesday, the President hosts a meeting with governors at the White House and then addresses members of the Business Roundtable on Wednesday.

The Senate convenes this afternoon and continues its consideration of the defense authorization bill (S. 3254). A procedural vote on the measure is scheduled for this evening.

The House meets at noon today and is in session through Wednesday. There are no big legislative items on the schedule this week. See the Majority Leader’s calendar here.

The Joint Economic Committee holds a hearing on the fiscal cliff on Thursday.

Senate Hearings: TUESDAY—The Commerce Committee considers a number of nominations, including to positions in the Commerce Department and the Federal Communications Commission. WEDNESDAY—An Appropriations subcommittee holds a hearing on the response to Hurricane Sandy. THURSDAY—A Commerce subcommittee holds a hearing on the impact of Hurricane Sandy on the nation’s transportation infrastructure.

House Hearings: TUESDAY—The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee holds a hearing on the response to Hurricane Sandy. WEDNESDAY—A Science, Space and Technology subcommittee looks at “The Impact of International Technology Transfer on American Research and Development.” A Financial Services subcommittee holds a hearing on derivatives. THURSDAY—The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee holds a hearing on high-speed rail.

Executive Branch: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is traveling in Europe. Today, she is conducting meetings with foreign officials in the Czech Republic. After leaving Prague, she is off to Belgium and then Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Economic Reports: From The New York Times: “Data will include ISM manufacturing index for November and construction spending for October (Monday); revised third-quarter productivity, ISM service index for November and factory orders for October [and ADP employment for November] (Wednesday); weekly jobless claims (Thursday); and unemployment for November, Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index for December and consumer credit for October (Friday).” The Washington Post has additional information.

President Obama meets on Tuesday with the President-elect of Mexico. On Thursday, he meets with this year’s Nobel Laureates.

The House returns on Tuesday. The legislative priority for the week is the STEM Jobs Act (H.R. 6429). The Majority Leader’s schedule is available here.

The Senate returns today and continues its consideration of the Sportsmen’s Act (S. 3525).

Senate Hearings: THURSDAY—The Judiciary Committee marks up a number of judicial nominations.

House Hearings: THURSDAY—An Energy and Commerce subcommittee holds a hearing on “The Role of Receivers in a Spectrum Scarce World.” An Energy and Commerce subcommittee examines the Clean Air Act. A Financial Services subcommittee considers “The Future of Money.” A Foreign Affairs subcommittee examines the Judgment Evading Foreign States Accountability Act (H.R. 1798). FRIDAY—A Science, Space and Technology subcommittee holds a hearing on energy development.

Economic Reports: From The New York Times: “Data scheduled to be released include durable goods for October, the Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller housing price index and consumer confidence for November (Tuesday); new home sales for October and the Federal Reserve Beige Book (Wednesday); weekly jobless claims, third-quarter gross domestic product (revised) and pending home sales for October (Thursday); and personal income and spending for October, and the Chicago Purchasing Managers’ Index for November (Friday).” More information from The Washington Post.

President Obama is in Burma today; he is the first president to visit the nation. Later, he travels to Cambodia for an East Asia Summit. He’s the first president to visit that country as well. He returns to Washington on Wednesday just in time to pardon the Thanksgiving turkey.

Congress is out for the week.

Executive Branch: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton continues her trip across Asia and Australia. She is joining President Obama today in Burma and Cambodia. Attorney General Eric Holder is in London for meetings with officials from the G6 nations. Vice President Biden hosts an early Thanksgiving celebration for wounded warriors.

Economic Reports: From The New York Times: “Data scheduled to be released include existing home sales (today); housing starts for October (Tuesday); and weekly jobless claims, the Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan consumer sentiment index for November and leading economic indicators for October (Wednesday).” More information from The Washington Post is available here.

Happy Veterans Day!

With the election behind him, President Obama turns his focus to the economy. On Wednesday, he meets with representatives from the business community to discuss the way forward on the economy. He’ll also meet with labor leaders. Then on Friday, he meets with congressional leaders on the economy.  In between on Thursday, he travels to New York to survey the storm damage.

The Senate and House return to the Capitol this week.  The Senate convenes Tuesday afternoon and will consider the Sportsmen’s Act (S. 3525).

The House also convenes Tuesday afternoon. The big item on the House’s schedule for the week is legislation (H.R. 6156) that would grant permanent normal trade relations to Russia. See the Majority Leader’s calendar here.

On Thursday, the NAM’s Vice President for Energy and Resources Ross Eisenberg takes part in an event on “America’s Energy Future.” The event begins at 8 a.m. and will be streamed live here.

Senate Hearings: WEDNESDAY—The Banking Committee holds a hearing on global banking rules. THURSDAY—The Environment and Public Works Committee holds a hearing on the Water Resources Development reauthorization bill.

House Hearings: WEDNESDAY—An Oversight and Government Reform Committee subcommittee looks at Trade Adjustment Assistance programs. THURSDAY—A Veterans’ Affairs subcommittee holds a hearing on initiatives aimed at helping veterans find employment.

Executive Branch: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is traveling in Asia and Australia until November 20. Today, she is meeting with Australian government officials.  Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta joins the meetings in Australia today before he continues on to Thailand and Cambodia.

Economic Reports: The Washington Post previews what’s ahead this week here.

With his job on the line, President Obama makes his case for another term. Today, he crisscrosses battleground states before stopping in Chicago, where he will spend Election Day. He will be back in Washington on Wednesday.

The House and Senate are out.

The Supreme Court is in session and hears arguments in two cases today.

Executive Branch: Vice President Biden campaigns in Virginia today. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano is in New York to survey the damage from and response to Hurricane Sandy.

Economic Reports: From The New York Times: “Data to be released will include I.S.M. service for October (Monday); consumer credit for September (Wednesday); weekly jobless claims and the trade deficit for September (Thursday); and import prices for October, wholesale trade for September and Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan consumer sentiment index (Friday).” More information from The Washington Post here.