President Obama wraps up the NATO Summit in Chicago today. He then heads to Joplin, Mo., to deliver the commencement speech for Joplin High School. On Wednesday, he speaks at the Air Force Academy’s commencement ceremony before heading to California for fundraising events. On Thursday, the President will talk about the economy in Newton, Iowa.

The Senate convenes this afternoon to consider the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act (S. 3187). The Senate has also set aside an hour to debate a judicial nomination.

The House is out this week.

Senate Hearings: TUESDAY—The Energy and Natural Resources Committee holds a hearing on “Catalyzing American Ingenuity: The Role of Government in Energy Innovation.” The Banking Committee considers derivatives reform. The Armed Services Committee begins a weeklong markup of the defense authorization bill. WEDNESDAY—The Banking Committee holds a hearing on “Reviewing the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue.”

Executive Branch: Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are in Chicago for the G-8 Summit. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano is traveling in Israel and Jordan. Commerce Secretary John Bryson is traveling in France and Germany this week.

Economic Reports: From The New York Times: “Data to be reported this week will include: Existing home sales for April (Tuesday); new home sales for April (Wednesday); durable goods orders for April and weekly unemployment claims (Thursday); and the Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan consumer sentiment index for May (Friday).”

President Obama delivers the commencement address at Barnard College today. Tomorrow he gives remarks honoring law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty. Later in the day, he hosts a dinner for combatant commanders and their spouses at the White House. On Wednesday, he will call on Congress to enact a “to-do list” to create jobs and will also honor Army Specialist Leslie Sabo, who was killed in action during the Vietnam War, with the Medal of Honor. On Friday, he travels to Camp David for the G-8 Summit before heading to Chicago for the NATO Summit on Saturday.

The Senate votes today to take up the reauthorization (H.R. 2072) of the Export-Import (Ex-Im) Bank.

The House convenes on Tuesday. The two big items on its agenda for the week are the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (H.R. 4970) and the 2013 defense authorization bill (H.R. 4310). See the Majority Leader’s complete calendar here.

Senate Hearings: TUESDAY—The Committee on Aging holds a hearing on long-term unemployment. WEDNESDAY—An Environment and Public Works subcommittee holds a hearing on corporate environmental responsibility. An Appropriations subcommittee reviews the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) budget request for 2013. The Commerce Committee conducts oversight of the Federal Communications Commission. THURSDAY—The Energy and Natural Resources Committee holds a hearing on the Clean Energy Standard Act (S. 2146).

House Hearings: TUESDAY—An Energy and Commerce subcommittee reviews broadband loans and grants funded by the stimulus. WEDNESDAY—The Judiciary Committee holds a hearing on the implementation of the patent reform bill. The Small Business Committee asks, “What’s Next for Small Business Exporters?” NAM member Thomas Crafton of Thermcraft testifies. THURSDAY—A Ways and Means subcommittee holds a hearing on customs trade modernization. The Agriculture Committee marks up three bills to reform how the Dodd-Frank financial services law handles swaps.

Executive Branch: On Monday, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Commerce Secretary John Bryson, U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson speak about “Enabling Environmental Markets and Exports” at a summit in Washington, D.C. On Tuesday, Secretary Bryson speaks at the Steel Manufacturers Association conference. On Wednesday, Deputy Secretary Rebecca Blank speaks at a symposium on Manufacturing, Innovation, and Workforce Training: What Works in Germany and the U.S. for Jobs and Growth.

Economic Reports: From The New York Times: “Data to be reported this week will include the Consumer Price Index for April, retail sales for April and business inventories for March (Tuesday); April housing starts and April industrial production, weekly jobless claims, leading economic indicators for April and the Philadelphia Fed index for May (Thursday).”

President Obama remains focused on student loan interest rates and holds a conference call with students to discuss the issue today. Tomorrow, he will be in Albany, N.Y. before returning to Washington for the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies dinner. On Wednesday, he welcomes Burt Bacharach and Hal David to the White House. He rounds out the week on the West Coast, making his way to Seattle and Los Angeles (but not San Jose) and then to Reno on Friday.

The Senate returns after its weeklong recess and considers the Stop Student Loan Interest Rate Hike Act (S. 2343). It will also vote on three judicial nominees.

The House convenes this afternoon and will vote on a number of noncontroversial measures. The House will consider legislation to replace the automatic defense spending cuts as well as to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank (H.R. 2072). It will also consider the first of the FY 2012 appropriations bills (H.R. 5326). (continue reading…)

President Obama hosts the Prime Minister of Japan at the White House today. On Thursday, he celebrates Cinco de Mayo a few days early.

The House and Senate are in recess.

House Hearings: MONDAY—A Science, Space and Technology subcommittee holds a field hearing on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. WEDNESDAY—A Natural Resources subcommittee holds a field hearing on hydraulic fracturing.

Executive Branch: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton travels to Asia this week, with stops in China, Bangladesh and India. Secretary of Commerce John Bryson and Secretary of the Treasury Tim Geithner will be in China this week for the U.S.-China Strategic & Economic Dialogue.

Economic Reports: From the New York Times: “Data will include personal income and spending for March, and the Chicago purchasing managers’ index for April (Monday); the I.S.M. manufacturing index for April and construction spending for March (Tuesday); the ADP employment report for April and factory orders for March (Wednesday); weekly jobless claims, first-quarter productivity and the I.S.M. nonmanufacturing report for April (Thursday); and unemployment figures for April (Friday).”

NAM Board Chair and Vermeer Corp. CEO Mary Andringa speaks to manufacturers in Indianapolis, Indiana.

NAM Board Chair and CEO of Vermeer Corporation Mary Andringa addressed Industry Week’s Best Plants Conference this morning.  The annual event brings together manufacturers for three days of discussions about ways to build things better.

Mrs. Andringa spoke about best practices at Vermeer as well as best practices for our country–the policies that manufacturers in the United States need to grow and thrive.

President Obama delivers remarks at the Holocaust Museum today. On Tuesday, he welcomes the finalists for the National Teacher of the Year to the White House. Later Tuesday and through Wednesday, President Obama visits three colleges (the universities of North Carolina, Colorado and Iowa) to talk about student loan interest rates.

The Senate gavels in today and begins a busy week. It will debate reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (S. 1925) as well as a postal reform bill (S. 1789). Today, the Senate will debate a resolution (S.J. Res. 36) disapproving of the National Labor Relations Board’s “ambush election” rule.

The House begins legislative business on Tuesday. On Wednesday, it will consider the Small Business Credit Availability Act (H.R. 3336) and a spending transparency bill (H.R. 2146). On Thursday, it will take up four cybersecurity measures. See the Majority Leader’s schedule here.

Senate Hearings: TUESDAY—A Judiciary subcommittee holds a hearing on the enforcement of immigration laws by state and local governments. The Commerce Committee considers “The Emergence of Online Video: Is It the Future?” WEDNESDAY—The Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee marks up the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act.

House Hearings: TUESDAY—The Energy and Commerce Committee marks up the Gasoline Regulations Act and the Strategic Energy Production Act of 2012. WEDNESDAY—The Budget Committee considers ways to replace the sequestration of defense funding. A Ways and Means subcommittee holds a hearing on “Moving from Unemployment Checks to Paychecks: Implementing Recent Reforms.” A Judiciary subcommittee considers the Responsibly And Professionally Invigorating Development Act (H.R. 4377). THURSDAY—The Natural Resources Committee considers “Increased Electricity Costs for American Families and Small Businesses: The Potential Impacts of the Chu Memorandum.” A Judiciary subcommittee looks at international patent issues. A Ways and Means subcommittee holds a hearing on expired and expiring tax extenders. A Small Business subcommittee examines “Small Business Innovators: On the Cutting Edge of Energy Solutions.” A Natural Resources subcommittee holds a hearing on a number of energy bills.

Executive Branch: Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta is traveling in South America this week. On Tuesday, Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar speaks at the National Press Club about domestic energy development. On Friday, Secretary of Commerce John Bryson will discuss manufacturing at the Rochester Institute of Technology.

Economic Reports: From the New York Times: “Data will include the Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller home price index for February, new home sales for March and consumer confidence for April (Tuesday); durable goods for March, weekly jobless claims and pending home sales for March (Thursday); gross domestic product for the first quarter and the Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan consumer sentiment index for April (Friday).”

President Obama returned from Colombia last night. On Tuesday, he hosts NASCAR drivers at the White House. On Wednesday, he travels to Cleveland, Ohio, to speak about the economy. He is back in Washington on Thursday and hosts the NCAA football champions, the University of Alabama. The President rounds out the week by hosting the Wounded Warrior Project’s Soldier Ride.

The Senate returns today and will consider legislation (S. 2230) that would implement the “Buffett Rule.”

The House reconvenes at 2 p.m. and will vote on several noncontroversial measures. Highlights for the remainder of the week include a bill that would extend surface transportation programs through the end of the fiscal year. This bill also includes provisions mandating the approval of the Keystone XL pipeline. The House will also consider legislation (H.R. 9) that would reduce taxes on small businesses.

Senate Hearings: TUESDAY—The Banking Committee holds a hearing on the Export-Import Bank. David Ickert of NAM member company Air Tractor testifies. An Environment and Public Works subcommittee conducts a “Review of Mercury Pollution’s Impacts on Public Health and the Environment.” A Commerce subcommittee holds a hearing on “Promoting American Competitiveness: Filling Jobs Today and Training Workers for Tomorrow.” THURSDAY—The Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee looks at delays in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s standard-setting process.

House Hearings: MONDAY—An Energy and Commerce subcommittee marks up the Gasoline Regulations Act and the Strategic Energy Production Act. TUESDAY—The Science, Space and Technology Committee holds a hearing on “Tapping America’s Unconventional Oil Resources for Job Creation and Affordable Domestic Energy: Technology and Policy Pathways.” The Education and Workforce Committee holds a hearing on the Workforce Investment Improvement Act (H.R. 4297). A Foreign Affairs subcommittee looks at the Increasing American Jobs Through Greater Exports to Africa Act (H.R. 4221). WEDNESDAY—An Energy and Commerce subcommittee considers Food and Drug Administration User Fees. A Judiciary subcommittee holds a hearing on E-Verify. The Small Business Committee considers “The Tax Outlook for Small Businesses.” A Science, Space and Technology subcommittee holds a hearing on “Avoiding the Spectrum Crunch: Growing the Wireless Economy through Innovation.” THURSDAY—A Science, Space and Technology subcommittee looks at the “Impact of Tax Policies on the Commercial Application of Renewable Energy Technology.” An Energy and Commerce subcommittee reviews the Domestic Fuels Protection Act (H.R. 4345). A Small Business subcommittee looks at equity financing for small businesses. An Energy and Commerce subcommittee asks “Can American Manufacturing Thrive Again?” The NAM’s Small and Medium Manufacturers Group Chair Kellie Johnson, president of ACE Clearwater Enterprises, testifies. A Natural Resources subcommittee examines the “Bureau of Land Management’s Hydraulic Fracturing Rule’s Impacts on Indian Tribal Energy Development.”

Executive Branch: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is in Brazil today for the U.S.-Brazil Global Partnership Dialogue. On Wednesday, she travels to Brussels, Belgium, for a NATO meeting. On Friday, Commerce Secretary John Bryson will deliver a speech on commercial relations between the U.S. and China.

Economic Reports: From the New York Times: “Data will include retail sales for March and business inventories for February (Monday); housing starts and industrial production for March (Tuesday); weekly jobless claims, home resales for March, leading economic indicators for March, and the Philadelphia Fed index (Thursday).”

President Obama hosts the White House Easter Egg Roll this morning. Later today, he meets with the President of Brazil. On Tuesday, the President makes the case for the “Buffett Rule” at Florida Atlantic University. On Friday, he travels to Colombia.

The House and Senate are out.

Senate Hearings: WEDNESDAY—The Commerce Committee holds a field hearing in West Virginia on “Shale Gas Development: Meeting the Transportation, Pipeline, and Rail Needs to Renew American Manufacturing.”

Executive Branch: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Secretary of Commerce John Bryson participate in the Brazil-U.S.: Partnership for the 21st Century Conference, which is being hosted by the Chamber of Commerce. On Tuesday, Secretary Bryson will be in Tennessee for the opening of a new Whirlpool facility. NAM Board Chair Mary Andringa and NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons will also be there.

Economic Reports: From the New York Times: “Data will include wholesale trade inventories for February (Tuesday); import prices for March and the Federal Reserve’s beige book (Wednesday); weekly jobless claims, the Producer Price Index for March and the trade deficit for February (Thursday); the Consumer Price Index for March and the Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan consumer sentiment index for April (Friday).”

President Obama meets with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Mexican President Felipe Calderon at the White House today. On Tuesday, he speaks to the American Society of News Editors. On Wednesday, he hosts the Easter Prayer Breakfast, and on Friday, he hosts a Passover Seder. Also on Friday, the President will speak at the White House Forum on Women and the Economy. The President will sign two bills into law this week: the congressional insider trading bill (the STOCK Act) and the JOBS Act.

The House and Senate are out.

Senate Hearings: WEDNESDAY—The Veterans Affairs Committee holds a field hearing on “Washington’s Veterans: Helping the Newest Generation Transition Home.” THURSDAY—The Budget Committee holds a field hearing on the “Multi-Year Surface Transportation Bill: Key to Infrastructure Investments.”

House Hearings: MONDAY—A Small Business subcommittee considers the “Impact of U.S. Trade Policies on Small Businesses and Manufacturing.”

Executive Branch: Interior Secretary Ken Salazar is in North Dakota today to visit a drilling rig and oil production site. On Tuesday, Vice President Joe Biden travels to Norfolk, Va., to talk about the cost of college.

Economic Reports: From the New York Times: “Data will include the I.S.M. manufacturing index for March and construction spending for February (Monday); factory orders for February (Tuesday); ADP employment for March and I.S.M. nonmanufacturing for March; weekly jobless claims and unemployment for March and consumer credit for February (Friday).”

President Obama is in Seoul, South Korea today for the Nuclear Security Summit. He delivers a speech about his Administration’s efforts to combat nuclear proliferation and holds separate meetings with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev and Chinese President Hu Jintao. On Tuesday, the President returns to Washington at the conclusion of summit. On Friday, he will be fundraising in Vermont and Maine.

The Senate convenes this afternoon and will vote whether to take up a bill that would raise taxes on oil and gas companies (S. 2204). If that vote fails, the Senate will turn to a measure to reform the postal service (S. 1789).

Today, the House will vote on a bill (H.R. 4239) to extend surface transportation programs for three months as the House and Senate continue to work toward a long-term reauthorization. On Tuesday, the House will consider the Senate version of the JOBS Act (H.R. 3606). To conclude the week, the House will take up Rep. Paul Ryan’s (R-WI) budget (H.Con.Res. 112). See the Majority Leader’s schedule here.

Senate Hearings: TUESDAY—Environment and Public Works subcommittees hold a joint hearing on “The EPA’s Work with Other Federal Entities to Reduce Pollution and Improve Environmental Performance.” A Finance subcommittee looks at tax incentives for renewable energy. THURSDAY—The Energy and Natural Resources Committee examines gas prices. A Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs subcommittee considers “Contractors: How Much Are They Costing the Government?” The Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee holds a hearing on Food and Drug Administration (FDA) User Fee Agreements. The Small Business Committee looks at the budget for the Small Business Administration. The Rules Committee holds a hearing on the Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Elections (DISCLOSE) Act (S. 2219).

House Hearings: TUESDAY—An Appropriations Committee holds a hearing on the budgets for various agencies in the Department of Energy. The Science, Space and Technology Committee holds a hearing on “Fostering the U.S. Competitive Edge: Examining the Effect of Federal Policies on Competition, Innovation, and Job Growth.” The Natural Resources Committee holds a hearing on gas prices. WEDNESDAY—An Appropriations subcommittee looks at “American Manufacturing and Job Repatriation.” An Energy and Commerce subcommittee holds a hearing on gas prices. Another Energy and Commerce subcommittee examines cybersecurity threats. The Natural Resources Committee considers a motion to authorize a subpoena relating to Interior Department actions. An Agriculture subcommittee considers legislation dealing with commodity swaps. The Small Business Committee holds a hearing on “Large and Small Businesses: How Partnerships Can Promote Job Growth.” An Appropriations subcommittee holds a hearing on loan guarantees for energy projects. THURSDAY—The Way and Means Committee holds a hearing on the mandates in the health care law. An Energy and Commerce subcommittee holds a hearing on online privacy.

Executive Branch: Today, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is in Canada for meetings with Canadian and Mexican defense officials, Commerce Secretary John Bryson is leading a trade mission in India, Secretary of Energy Steven Chu is in Seoul with the President, and Attorney General Eric Holder will be at the Supreme Court for arguments in the health care case.

Federal Courts: The Supreme Court holds the first of three days of arguments on the health care law.

Economic Reports: From the New York Times: “Data will include pending home sales for February (Monday); the Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller home price index for January and consumer confidence for March (Tuesday); durable goods orders for February (Wednesday); weekly jobless claims and the final gross domestic product for the fourth quarter (Thursday); and personal income and spending for February, the Chicago Purchasing Managers Index for March and the Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan consumer sentiment index for March (Friday).”