Coming This Week…

Tuesday, July 15

New Yorker writer Jane Mayer releases her new book “The Dark Side,” an extensively reported account of the development of the administration’s interrogation policies.

10 a.m.—The House Judiciary Committee holds its fourth hearing on the Bush administration’s interrogation policies. British journalist Philippe Sands and former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Douglas Feith—opponents in a high-profile dispute triggered by the author’s recent book—are to testify.

2 p.m.—The House Committee on Homeland Security reviews the Department of Homeland Security’s compliance with the 9/11 Act’s cargo security requirements.

TBD—The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hears testimony on the controversial Air Force refueling tanker contract (time TBD).

Wednesday, July 16

10 a.m.—FED Chairman Ben Bernanke provides his semiannual report to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. The testimony couldn’t come at a more crucial time for Bernanke, who “faces a buzz-saw of criticism” in the midst of deepening financial worries.

10 a.m.—Senator Patrick Leahy’s (D-VT) Senate Judiciary Committee holds its latest hearing on the impact of the Bush administration’s detainee policy on the broader war on terror.

10 a.m.—A subcommittee of the House Homeland Security Committee conducts a status hearing on the Visa Waiver Program, a State Department tourism program that may be at risk.

Thursday, July 17

The Netroots Nation Conference (held in Austin, Texas) begins, running through Sunday.

9:30 a.m.—The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations holds a hearing on how financial institutions located in offshore tax havens may be facilitating tax evasion by U.S. clients.

10 a.m.—Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff testifies in front of the House Committee on Homeland Security regarding border security issues.

2:30 p.m.—The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Disaster Recovery holds a hearing to assess FEMA’s performance since 2007.