This week, all 535 members of Congress - minus one officially declared U.S. Senator from Minnesota's still contested race - return to Capitol Hill from their Spring recess. And, after two weeks away from Washington, they're eager to get busy with new legislation.
One of those that will get a lot of attention is the Hate Crimes Bill. Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) says the House Judiciary Committee will consider it this week. The same bill passed in 2007, but former President George W. Bush vetoed it when it finally reached the White House. The concern critics have with this particular legislation is that pastors and Christians could be jailed or fined for vocalizing their biblically held beliefs - as has happened in other countries with similar laws. President Obama has expressed support for the bill.
While lawmakers were away, labor unions flooded their offices with calls to support the Employee Free Choice Act, which would make it easier to unionize but without the use of secret ballots.
There is talk of compromise on a bill that would give bankruptcy judges more power to modify home mortgages.
Also, while lawmakers were in their home districts, they got an earful of complaints about big government bailouts. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has reportedly pledged to create an investigative commission to figure out what led up to Wall Street's financial collapse.
And, staying on the topic of money, Congress has some unfinished business to settle. The House and Senate must reconcile competing versions of the $3.5 trillion budget for fiscal year 2010 for final passage.