The BP Gulf of Mexico oil spill continues to grab lawmakers' attention, with at least three hearings scheduled for this week, but other major agenda items could take over later in the week.

Senators will get to vote Thursday on a long-awaited resolution by Energy and Natural Resources ranking member Lisa Murkowski that would strip EPA of its regulatory power over carbon emissions. The resolution has 41 co-sponsors, including three Democrats. It needs 51 votes for passage.

The climate and energy bill sponsored by Sens. John Kerry, D-Mass., and Joe Lieberman, I/D-Conn., will also be on the Senate's agenda. Economic analyses of that legislation by EPA and the Energy Information Administration are expected soon, with EPA's coming midweek and EIA's later this month. And Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., will meet with committee leaders on Thursday to hash out details.

Reid last week called upon (subscription) committee leaders to offer legislative language related to the oil spill before the Independence Day recess for inclusion in a comprehensive energy bill that will be debated on the floor in July. A Reid spokesman said that oil spill legislation could come up in Thursday's meeting.

Congressional probes into the oil spill will likely remain intense throughout the week. The Senate Judiciary Committee holds a hearing Tuesday with lawyers and other experts testifying on whether recent court decisions and liability caps have affected major oil companies' behavior.

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will consider liability legislation by New Jersey Democrats Robert Menendez and Frank Lautenberg and Florida Democrat Bill Nelson. Their bill seeks to remove the $75 million cap on spill liability for oil companies.

On Wednesday, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hear from Interior Secretary Ken Salazar regarding his department's May 27 report on offshore drilling safety in response to the spill.

Here is a rundown of the major events we know about for this week. It's a busy one.

Congressional hearings and events:

Monday
• Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., introduces a climate and energy bill. (2:15 p.m., Senate Radio/TV Gallery)

Tuesday
• The Senate Judiciary Committee holds a hearing on recent court cases and federal liability caps that could be influencing corporate behavior in the oil and natural gas business. (10 a.m., 226 Dirksen Senate Office Building)

Wednesday
• The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee holds a hearing on the Interior Department's report on offshore drilling safety measures. Salazar testifies. (9:30 a.m., 366 Dirksen Senate Office Building)

• A House Science and Technology subcommittee holds a hearing on what kinds of technology are needed to effectively clean up an oil spill. Representatives from the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, EPA and Coast Guard are among those expected to testify. (10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn House Office Building)

• A House Agriculture subcommittee holds a hearing on the implementation of the 2008 farm bill energy title. (10 a.m., 1300 Longworth House Office Building)

• The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee holds a hearing on oil liability legislation sponsored by Menendez. (10:30 a.m., 106 Dirksen)

• The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure holds a hearing on liability and financial responsibility for oil spills under the Oil Pollution act of 1990 and related laws. (10:30 a.m., 2167 Rayburn)

Thursday
• A House Natural Resources subcommittee holds a hearing on the oil spill, the panel's third in a series of seven on the disaster. (10 a.m., 1324 Longworth House Office Building)

• A Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs subcommittee holds a hearing on the repercussions of the oil spill for states, local communities and the private sector. (10 a.m., 342 Dirksen)

• A Senate Health, Education Labor, and Pensions subcommittee holds a hearing on safety management in the oil and natural gas sector. (10 a.m., 430 Dirksen)

Other events:

Monday
• The Association of Zoos and Aquariums holds a briefing on the wildlife rescue and rehabilitation efforts in the gulf. (9 a.m., B-339 Rayburn)

Tuesday
• The United States Nuclear Infrastructure Council holds a conference on the "U.S. nuclear energy renaissance" Tuesday and Wednesday. Sens. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., and Murkowski are scheduled to speak. (Mandarin Oriental Hotel, 1330 Maryland Ave., SW)

• Experts in conservation and marine biology deliver remarks on ocean conservation issues, focusing on the gulf oil spill, at a National Press Club Newsmaker Luncheon. (Noon, NPC, 14th and F Streets, NW)

Wednesday
• Actress Ashley Judd delivers remarks about the controversial practice of mountaintop removal coal mining at an NPC Newsmaker Luncheon. (12:30 p.m., NPC)

Thursday
• At another NPC Newsmaker Luncheon, Energy Secretary Steven Chu delivers remarks about the innovation needed to help meet U.S. energy and climate goals. (12:30 p.m., NPC)

• The Environmental and Energy Institute holds a briefing to discuss Americans' views on global warming. (2 p.m., SVC-209/208, U.S. Capitol)

• The Woodrow Wilson Center holds a discussion on climate change mitigation and adaptation. (3 p.m., WWC, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., NW)

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