The House returns and is set to consider a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. The Senate moves forward with the second fiscal 2012 minibus appropriations bill, as leaders try to add the financial services and state and foreign operations spending measures to the Energy and water development appropriations bill.

MONDAY

Rep. Giffords on TV

ABC News will conduct the first interview with Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) since she was shot at a constituent meeting January. The interview comes with the release of a family memoir, “Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope.”

TUESDAY

The Martian Chronicles

The Science, Space and Technology Committee holds a hearing on the exploration of Mars “and beyond” with witnesses from NASA and the National Academy of Sciences.

Future Leaders Hear From Paul

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) is the featured guest at the America’s Future Foundation Leadership Dinner at the Monocle Restaurant.

You Could Look It Up

As part of a monthlong series of events on genealogy, the National Archives hosts research and training sessions on Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday this week.

WEDNESDAY

Come Home America, or
at Least to the Portrait Gallery

In case you were wondering just what it means to be a Democrat, 1972 presidential nominee and former Sen. George McGovern (D-S.D) gives a talk on his new book, “What It Means to Be a Democrat,” at the National Portrait Gallery museum bookstore.

THURSDAY

Tea Party Deficit Plan

Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) and FreedomWorks will present a deficit reduction plan that was drawn up by the group’s tea party deficit commission.

SATURDAY

GOP Candidates Talk Family

Most of the Republican presidential candidates are expected to attend the Thanksgiving Family Forum debate in Des Moines, Iowa. The event is sponsored by the Christian group the Family Leader.

Correction: Nov. 14, 2011

An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated where the Thanksgiving Family Forum would be broadcast.