coming up on c-span 3. a senate confirmation hearing for the nominee to be the u.s. ambassador to iraq. then a house oversite subcommittee hearing on fracking after that state health insurance exchanges. they were part of the president's health care law. and later, a house subcommittee meeting on the transportation security administration's inspection program for freight, rail, mass transit and highways. this is c-span 3 with politics and public affairs programming throughouted week. and every weekend, 48 hours of people and events telling the american story on american hitry tv. get our schedules and see pat programs on our websites. and you can you join in the conversation on social media sites. coming up thursday morning on c-span 3. ben bernanke testifies before

the joint economic committee about the economic outlook and the feds efforts to improve the economy. that's live at 10:00 a.m. eastern here on c-span3. >> they're often referred to as the conscious of the congress. and after almost two years, i can't think of a better name. it's really the heart of the people. >> executive director and general council of the congressional black caucus angela rye on the role of today's caucus. >> it's designed to ensure that members of congress who are african-american can come together on issues that are playinging the community at large. issues that may be plaguing their districts. but really coming together to discuss legislative discussions,