On Wednesday, the Senate Homeland Security Committee will take a close look at the prostitution scandal in Catagena Columbia. The Secret Service dismissed nine agents and cleared three others of serious misconduct after a night of drinking and interaction with about 20 prostitutes just before President Obama's arrival for the Summit of the Americas.

The unprecedented security breach happened last month.

Washington Post Columnist Joe Davidson offered perspective ahead of Wednesday's meeting on Capital Insider.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin skipped the G8 Summit this weekend, a move widely viewed as a snub of President Obama. Some say it signals a shift in the relationship between the two super powers. Putin, who won a third term this year, sent former president and current Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in his place.

Dr. Gene Novikov, co-author of the forthcoming book Re-thinking the Reset Button: Can We Trust Vladimir Putin's Russia? discussed the relationship on Capital Insider.

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The Partnership for Public Service, a locally-based non-profit organization, announced 33 finalists this month for the Service to America Medals. The "Sammies" honor federal workers who have shown a commitment to public service and who have made the agency they work for stronger.

Michelle Bernier-Toth, managing director of overseas citizens services at the State Department, is a finalist for the 2012 National Security and International Affair Medal. She discussed her work with Capital Insider.

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This weekend's G8 Summit and this week's NATO meeting could generate changes in worldwide fiscal policy.

Currently, the U.S. and Germany find themselves on opposite sides of the fiscal divide. President Obama supports measures designed to stimulate economic growth, while German Chancellor Angela Merkel champions austerity.

The G8's course of action could determine the future of the European Union and echo on the Presidential campaign trail.

Republican Strategist Jack Burkman and Democratic Strategist Richard Fowler discussed that and other issues on Capital Insider.

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House Republicans set up a showdown with the Senate and President Obama over legislation to protect women from domestic violence. The House vote 222 to 205 on Wednesday to reauthorize the 1994 Violence Against Women Act for another five years.

The Senate took similar action already.

Still, big differences remain and advocacy groups say the House bill doesn't go far enough.

Erin Matson, Vice President of the National Organization for Women, discussed the issue on Capital Insider.

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Cybersecurity concerns brought the world's two biggest economies together this week. Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie made a rare public appearance with U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta. They pledged cooperation in the field of cyberwarfare.

Col. Cedric Leighton (U.S. Air Force, ret.) discussed the implications of the visit on Capital Insider.

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In a rare show of congressional bipartisanship, the U.S. Senate passed a bill to renew the charter of the Export-Import Bank for another three years. The bill also raises that agency's lending cap from $100 billion to $140 billion. The measure now heads to President Obama and he's expected to sign it.

Taxpayers Protection Alliance President David Williams discussed that and other issues on Capital Insider.

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The price of oil dropped to a six-month low this week. Speculators are concerned economic uncertainty in Europe could hurt demand for crude. In the U.S., gas prices have been flat -- about $3.73 a gallon according to AAA. That's down more than 20 cents from early April.

Will that trend continue? And can the federal government do anything to help?

LSU Finance Professor Joseph Mason discussed the issue on Capital Insider.

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The current farm bill doesn't expire until the end of September, but public anticipation continues to mount. Action on the 2012 farm bill could be only weeks away.

Currently, a bi-partisan group of 44 senators asked top leaders to act quickly on the half-trillion dollar bill. It would cut spending by $25 billion over the coming decade -- slashing subsidy payments in favor of new crop insurance programs.

Taxpayers for Common Sense Vice President Steve Ellis followed the money for Capital Insider.

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The National Association of Realtors estimates 10,000 members will participate in a rally this Thursday at the base of the Washington Monument. They want Congress to know how much home ownership impacts the economic recovery process.

There are signs of hope on the horizon. The housing market seems to be rebounding and the average income for real estate agents also rose last year. The 2.3-percent increase was the first gain in nine years.

NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yoon offered a detailed look at the real estate industry on Capital Insider.

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JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon continues to play clean-up days after acknowledging a $2 billion trading mistake. On Sunday, he accepted blame during a TV interview. On Monday, JPMorgan said goodbye to a top executive. On Tuesday, Dimon faced another harsh audience -- company shareholders.

For the latest on that and other big business blunders, Capital Insider spoke with Washington Post Financial Reporter Ylan Mui.

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The House is expected to vote this week on this year's defense policy bill. Republicans want to add to the overall defense budget and offset the increases largely by reducing spending on domestic programs for the poor.

CQ Roll Call's John Donnelly outlined one proposal included in the defense policy bill -- $100 million for an anti-missile site on the East Coast -- with Capital Insider.

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Republican Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney finds himself dogged on the campaign trail by allegations of bad behavior in high school -- roughly 50 years ago.

Romney spent the weekend in Charlotte, N.C. and Lynchburg Va. Trying to get back on message. His speech at Liberty University drew a sharp contrast with President Obama days after Obama announced his support for same-sex marriage.

Republican Strategist Jack Burkman and Democratic Strategist Erikka Knuti discussed bullying allegations and other issues on Capital Insider.

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The Partnership for Public Service, a non-profit based in Washington, announced 33 finalists for the Service to America Medals. The 'Sammies' honor federal employees who have shown a commitment to public service and made the government they work for stronger.

Dr. H. Allen Dobbs, chief medical officer for the National Disaster Medical System at the Department of Health and Human Services, is a finalist for the Career Achievement Medal. He spoke about his work on Capital Insider.

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After a spending scandal at the General Services Administration, Secret Service shenanigans in Columbia, and calls in Congress for pay cuts, federal employees could use a break.

Enter 'Public Service Recognition Week,' a time when the leaders of federal agencies are asked to pat their staff on the back. Tom Fox, Federal Coach columnist for the Washington Post, discussed the importance on Capital Insider.

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The focus of presidential politics has moved to general election style campaign stops by GOP Candidate Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama, but primaries in some states are still underway.

That was the case in West Virginia this week. The results of their democratic presidential primary might surprise you. Four in ten voters preferred Keith Judd, a federal inmate, over Obama.

David Cantanese, author of the blog 'Essential Intelligence from the Campaign Trail' on Politico.com, discussed the results on Capital Insider.

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Over the past six years, the number of cybersecurity incidents reported by federal agencies has increased 680 percent. Greg Wilshusen, director of information security issues at the Government Accountability Office, discussed the results of a new study on Capital Insider.

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National Security depends, in large part, on the economy. Troubling new factors overseas could impact markets in the United States. England is in a recession, France is in political turmoil, and Greece is fighting austerity measures. Col. Douglas MacGregor (U.S. Army, ret.) discussed those issues on Capital Insider.

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The student loan rate issue has been one of President Obama's favorites on the campaign trail this month. He turned to it again on Tuesday during a visit to State University of New York in Albany.

"Before they do anything else, Congress needs to keep student loan rates from doubling for students who are here and all across the country," Obama said.

The Senate did not heed those words and voted largely along party lines against starting debate on legislation drafted by the Democrats. If the stalemate continues, students will pay the price this July.

CQ Roll Call Education Reporter Lauren Smith offered analysis on Capital Insider.

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In February of 2011, President Obama announced an initiative to expand wireless coverage to 98-percent of Americans. He called for major investments including $5 billion for rural broadband, $3 billion for wireless innovation, and more than $10 billion for a wireless public safety network.

Fmr. Rep. Rick Boucher (D-Va.), now with Sidley Austin in Washington, discussed U.S. progress on Capital Insider.

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