Washington in 60 Seconds -- Eric Holder in for a Grilling on Rights for Terrorists

Good morning, Capitolists! Can anybody explain Justin Bieber's appeal?

I can't. But I can tell you what's happening in Washington today. And unlike a Justin Bieber video, it's painless -- plus it only takes 60 seconds.

- No Holds Barred for Holder. After months of avoiding his detractors on Capitol Hill, Attorney General Eric Holder will finally appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday morning. Republicans (and even some Democrats) have been quietly smoldering over Holder's original choice to allow trials of 9/11 terrorists in New York City (which has since been changed); the decision to read Miranda rights to the Christmas Day bomber; and the uncertain future of the prison at Guantanamo Bay. While Holder sits in the hot seat, remember that this is the same committee that will be confirming the next Supreme Court justice, so the mood in the room might be indicative of things to come.

- The Tax Man Cometh. On the eve of Tax Day, Fed Chief Ben Bernanke will appear before the Joint Economic Committee, where the topic will be the unsavory discussion of federal debts and deficits. Bernanke is expected to tell Congress it's time for tough choices between cutting entitlements, raising taxes, cutting spending on everything from education to defense, or, as he said last week in Dallas, "some combination of the above."

- JumpSTART for Bipartisanship? Do you remember when President Obama said during his State of the Union that he would start having monthly meetings with Republican and Democratic leaders to improve the nasty relations between the parties on Capitol Hill? Obama makes good on his promise (or threat?) Wednesday, when Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, John Boehner and Mitch McConnell head to the White House to discuss Wall Street reform, the upcoming Supreme Court vacancy, Senate ratification of the START treaty, and lots of to-do's on the congressional calendar.

- Finally, a Hearing on Dip. Don't tell A-Rod, but your fearless leaders on the House Energy and Commerce Committee are holding a hearing Wednesday, featuring Joe Garagiola, on the use of smokeless tobacco in Major League Baseball. Seriously. Also on the docket (and a more defensible use of taxpayers dollars) will be a hearing for coal company CEOs to talk about the role of their product in energy development, but who will surely be asked about mine safety; and a Homeland Security hearing about safety concerns along the U.S./ Mexican in the wake of an American rancher's murder there.

- Pig Book Time! Wednesday's the day for one of our favorite Washington rituals -- the annual publication of the Pig Book from Citizens Against Government Waste, spotlighting the year's most egregious pork projects, complete with a dramatic reading from Sen. John McCain. Past Pig Book classics include $50 million for an indoor rain forest in Iowa and $500,000 for a teapot museum in North Carolina. Despite promises from Democrats and Republicans this year that they'll cut back on some kinds of pork, the Pig Book will tell us who's really bellied up to the trough.

Follow Patricia Murphy on Twitter @1PatriciaMurphy.