House Armed Services Committee members this week will hold their annual marathon markup for the defense authorization bill, a daylong tradition that lays out the panel’s policy and budgetary priorities for the Defense Department for next fiscal year.
The move comes just days after the Senate Armed Services Committee approved its draft of the must-pass legislation behind closed doors. In contrast, House members will debate a series of controversial social issues and complex funding priorities in the open, although the Republican majority is unlikely to adopt any major changes led by Democratic representatives.
Both measures contain plans for a 3.8% pay raise for troops and increases in department end strength next year. The two chambers are expected to spend the rest of the summer working to negotiate policy differences between the measures.
Monday, July 14
House Veterans’ Affairs — 3 p.m. — 360 Cannon
Information Technology
Veterans Affairs officials will testify on efforts to reform the department’s Office of Information and Technology.
Tuesday, July 15
House Homeland Security — 10 a.m. — 310 Cannon
Drone Warfare
Outside experts will testify on the threat of drone attacks against U.S. domestic military and non-military sites.
Senate Foreign Relations — 10 a.m. — 419 Dirksen
Nominations
The committee will consider several pending nominations, including Michael Waltz to be the U.S. Representative to the United Nations.
House Transportation — 10 a.m. — 2167 Rayburn
Coast Guard Authorization
The committee will mark up its draft of the annual Coast Guard authorization bill.
House Appropriations — 11 a.m. — 2358-A Rayburn
State Department Budget
The committee will mark up its draft of the annual State Department appropriations measure.
House Armed Services — 12 p.m. — 2118 Rayburn
NDAA
The committee will mark up its draft of the annual defense authorization act.
House Veterans’ Affairs — 2:15 p.m. — 360 Cannon
Community Care
Department officials will testify on rules and reforms with VA’s community care programs.
Wednesday, July 16
Senate Foreign Relations — 10 a.m. — 419 Dirksen
State Department Reforms
Department officials will testify on efforts to reform and update State Department policies.
House Veterans’ Affairs — 2:30 p.m. — 360 Cannon
Veteran Employment Programs
Department officials will testify on changes to VA employment assistance programs.
Senate Veterans’ Affairs — 4 p.m. — 418 Russell
Nominations
The committee will consider several pending nominations.
Thursday, July 17
Senate Appropriations — 9:30 a.m. — 106 Dirksen
VA budget
The committee will mark up its draft of the Veterans Affairs and Military Construction appropriations bill.
Leo covers Congress, Veterans Affairs and the White House for Military Times. He has covered Washington, D.C. since 2004, focusing on military personnel and veterans policies. His work has earned numerous honors, including a 2009 Polk award, a 2010 National Headliner Award, the IAVA Leadership in Journalism award and the VFW News Media award.
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