Defense hearings: More budget, more AUMF, more Iran

Defense Secretary Ash Carter returns to Capitol Hill this week to discuss President Obama's request for a new military force authorization in the Middle East. But most other Hill visits by Pentagon officials will focus on the White House's fiscal 2016 budget request.

The service secretaries and service chiefs will make multiple appearances before Congress on the budget, and the House and Senate Foreign Affairs committees will take up the issue of Iranian negotiations.

The Veterans' Affairs committees in both chambers have a series of hearings on pending legislation and advocates priorities, and the House committee resumes its late-night hearings Monday with another look at the VA's transparency and accountability issues.

Monday

Veterans Affairs officials will discuss department accountability and transparency procedures in light of last year's patient wait time scandals.

Tuesday

Closed Briefing

Committee members will receive a closed briefing on cyber, space and strategic competition with China and Russia as part of their fiscal 2016 budget discussions.

Service Chiefs

Army Secretary John McHugh, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James and the four service chiefs will testify before the committee on the Defense Department's fiscal 2016 budget request.

Venezuela

The subcommittee on western hemisphere will look at the political and economic crisis in Venezuela and its implications for the U.S.

Foreign Assistance

The committee will assess the effectiveness of U.S. foreign aid in assisting allies and advancing U.S. national security interests.

Guard and Reserve

Committee members will examine the fiscal 2016 budget request for the National Guard and Reserve.

Coast Guard

The subcommittee on maritime transportation will discuss the Coast Guard's fiscal 2016 budget request.

Trade agreements

The subcommittee on terrorism will discuss the national security benefits and concerns related to trade agreements with Asian and European allies.

MilCon and VA budgets

Committee members will examine the administration's request for military construction funds in the fiscal 2016 budget request.

Wednesday

Navy shipbuilding

The subcommittee on sea power will discuss the fiscal 2016 budget request and long-term Navy shipbuilding programs.

Closed hearing

Committee members will hold a closed hearing to discuss the fiscal 2016 budget request for operations for U.S. Pacific Command and U.S. Forces Korea.

Legislative presentations

The committees will discuss legislative priorities with officials from Jewish War Veterans, Air Force Sergeants Association, Retired Enlisted Association, Fleet Reserve Association, National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs, National Guard Association of the United States, American Ex-Prisoners of War, Gold Star Wives and Wounded Warrior Project.

ISIS AUMF

Defense Secretary Ash Carter and Joint Chiefs Chairman Army Gen. Martin Dempsey testify before the committee about the president's request for a new authorization of force in the Middle East.

Africa

The subcommittee on Africa discusses U.S. election support in the region and plans for future assistance.

Hezbollah

The subcommittee on the western hemisphere discusses Iran's ties to Hezbollah and the impact on U.S. national security interests.

Missile Defense

The subcommittee on defense will talk to officials from the Missile Defense Agency about their fiscal 2016 budget request.

Middle East instability

The subcommittee on the Middle East examines the president's fiscal 2016 budget request and ongoing national security threats in the region.

VA cemeteries

The subcommittee on veterans affairs will discuss the fiscal 2016 budget request for VA cemeteries and military memorials.

Naval Cooperative Strategy

Naval officials will meet with the subcommittee on seapower to discuss the services' long-term strategies and fiscal 2016 budget request.

Army/Air Force budgets

Army Secretary John McHugh, Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James, and the military chiefs of staff of those two services will discuss the Pentagon's fiscal 2016 budget request.

Special Operations

The subcommittee on emerging threats meets with Army Gen. Joseph Votel, chief of Special Operations Command, to discuss the fiscal 2016 budget request for his command.

Thursday

Pending legislation

The subcommittee on oversight will discuss seven legislative proposals under consideration.

Iran

Committee members will discuss Iran's nuclear ambitions and recent White House negotiations with Iranian leaders.

Missile defense

The subcommittee on strategic forces will hear from Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Brian McKeon and other Pentagon officials on missile defense policy.

Transportation/Cyber Command

Committee members will discuss the fiscal 2016 budget requests for U.S. Strategic Command, U.S. Transportation Command and U.S. Cyber Command.

Africa policy

The subcommittee on Africa will review progress and setbacks since the U.S. summit with Africa leaders seven months ago.

VA OIG

The subcommittee on Veterans Affairs will discuss the fiscal 2016 budget proposal for VA's Office of the Inspector General.

Closed hearing

The committee will hold a closed briefing on U.S. European Command's fiscal 2016 budget request.

Ground forces

The subcommittee on land forces will discuss ground force modernization and rotorcraft modernization programs.

Air Force modernization

The subcommittee on air land will discuss Air Force force structure and modernization as part of their fiscal 2016 budget request.

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