This week's defense hearings: Defense spending, ISIS and VA reform

The Senate defense committee won't finalize its drafts until mid-May, but the panel has a handful of defense budget hearings this week to help move that work along.

And as the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee prepares to drop a new omnibus bill dealing with a host of VA reforms, the House Veterans' Affairs Committee has planned a flurry of legislative work to advance some more modest proposals.

ISIS

Outside experts will testify before the committee on the spread of ISIS and terrorism, and the impact on U.S. national security.

Terrorism

The subcommittee on foreign operations will look at causes and consequences of violent extremism, and the role of U.S. aid in the issue.

Technology offsets

The subcommittee on emerging threats will hear from defense research officials on the Pentagon's technology offsets initiative and the fiscal 2017 defense budget.

House Veterans' Affairs -- 10 a.m. -- Cannon 334

Pending legislation

The subcommittee on disability assistance will review 11 bills related to benefits issues and memorial affairs.

VA budget mark up

The committee will mark up it's first draft of the fiscal 2017 defense military construction and Veterans Affairs budget proposal.

Senate Appropriations -- 10:30 a.m. -- Dirksen 192

Missile defense

The committee will hear from defense officials on proposed fiscal 2017 spending on the Missile Defense Agency.

VA budget mark up

The full committee will mark up its FY 2017 military construction and Veterans Affairs budget proposal.

House Foreign Affairs -- 11:30 a.m. -- Rayburn 2172

Middle East

The subcommittee on the Middle East will review State Department efforts in the Middle East and North Africa, and fiscal 2017 budget plans for those programs.

House Foreign Affairs -- 2 p.m. -- Rayburn 2172

ISIS

The subcommittee on Asia will look at efforts to combat the spread of Islamic State group ideology in southeast Asia and nearby countries.

Marine Corps modernization

Service acquisition officials will testify before the seapower subcommittee on Marine Corps ground modernization efforts.

Missile defense

Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Brian McKeon and other department officials will testify on ballistic missile defense policies and the fiscal 2017 budget request.

Navy force structure

Former Secretary of the Navy John Lehman and Former Commander of Fleet Forces Command Adm. Robert Natter will testify about current Navy force structure and plans for the future.

Biodefense

Federal health officials will testify before the committee on U.S. biodefense efforts and potential looming threats.

VA modernization

Members of the oversight subcommittee will hear from department officials on modernization plans and consolidation of the choice card program.

Closed hearing

Committee members will meet with U.S. Pacific Command officials on the fiscal 2017 defense budget request.

Pending legislation

The subcommittee on economic opportunity will review a series of bills pending before the committee.

Missile defense

McKeon and Missile Defense Agency officials will testify before the committee on missile defense posture and strategy related to the fiscal 2017 budget request.

Afghanistan

Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction John Sopko will brief the subcommittee on oversight on U.S. weapons sustainment in Afghanistan.

Leo Shane III covers Congress, Veterans Affairs and the White House for Military Times. He can be reached at lshane@militarytimes.com.

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