Defense hearings: Military nominations and VA reforms

While negotiations on the annual defense authorization and appropriations bills continue behind the scenes, lawmakers will host a full slate of military and foreign policy hearings this week as they wind down their summer session.

On Tuesday, the Senate Armed Services Committee will consider the nomination of the new vice chairman for the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the new head of U.S. Transportation Command. The hearing is also a likely opportunity for the panel to advance the nomination of incoming Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford Jr., who faced little opposition from the committee during his confirmation hearing last week.

The House Veterans' Affairs Committee takes up another major reform bill Wednesday, again designed to increase accountability throughout the Department of Veterans Affairs by making it easier to fire or discipline problem employees.

The House Foreign Affairs Committee will hold a series of hearings this week looking at China and East Asia security concerns. They come amid accusations that the communist country may have been behind the recent data theft of more than 21 million federal employees, including military personnel.

Tuesday

Nominations

The committee will consider the nominations of Air Force Gen. Paul Selva to be vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Air Force Gen. Darren McDew to be head of U.S. Transportation Command.

Legislative proposals

The subcommittee on health will consider a series of bills pending before the committee.

Iran

The committee will host another hearing reviewing parts of the Obama administration's possible nuclear agreement with Iran, with questions on potential congressional actions.

Homeland Security

Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson will brief the committee on ongoing department operations and future threats.

Homeland Security budget

The committee will mark up the Homeland Security appropriations bill for fiscal 2016.

European Union

Committee members will review the future of the European Union in light of recent economic and political turmoil in the region.

Tunisia

The subcommittee on North Africa will review challenges to the democratic government in Tunisia and security challenges in the broader region.

WMDs

The subcommittee on infrastructure protection will examine the Department of Homeland Security's capabilities to track and detect weapons of mass destruction.

Closed briefing

The committee will hold a classified hearing to examine pending intelligence matters.

Wednesday

Border security

The committee will look at border security issues, focusing on threats and strategies on the nation's maritime border.

Pending legislation

The full committee will mark up the VA Accountability Act of 2015, which would make it easier to demote or dismiss department employees for wrongdoing.

Terrorism threats

The committee will look at the rise in radicalization worldwide and U.S. security efforts to counter international and domestic terrorism.

Unemployment benefits

The committee will examine VA's handling of individual unemployability benefits for veterans and problems with the program.

Asia

The subcommittee on Asia will examine U.S. economic and military alliances in the region.

Thursday

China

The subcommittee on Asia will review the U.S.-China nuclear cooperation agreement and future security complications with the deal.

Child abductions

The subcommittee on Africa will review Obama administration efforts to track and prevent abduction of American children, and to return victims home.

Air marshals

The subcommittee on transportation security will review the federal air marshal service and its role in threat prevention.

Wildlife poaching

The subcommittee on Africa will examine international problems with wildlife poaching and the U.S. response.

Closed briefing

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