In Congress this week: Nominations for top military posts in Europe, Korea

The House Armed Services Committee's annual debate over the defense authorization act has arrived again, with committee drafts of the military legislation being finalized this week.

The marathon, full committee markup will take place on April 27, with the Senate Armed Service Committee's version due in mid-May. Officials from both committees have been hopeful the legislation can be passed by early fall, though that would be months ahead of the normal mid-December passage date for the bill.

Senate Armed Services Committee members will also tackle a pair of high-profile nominations this week: Gen. Vincent Brooks, to become be head of U.S. Forces Korea; and Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti, to become head of U.S. European Command.

As they wait for veterans omnibus legislation from their Senate counterparts, the House Veterans' Affairs Committee will hold a likely contentious hearing with VA officials Tuesday over lingering health care access problems for veterans.

Nominations

The committee will consider the nomination of Gen. Vincent Brooks to become be head of U.S. Forces Korea.

Space launch industry

Committee members will hear from industry experts on commercial space launch opportunities and challenges.

Health care access

Committee officials will hear from VA officials on continued problems with veterans' access to health care and wait time problems.

Israel

The subcommittee on terrorism will hear from outside experts on threats to Israel and global security ramifications.

East Asia

The subcommittee on Asia will review administration budget and strategic priorities in East Asia.

Closed hearing

Committee members will hold a closed hearing with US Cyber Command officials to discuss the fiscal 2017 defense budget request.

Pending legislation

The subcommittee on health will review pending bills dealing with veterans' health care access and quality.

Defense innovation

The subcommittee on defense will review budget estimates for next year's defense innovation and research programs.

NDAA markup

The personnel subcommittee will mark up its section of the annual national defense authorization act.

NDAA markup

The tactical air subcommittee will mark up its section of the annual national defense authorization act.

Navy/Marine Corps aviation

Officials from the Navy and Marine Corps aviation programs will testify about the fiscal 2017 defense budget request.

Veteran's hiring

The subcommittee on economic opportunity will review policies regarding veterans preference in federal hiring.

PTSD research

Officials from defense health agencies will testify before the subcommittee on personnel about research and treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries.

NDAA markup

The seapower subcommittee will mark up its section of the annual national defense authorization act.

Nominations

The committee will consider the nomination of Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti to become head of U.S. European Command.

NDAA markup

The readiness subcommittee will mark up its section of the annual national defense authorization act.

NDAA markup

The emerging threats subcommittee will mark up its section of the annual national defense authorization act.

NDAA markup

The strategic forces subcommittee will mark up its section of the annual national defense authorization act.

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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