Congress returns to work this week to a host of appropriations and authorization hearings, but the Iran nuclear deal debate in the Senate is likely to command the most attention.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee will take up the issue Tuesday, but Democrats opposed to Republican interference in the process are hoping to derail any legislation on the matter. Amendments to committee chairman Sen. Bob Corker's planned bill could do just that.

The House and Senate Armed Services committees will take up a series of budget issues as they wrap up preparation work for their defense authorization bill drafts for next fiscal year. The House versions are set to be unveiled next week.

Meanwhile, the House Veterans' Affairs Committee continues its oversight work with hearings on whistleblower retaliation (Monday) and construction overruns (Wednesday).

Monday

House Veterans' Affairs — 4 p.m. — Cannon 334

Whistleblower retaliation

The subcommittee on oversight will review VA's treatment of whistleblowers and allegations of retaliation against workers who report wrongdoing.

Tuesday

Senate Armed Services — 9:30 a.m. — Dirksen G50

Asia-Pacific strategy

Think-tank experts discuss U.S. defense policy related to Asia-Pacific issues.

House Armed Services — 10 a.m. — Rayburn 2212

Member issues

Lawmakers present their priorities for the upcoming National Defense Authorization Act proposal.

House Appropriations — 10 a.m. — 2359 Rayburn

Defense health programs

Air Force Lt. Gen. Douglas Robb, director of the Defense Health Agency, and service health officials discuss the Pentagon's fiscal 2016 budget request.

House Foreign Relations — 10:15 a.m. — Rayburn 2172

Crude oil exports

Michele Flournoy and outside experts testify before the subcommittee on terrorism about the benefits and shortcomings of crude oil export bans.

House Veterans' Affairs — 10:30 a.m. — Cannon 334

Pending legislation

The subcommittee on disability assistance will discuss a series of pending bills.

House Foreign Relations — 2 p.m. — Rayburn 2172

Yemen

State department officials will discuss the current unrest in Yemen and Iranian influence there.

Senate Foreign Relations — 2:15 p.m. — Capitol S116

Iran nuclear deal

Senators will meet to consider pending legislation on the proposed Iranian nuclear deal.

Senate Armed Services — 2:30 p.m. — Russell 222

Cyber programs

Eric Rosenbach, principal cyber adviser at the Pentagon, and Air Force Lt. Gen. James McLaughlin, deputy commander of U.S. Cyber Command, will discuss emerging threats.

Senate Armed Services — 2:30 p.m. — Russell 232A

Army modernization

This hearing, originally scheduled for last month, will feature Army acquisition officials discussing long-range plans and the fiscal 2016 defense budget proposal.

House Armed Services — 3:30 p.m. — Rayburn 2118

F-35

Committee members will hear from Pentagon aircraft acquisition officials on the F-35 program's current progress and the fiscal 2016 budget proposal.

Wednesday

Senate Armed Services — 9:30 a.m. — Visitors Center S217

Closed hearing

The committee will hold a closed hearing to discuss major threats facing the Navy and the service's projected capabilities.

Senate Foreign Relations — 9:30 a.m. — Location TBA

Food Aid

Officials from U.S. Agency for International Development and charitable groups will discuss reform in U.S. food aid exports.

House Armed Services — 10 a.m. — Rayburn 2118

Pacific posture

Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Christine Wormuth and U.S. Pacific Command's Adm. Samuel Locklear will discuss military technology superiority and its Implications for U.S. strategy in the Pacific.

House Foreign Affairs — 10 a.m. — Rayburn 2172

Russia

Outside experts will discuss Russian manipulation of media and information sharing.

House Veterans' Affairs — 10:30 a.m. — Cannon 334

VA construction

The committee will examine cost overruns at the Denver VA hospital construction site and ongoing problems with VA oversight of similar projects.

House Armed Services — 2 p.m. — Rayburn 2118

Surface forces

Outside experts will discuss on the role of surface forces in presence, deterrence, and warfighting.

Senate Foreign Relations — 2:15 p.m. — Capitol S116

Iran nuclear deal part II

Following Tuesday's meeting, Senators will reconvene Wednesday to again debate pending legislation on the proposed Iranian nuclear deal and other business.

Senate Armed Services — 2:30 p.m. — Russell 222

Nuclear security

The subcommittee on strategic forces will hear from Energy Department officials about National Nuclear Security Administration plans for fiscal 2016.

House Foreign Affairs — 2:30 p.m. — Rayburn 2172

Tropical diseases

The subcommittee on global health will discuss the threat of disease in underserved areas.

House Armed Services — 3:30 p.m. — Rayburn 2118

Nuclear security

Pentagon officials will discuss nuclear posture issues and the fiscal 2016 budget proposal.

Thursday

Senate Appropriations — time TBA — Dirksen 124

Military construction budget

The subcommittee on military construction will meet with defense officials to discuss the fiscal 2016 budget proposal.

Senate Armed Services — 9:30 a.m. — Russell 222

Pacific Command

Adm. Samuel Locklear III, chief of U.S. Pacific Command, and Army Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti, commander of U.S. Forces Korea, will discuss security issues and the fiscal 2016 budget proposal.

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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