In what could be lawmakers' last week of work for the current legislative session, several committees will work to tie up loose ends and set up their defense priorities for what looks to be a busy 2017.


On Wednesday, the House Armed Services Committee holds its long-planned hearing on the California National Guard bonus scandal, where angry lawmakers are expected to spar with Guard officials who have already chastised Congress for its role in a process that tried to claw back thousands of dollars in decade-old bonuses from veterans.

On day later, the committee will also look at massive cost overruns in the Navy's Littoral Combat Ship program, a topic of debate and frustration on the Senate side just a week ago.

If lawmakers can finish up work on the annual defense authorization act and a four-month budget extension this week, it's unlikely they'll stay in town past Friday. If they don't, they're scheduled to end the 114th session of Congress on Dec. 16.  

Tuesday
Senate Armed Services -- 9:30 a.m. -- Hart 216
Emerging threats
Outside experts including retired Army Gen. John Keane will brief the committee on emerging threats to U.S. national security and strategies to counter them.

House Foreign Affairs -- 10 a.m. -- 2172 Rayburn
India
Human rights experts will testify before the lawmakers on government strategy and obstacles with regards to engagement in India.

Senate Foreign Relations -- 2:30 p.m. -- Dirksen 419
Iran
Outside analysts discuss the growing threat of Iranian aggression and options for countering proxy groups working on the regime's behalf.

House Foreign Affairs -- 2 p.m. -- 2172 Rayburn
Asia
Outside experts will discuss the current White House "pivot" to Asia, focusing on successes and challenges so far.

Wednesday

House Armed Services -- 2 p.m. -- Rayburn 2118
California Guard bonuses
Defense officials and leaders of the California Guard will testify on issues which lead up to the veteran bonus recoupment scandal and future fixes for those problems.

House Foreign Affairs -- 2 p.m. -- 2172 Rayburn
Europe
Outside experts will testify on growing national security threats in Europe and Eurasia.

Thursday

House Armed Services -- 9 a.m. -- Rayburn 2118
Littoral Combat Ship program
Navy officials will testify about delays and cost overruns in the Defense Department's Littoral Combat Ship program.

Senate Foreign Relations -- 10 a.m. -- Dirksen 419
State Department
The inspectors general for the State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development will testify before the committee on "challenges and opportunities for the next administration."



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

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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