WASHINGTON — The Senate will start floor debate on the annual defense authorization bill on Monday, hoping to quickly move the critical military budget bill to a conference committee in coming days.
That work is typically finished by mid-summer, but was delayed this year because of the Senate health care debate and Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain’s cancer diagnosis. As a result, the measure is weeks behind its normal legislative pace.
So far, congressional defense staffers have said the delay hasn’t significantly hurt their work on the military policy and priorities measure, but leaders in both chambers are anxious to get it back on schedule. The legislation is one of the few measures to gain bipartisan support annually, with a 50-plus-year streak of being signed into law.
On the House side, several committees will discuss policy options for North Korea just days after a classified briefing on the threat posed by their nuclear weapons program and recent missile tests. Both chambers could consider additional sanctions or other actions in response.
Tuesday, Sept. 12
Senate Foreign Relations — 9:30 a.m. — Dirksen 419
Nominations
The committee will consider several nominations, including the White House picks for the new ambassadors of Afghanistan and Bahrain.
House Foreign Affairs — 10 a.m. — Rayburn 2172
North Korea
The committee will hear from State Department officials on national security concerns posed by North Korea’s nuclear program and the possible expansion of sanctions.
Senate Homeland Security — 10:15 a.m. — Dirksen 342
Nominations
The committee will consider several nominations, including Daniel Kaniewski to be deputy administrator for national preparedness at the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
House Veterans’ Affairs — 10:30 a.m. — Cannon 334
VA mail management
The committee will hear from VA officials on problems with department mail delivery and handling.
House Armed Services — 2 p.m. — Rayburn 2212
ISIS
Former U.S. ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker and current administration officials will testify before the committee on issues of security and stabilization in the Middle East following the defeat of ISIS forces.
Wednesday, Sept. 13
House Financial Services — 10 a.m. — Rayburn 2128
North Korea
The committee will review legislative proposals to impede North Korea’s access to funding and financial systems in the wake of their recent nuclear tests.
Senate Homeland Security — 10 a.m. — Dirksen 342
Federal workers
The committee will hear from outside experts on federal efforts to Office of Management and Budget efforts to reorganize the federal workforce.
House Foreign Affairs — 10 a.m. — Rayburn 2172
Afghanistan
The committee will review the White House’s budget request for foreign aid in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
House Veterans’ Affairs — 10:30 a.m. — Cannon 334
Legislative hearing
The subcommittee on disability assistance will consider six pieces of pending legislation, including several dealing with veterans financial assistance.
House Foreign Affairs — 2 p.m. — Rayburn 2172
Liberia
The committee will hear from outside experts on the future of democracy in Liberia.
House Foreign Affairs — 2 p.m. — Rayburn 2200
Venezuela
The committee will hear from outside experts on instability in Venezuela and the security threats it poses.
Thursday, Sept. 14
Senate Foreign Relations — 10:30 a.m. — Dirksen 419
Venezuela
The committee will hear from State Department officials on policy options to support democracy in Venezuela.
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.