WASHINGTON — Congressional negotiators believe they are days away from wrapping up conference committee work on the annual defense authorization bill, putting the measure on track to pass before the end of the year.

Lawmakers have passed some form of the legislation for more than five decades. At the state of negotiations two weeks ago, Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain, R-Ariz., said he saw no reason to believe that streak would end this year.

Major issues in the separate House and Senate drafts of the budget legislation include the creation of a new Space Corps within the ranks, the annual military pay raise, and department leadership reforms.

Once the conference work finishes, the next challenge will be getting the compromise bill before the separate chambers for a vote. Lawmakers are already debating the new Republican tax reform plan and working on a full fiscal 2018 appropriations measure, which faces a looming December deadline.

Tuesday, Nov. 6

House Foreign Affairs — 10 a.m. — Rayburn 2172
Middle East
The subcommittee on the Middle East will hear from outside experts on democracy and governance issues in the Middle East and North Africa.

House Foreign Affairs — 2 p.m. — Rayburn 2172
Russia
The subcommittee on terrorism will hear from outside experts on Russian involvement with counterterrorism operations across the globe.

Wednesday, Nov. 7

House Government Reform — 10 a.m. — Rayburn 2167
Jerusalem
The subcommittee on national security will hear from outside experts on the ramifications of moving the American embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.

House Foreign Affairs — 10 a.m. — Rayburn 2172
Afghanistan
State Department officials will testify on the administration’s new strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Senate Homeland Security — 10 a.m. — Dirksen 342
Nominations
The committee will consider the nomination of Kirstjen Nielsen to be Secretary of Homeland Security.

House Veterans’ Affairs — 10 a.m. — Cannon 334
Pending legislation
The committee will mark up a series of pending bills.

House Veterans’ Affairs — 2 p.m. — Cannon 334
Transition assistance
The committee will review the Interagency Transition Assistance Program and metrics for its success.

Thursday, Nov. 8

House Armed Services — 10:30 a.m. — Rayburn 2212
Aviation readiness
Aviation officials from the four armed services will testify before the committee on looming challenges and strategy updates.

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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