WASHINGTON — Congress returns from its Thanksgiving holiday break with just a few weeks of work left in 2017 and a long to-do list.

It includes finding a fiscal 2018 budget deal to avoid a Christmastime partial government shutdown, one that defense hawks hope will include a substantial boost in military funding above what mandatory budget caps call for this year.

Before the break, lawmakers finalized their annual defense authorization bill with a spending target of $700 billion for defense programs. But negotiations on appropriations bills haven’t produced the same level of funding, which will be a major sticking point over the next few weeks.

That work is expected to begin with a short-term spending deal to keep the government open past Dec. 8, when the current continuing resolution expires. Details of that plan should emerge in the next few days.

Tuesday, Nov. 28

Senate Foreign Relations — 10 a.m. — Dirksen 419
Nominations
The subcommittee on human rights will consider the nominations of Christopher Ford to be assistant secretary of state for international security and Yleem Poblete to be assistant secretary of state for compliance.

Wednesday, Nov. 29

House Veterans’ Affairs — 10 a.m. — Cannon 334
Provider quality
The subcommittee on oversight will hear from VA officials on problems with provider quality and safety concerns.

House Transportation — 10 a.m. — Rayburn 2167
Unmanned aircraft systems
The subcommittee on aviation will hear from outside experts on challenges with unmanned aircraft systems in the national airspace.

House Foreign Affairs — 10 a.m. — Rayburn 2172
Lebanon
Outside experts will testify before the committee on instability in Lebanon and Saudi Arabia’s actions in the region.

Senate Veterans’ Affairs — 2:30 p.m. — Russell 418
Legislation mark-up
Lawmakers will consider the Senate’s draft of legislation to overhaul community care programs in the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Thursday, Nov. 30

Senate Armed Services — 10 a.m. — Dirksen G50
National Defense Strategy
Outside experts will testify before the committee on their recommendations for the future National Defense Strategy.

House Homeland Security — 10 a.m. — Visitors Center H210
Worldwide threats
Outside experts will testify before the committee on current threats to America.

Senate Foreign Relations — 10 a.m. — Dirksen 419
Nominations
The subcommittee on human rights will consider the nominations of four individuals, including Brock Bierman to be assistant administrator of USAID.


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.

Share:
In Other News
Load More