WASHINGTON — In what is expected to be Congress’ final full week of hearings before the November election, lawmakers will tackle a host of defense and veterans issues as the ongoing battle over Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh drags on.

The Senate Armed Services and Senate Foreign Relations Committees will try and advance their own nominees this week, with the former panel’s list including the new head of U.S. Southern Command and a new commander for U.S. Forces Korea.

VA Secretary Robert Wilkie will make his first appearance testifying on Capitol Hill since his confirmation in July, discussing recent reform efforts with the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

And all of that work will come as House leaders push to finalize the fiscal 2019 defense appropriations bill before the end of the week. The Senate has already approved the measure, and if House members are similarly successful, the vote will mark the first time in 10 years that lawmakers have completed the military budget before the start of the new fiscal calendar.

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Tuesday, Sept. 25

Senate Armed Services — 9:30 a.m. — G50 Dirksen
Nominations
The committee will consider the nominations of Gen Robert Abrams to be head of U.S. Forces Korea and Vice Adm. Craig Faller to be head of U.S. Southern Command.

Senate Foreign Relations — 3 p.m. — 419 Dirksen
Nominations
The committee will consider the nomination of three individuals for posts within the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Wednesday, Sept. 26

House Armed Services Committee — 10 a.m. — 2118 Rayburn
National Defense impact
Outside experts will talk about the impact of national defense policies on economic and diplomatic priorities.

House Oversight — 10 a.m. — 2247 Rayburn
China
Outside experts will testify on U.S. technology and proprietary information challenges in relations with with China.

House Transportation — 10 a.m. — 2167 Rayburn
Coast Guard modernization
Service officials will testify before the committee on modernization and recapitalization efforts.

House Foreign Affairs — 10 a.m. — 2172 Rayburn
Burma
Outside advocates — including TV personality Greta Van Susteren will testify before the committee on human rights violations in Burma.

House Science and Space — 2 p.m. — 2318 Rayburn
NASA
NASA officials will testify before the committee on human exploration of space and challenges in the future.

House Foreign Affairs — 2 p.m. — 2172 Rayburn
China
Outside experts will testify on Chinese treatment of Uyghur dissidents.

House Foreign Affairs — 2 p.m. — 2200 Rayburn
Iran
Outside experts will testify on Iranian influence and strategy in Iraq.

Senate Armed Services — 2:30 p.m. — 216 Hart
Cyber operations
Military cyber officials will testify before the committee on the operational readiness of their personnel and commanders.

Senate Foreign Relations — 2:30 p.m. — 419 Dirksen Bldg.
Nominations
The committee will consider a series of nominees to serve as overseas ambassadors.

Senate Veterans' Affairs — 3 p.m. — 418 Russell
VA reforms
VA Secretary Robert Wilkie will testify before the committee on progress at the department in recent months

House Armed Services — 3:30 p.m. — 2123 Rayburn
Syria
Pentagon officials will testify before the committee on U.S. operations in the Middle East and the administration’s strategic goals in Syria.

Thursday, Sept. 27

House Foreign Affairs — 10 a.m. — 2172 Rayburn
Pending legislation
The committee will mark up a series of pending bills, including new sanctions on Iran.

House Veterans' Affairs — 10:30 a.m. — 334 Cannon
Suicide prevention
VA officials will testify before the committee on department suicide prevention efforts and other potential assistance for struggling veterans.

House Foreign Affairs — 1:30 p.m. — 2172 Rayburn
Syria
Outside advocates will testify before the committee on U.S. strategy in the Middle East and Syria.

House Foreign Affairs — 2 p.m. — 2200 Rayburn
Europe development objectives
State Department officials will testify before the committee on strategic objectives for Europe and Eurasia.

House Armed Services — 3:30 p.m. — 2322 Rayburn
Military review boards
Service officials will testify before the committee on military review board policies and procedures.

Friday, Sept. 28

House Armed Services — 9 a.m. — Visitors Center H210
C-130 mishaps
Service officials will testify before the committee recent aircraft accidents and ongoing airlift challenges.

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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