WASHINGTON — The only thing standing between lawmakers and their holiday break is a new budget deal for a host of federal agencies. By Friday, they should know whether this Christmas will be a merry one or a working holiday.

Due to delays from ceremonies honoring the late President George H.W. Bush last week, a series of hearings and budget negotiations originally scheduled for last week were pushed to this one. Lawmakers passed a two-week budget extension delaying a government shutdown to Dec. 21, but are hopeful they can reach a spending deal before then.

As that work drags on, defense lawmakers have a series of year-end wrap-up hearings scheduled for this week, including top Navy and Marine Corps officials appearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Wednesday.

Senate watchers can also expect a series of farewell speeches from outgoing lawmakers, a tradition at the end of each congressional session.

Monday, Dec. 10

House Foreign Affairs — 2 p.m. — 2172 Rayburn
International Child Abduction
The subcommittee on global human rights will hear from outside experts about the problem of child abduction.

Tuesday, Dec. 11

House Armed Services — 3:30 p.m. — 2118 Rayburn
Artificial Intelligence
Lisa Porter, deputy undersecretary of defense for research and engineering, will testify before the committee on artificial intelligence research.

Wednesday, Dec. 12

Senate Armed Services — 9:30 a.m. — 232-A Russell
China
Outside experts will testify before the committee on Chinese investments in Africa.

Senate Armed Services — 9:30 a.m. — G-50 Dirksen
Navy/Marine Corps Readiness
Navy Secretary Richard Spencer, Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Robert Neller, and Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. William Moran will testify before the committee on force readiness issues.

House Foreign Affairs — 10 a.m. — 2172 Rayburn
Africa
State Department officials will testify before the committee on U.S. interests in Africa.

House Veterans' Affairs — 10 a.m. — 334 Cannon
VA Appeals Reform
The committee will hear from VA official on progress with benefits appeals reform efforts.

House Armed Services — 3:30 p.m. — 2118 Rayburn
Security Clearance Processing
Defense officials will testify before the committee on the status of security clearance processing improvements.

Thursday, Dec. 13

House Foreign Affairs — 2 p.m. — 2172 Rayburn
Nigeria
State Department officials will testify before the committee on U.S. interests in Africa.

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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