Much of the most significant national security work on Capitol Hill this week will take place behind closed doors, as staffers work to reconcile the House and Senate versions of the annual defense authorization bill and lawmakers try to find a path ahead in the Senate for the annual defense appropriations bill.
But most of the defense and veterans committees have scheduled hearings for the week before the July 4th recess, in an effort to tackle lingering issues before leaving town.
The House Armed Services Committee continues its debate over the White House's strategy in Iraq with a panel of think tank experts Wednesday. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee takes up the issue of Iran again Thursday.
Not on the hearing list are a series of pending military nomination hearings, including that of Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford to become the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., Senate Armed Services Committee chairman, said he hopes to hold those confirmation hearings in early July.
Tuesday
House Veterans' Affairs — 4 p.m. — Cannon 334
Small businesses
The subcommittee on oversight will hold a joint hearing with the Committee on Small Business on manipulation and fraud in VA small business information reporting.
Senate Foreign Relations — 11 a.m. — Dirksen 419
Nominations
The committee will review nominations for the new ambassadors to Sri Lanka, the Republic of Maldives, and Nepal.
Senate Foreign Relations — 2:45 p.m. — Dirksen 419
Energy exports
The subcommittee on energy policy will review opportunities for energy sharing with U.S. allies and national security implications of those moves.
Wednesday
House Homeland Security — 10 a.m. — Cannon 311
Syrian refugees
The subcommittee on counterterrorism will review the potential security threat posed by Syrian refugees attempting to enter the United States.
House Veterans' Affairs — 2 p.m. — Cannon 334
Pending legislation
The subcommittee on disability assistance will examine pending legislation.
House Armed Services — 2 p.m. — Rayburn 2118
ISIS
The subcommittee on emerging threats will hear from outside experts on the White House's strategy to combat Islamic State fighters in Iraq and Syria.
House Homeland Security — 2 p.m. — Cannon 311
Cybersecurity
The subcommittee on cybersecurity will review U.S. officials efforts to secure domestic online systems.
Senate Veterans' Affairs — 2:30 p.m. — Russell 418
Pending legislation
The committee will review a series of health care bills pending in the Senate, including expanded health care offerings for women and caregivers.
House Foreign Affairs — 3 p.m. — Rayburn 2172
Colombia
The subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere will review recent activity by FARC rebels and the possibility of peace in the region.
Thursday
Senate Governmental Affairs — 9:30 a.m. — Dirksen 342
Security breaches
The committee will discuss the recent Office of Personnel Management data breach and implications for federal cybersecurity efforts.
Senate Foreign Relations — 10 a.m. — Dirksen 419
Iran
The committee will hear from outside experts on key components of a joint comprehensive plan of action with Iran.
House Armed Services — 10 a.m. — Rayburn 2118
Nuclear deterrence
Deputy Secretary of Defense Robert Work and Joint Chiefs Vice Chairman Adm. James Winnefeld Jr. will discuss military nuclear security and strategy with the committee.
House Veterans' Affairs — 10:30 a.m. — Cannon 334
FY 2015 budget
The committee will discuss lingering funding problems within the VA's fiscal 2015 budget allotment and what it means for long-term spending issues.
House Armed Services — 2 p.m. — Rayburn 2212
Nuclear enterprise review
The subcommittee on oversight will receive an update on the 2014 defense nuclear enterprise review and recommendations of implementing its findings.
House Veterans' Affairs — 2 p.m. — Cannon 334
Pending legislation
The subcommittee on economic opportunity will mark up several bills pending before the committee.
Friday
House Armed Services — 8 a.m. — Rayburn 2212
Shipyards
The subcommittee on readiness will discuss the role of public shipyards in meeting Navy operational requirements.
House Armed Services — 10:30 a.m. — Rayburn 2212
Rocket engines
The subcommittee on strategic forces will discuss alternatives to Russian rocket engines used in space missions, in light of current conflicts.
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.
