Congress boasts a full slate of hearings this week, with the Armed Services and Veterans' Affairs committees tackling major topics before the release of the federal budget the following week.
The four service chiefs will be on Capitol Hill on Wednesday to talk to senators about military budget and sequestration. House members will take up issues of cybersecurity, recent terrorist attacks and Veterans Affairs reform.
Tuesday
Senate Armed Services -- 9:30 a.m. -- Dirksen G-50
Security series
The committee will invite former Pentagon leaders James Mattis, John Keane and William Fallon to discuss global threats and U.S. national security strategy.
House Foreign Affairs — 10 a.m. — Rayburn 2172
Iran nuclear issues
The hearing will feature think tank experts discussing the latest extension in Iran nuclear negotiations and the future of that process.
House Veterans' Affairs — 10:30 a.m. — Cannon 334
Legislative hearing
The committee will consider five pieces of pending legislation, including chairman Jeff Miller's proposals to allow VA officials to limit pension payouts to some fired department employees.
House Foreign Affairs — 2 p.m. — Rayburn 2172
Terrorist propaganda
This hearing will look at the recent terrorist attacks in Paris and the role of social media in the aftermath.
House Veterans' Affairs — 2 p.m. — Cannon 334
Transition programs
The subcommittee on economic opportunity will review the Defense Department's transition assistance program and related Veterans Affairs programs.
House Foreign Affairs — 2 p.m. — .Rayburn 2200
Nigeria
The subcommittee on Africa will look at the recent terrorist attacks in that region and the international response.
Senate Intelligence — 2:30 p.m. — Hart 219
Closed hearing
This will be a closed briefing on certain intelligence matters.
Wednesday
Senate Armed Services — 9:30 a.m. — Dirksen 106
Sequestration
The hearing will feature the joint chiefs to discuss looming sequestration cuts and their effect on military readiness.
House Armed Services — 9:30 a.m. — 2118 Rayburn
Defense technology
This hearing will feature Undersecretary of Defense Frank Kendall to discuss the pace of technological change at the Defense Department.
Senate Foreign Relations — 10 a.m. — Dirksen 419
Henry Kissinger
The former secretary of state will discuss "the case for American leadership in the world" in this hearing, previously scheduled for earlier this month.
House Veterans' Affairs — 10 a.m. — Cannon 334
Health care
The subcommittee on health will look at pending issues in the VA health care system and the recent scandals surrounding patient care.
Senate Homeland Security — 2:30 p.m. — Dirksen 342
Cyber security
The committee will look at U.S. response to recent cyber attacks and potential threats for the future.
Thursday
Senate Armed Services — 9:30 a.m. — Dirksen G-50
Security series
The committee will hear from former secretaries of state Henry Kissinger, George Shultz and Madeleine Albright on global threats and U.S. national security strategy.
Senate Intelligence — 2:30 p.m. — Hart 219
Closed hearing
This will be a closed briefing on certain intelligence matters.