Lawmakers continue their discussions on the fiscal 2016 budget and long-term military compensation reform this week, with a series of hearings on both the House and Senate sides of Capitol Hill.
One week before the congressional Presidents Day break, lawmakers will hear from think tankers and Pentagon officials on emerging threats, ongoing negotiations and defense spending priorities. They'll also hold several closed briefings on intelligence and security matters.
Tuesday
Senate Armed Services — 9:30 a.m. — Hart 216
Security challenges
Former defense undersecretaries Eric Edelman and Michele Flournoy brief senators as part of the committee's ongoing examination of global threats and national security strategy.
Senate Foreign Relations — 9:30 a.m. — Visitors Center S-217
Closed briefing
Senators receive a classified briefing on Iraq nuclear negotiations.
Senate Intelligence — 2:30 p.m. — Hart 219
Closed briefing
Senators receive a classified briefing on national security issues.
House Veterans' Affairs — 4 p.m. — Cannon 334
Land use agreements
Lawmakers look at current VA land-use arrangements and concerns about waste and inefficiency in those deals
Wednesday
Senate Armed Services — 9:30 a.m. — Hart 216
Afghanistan
Former U.S. ambassadors to Afghanistan Ryan Crocker and James Cunningham brief senators on the current security situation in that country.
Senate Foreign Relations — 9:30 a.m. — Dirksen 419
Slavery
State Department officials discuss the modern-day slave trade and U.S. human rights efforts to combat the problem.
House Armed Services — 10 a.m. — Rayburn 2118
FY2016 budget
This hearing includes testimony from outside think tank experts on the administration's fiscal 2016 budget request.
House Veterans' Affairs — 10:30 a.m. — Cannon 334
VA budget
Department officials brief lawmakers on the fiscal 2016 VA budget request. The committee also holds a business meeting to formally appoint Reps. Tim Walz, D-Minn., and Jerry McNerney, D-Calif., to the committee.
House Armed Services — 1 p.m. — Rayburn 2212
Compensation reform
The subcommittee on military personnel begins discussions on the recently released report from the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission.
House Foreign Affairs — 2 p.m. — Rayburn 2172
Iran
The subcommittee on terrorism discusses connections between the Iranian government and terrorist groups.
Senate Armed Services — 2:45 p.m. — Visitors Center S-217
Closed briefing
Senators receive a classified briefing on nuclear proliferation.
Senate Armed Services — 3 p.m. — Dirksen G-50
Compensation reform
The subcommittee on military personnel begins discussions on the recently released report from the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission.
Thursday
Senate Armed Services — 9:30 a.m. — Dirksen G-50
Afghanistan
Pentagon officials brief senators on the current security situation in Afghanistan, and offer a classified session following the open hearing.
House Veterans' Affairs — 10:30 a.m. — Cannon 334
Pending legislation
Lawmakers mark up several proposed bills already debated by the committee.
House Foreign Affairs — 1 p.m. — Rayburn 2200
Azerbaijan
The subcommittee on Europe examines human rights issues in that country.
House Foreign Affairs — 1:30 p.m. — Rayburn 2172
Syria
The subcommittee on the Middle East looks at the humanitarian crisis in the war-torn country.
House Veterans' Affairs — 2 p.m. — Cannon 334
Veteran employment
The subcommittee on economic opportunity examines the White House's fiscal 2016 budget request for the Labor Department's Veteran Employment and Training Service.
Senate Intelligence — 2:30 p.m. — Hart 216
Intelligence matters
Senators discuss ongoing intelligence concerns.
House Armed Services — 3 p.m. — Rayburn 2212
Guantanamo
The subcommittee on oversight discusses detainee operations and transfers from the Cuba military base.
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.
