The headliners of another busy week of budget hearings will be Defense Secretary Ash Carter and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey, who appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday to justify the White House's fiscal 2016 request.
It's the first appearance by Carter since his confirmation, and should provide tougher questions from lawmakers than his nomination hearings did.
VA Secretary Bob McDonald is also back on the Hill to talk about his agency's budget request, and leaders of the four services will all make appearances on the budget circuit throughout the week.
Tuesday, March 3
House Appropriations — 9 a.m. — Capitol H-140
Closed hearing
Lawmakers will talk to leaders with U.S. Africa Command about their fiscal 2016 budget request.
House Armed Services— 10 a.m. — Rayburn 2118
ISIS AUMF
CENTCOM Commander Gen. Lloyd Austin will discuss the White House request for a new authorization of military force in the Middle East.
House Appropriations— 1 p.m. — Rayburn 2358A
BRAC
The subcommittee on military construction will discuss the possibility of a base closure round in years to come.
Senate Armed Services— 2:30 p.m. — Hart 216
FY16 defense budget
Defense Secretary Ash Carter and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey testify before the committee about the department's pending budget request.
Wednesday, March 4
House Appropriations— 9:30 a.m. — Capitol H-140
VA budget
VA Secretary Bob McDonald will lay out his department's fiscal 2016 budget request to the committee.
House Foreign Affairs— 10 a.m. — Rayburn 2172
Ukraine
The committee will discuss recent developments with the Russian/Ukrainian cease-fire, and long-term hopes for the region.
House Armed Services— 10 a.m. — Rayburn 2118
Afghanistan
The committee will discuss regional security issues for the country since the end of the U.S. combat mission there.
House and Senate Veterans' Affairs— 10 a.m. — Dirksen G50
VFW
Officials from the Veterans of Foreign Wars give their annual legislative presentation to the joint committee meeting.
Senate Appropriations — 10:30 a.m. — Dirksen 192
Navy/Marine Corps budget
The subcommittee on defense will hear from Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jon Greenert, and Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Joseph Dunford Jr. about the services' fiscal 2016 budget requests.
House Homeland Security — 2 p.m. — Cannon 311
Cybersecurity
The subcommittee on cybersecurity and security technologies will review the White House's recent cybersecurity initiatives.
House Armed Services — 2 p.m. — Rayburn 2212
Air Force budget
Service officials will discuss aviation programs, service capabilities and the Air Force fiscal 2016 budget request.
Senate Armed Services — 2:30 p.m. — Russell 232A
Personnel programs
Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel Jessica Wright and other Pentagon leaders discuss plans for Guard, reserve, active-duty and civilian personnel programs in the fiscal 2016 budget request.
House Armed Services — 3:30 p.m. — Rayburn 2118
Cybersecurity
The full committee will review the White House's recent cybersecurity initiatives and future threats.
Senate Armed Services — 3:30 p.m. — Russell 222
Nuclear policy
Pentagon leaders discuss nuclear weapons policy, programs and strategy as part of the larger fiscal 2016 defense budget request.
Thursday, March 5
House Armed Services— 9 a.m. — Rayburn 2118
F-35 progress
The subcommittee on tactical air and land forces will discuss the controversial aircraft's future and budget impact in the fiscal 2016 request.
House Foreign Affairs— 9:15 a.m. — Rayburn 2172
Iran
The subcommittee on the Middle East will discuss Iran's nuclear ambitions and concerns about its research in the area.
Senate Armed Services— 9:30 a.m. — Dirksen G50
Army/Air Force budget
Leaders from the two services brief senators on their fiscal 2016 budget request and the challenges ahead.
House and Senate Veterans' Affairs— 10 a.m. — Cannon 345
Legislative briefings
The committees will hear from officials with AMVETS, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Military Officers Association of America, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Vietnam Veterans of America, Blinded Veterans Association and the National Council on Aging.
House Appropriations — 10 a.m. — Capitol H-140
Closed hearing
For the second time in a week, lawmakers will talk to leaders with U.S. Africa Command about their fiscal 2016 budget request.
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.
