The House Armed Services Committee's annual debate over the defense authorization act has arrived again, with committee drafts of the military legislation being finalized this week.
The marathon, full committee markup will take place on April 27, with the Senate Armed Service Committee's version due in mid-May. Officials from both committees have been hopeful the legislation can be passed by early fall, though that would be months ahead of the normal mid-December passage date for the bill.
Senate Armed Services Committee members will also tackle a pair of high-profile nominations this week: Gen. Vincent Brooks, to become be head of U.S. Forces Korea; and Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti, to become head of U.S. European Command.
As they wait for veterans omnibus legislation from their Senate counterparts, the House Veterans' Affairs Committee will hold a likely contentious hearing with VA officials Tuesday over lingering health care access problems for veterans.
Senate Armed Services — 9:30 a.m. — Hart 216
Nominations
The committee will consider the nomination of Gen. Vincent Brooks to become be head of U.S. Forces Korea.
House Science and Technology — 10 a.m. — Rayburn 2138
Space launch industry
Committee members will hear from industry experts on commercial space launch opportunities and challenges.
House Veterans' Affairs — 10:30 a.m. — Cannon 334
Health care access
Committee officials will hear from VA officials on continued problems with veterans' access to health care and wait time problems.
House Foreign Affairs — 1 p.m. — Rayburn 2172
Israel
The subcommittee on terrorism will hear from outside experts on threats to Israel and global security ramifications.
House Foreign Affairs — 1 p.m. — Rayburn 2200
East Asia
The subcommittee on Asia will review administration budget and strategic priorities in East Asia.
Senate Armed Services — 2:30 p.m. — Visitors Center 217
Closed hearing
Committee members will hold a closed hearing with US Cyber Command officials to discuss the fiscal 2017 defense budget request.
House Veterans' Affairs — 10 a.m. — Cannon 334
Pending legislation
The subcommittee on health will review pending bills dealing with veterans' health care access and quality.
Senate Appropriations — 10:30 a.m. — Dirksen 192
Defense innovation
The subcommittee on defense will review budget estimates for next year's defense innovation and research programs.
House Armed Services — 11:30 a.m. — Rayburn 2212
NDAA markup
The personnel subcommittee will mark up its section of the annual national defense authorization act.
House Armed Services — 1:30 p.m. — Rayburn 2118
NDAA markup
The tactical air subcommittee will mark up its section of the annual national defense authorization act.
Senate Armed Services — 2 p.m. — Russell 232A
Navy/Marine Corps aviation
Officials from the Navy and Marine Corps aviation programs will testify about the fiscal 2017 defense budget request.
House Veterans' Affairs — 2:30 p.m. — Cannon 334
Veteran's hiring
The subcommittee on economic opportunity will review policies regarding veterans preference in federal hiring.
Senate Armed Services — 2:30 p.m. — Russell 222
PTSD research
Officials from defense health agencies will testify before the subcommittee on personnel about research and treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries.
House Armed Services — 3 p.m. — Rayburn 2212
NDAA markup
The seapower subcommittee will mark up its section of the annual national defense authorization act.
Senate Armed Services — 9:30 a.m. — Hart 216
Nominations
The committee will consider the nomination of Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti to become head of U.S. European Command.
House Armed Services — 9:30 a.m. — Rayburn 2212
NDAA markup
The readiness subcommittee will mark up its section of the annual national defense authorization act.
House Armed Services — 11:00 a.m. — Rayburn 2118
NDAA markup
The emerging threats subcommittee will mark up its section of the annual national defense authorization act.
House Armed Services — 12 p.m. — Rayburn 2212
NDAA markup
The strategic forces subcommittee will mark up its section of the annual national defense authorization act.
Leo Shane III covers Congress, Veterans Affairs and the White House for Military Times. He can be reached at lshane@militarytimes.com.
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.
