WASHINGTON — Defense officials are expected to offer stern warnings to lawmakers on Capitol Hill this week in a series of hearings scheduled just weeks before a congressional budget showdown.
Lawmakers have to finalize a budget for the remainder of fiscal 2017 by the end of April or trigger a partial government shutdown. In recent days, talk of a continuing resolution to fund the government through the end of September has slowly built in the halls of Congress, raising concerns among defense officials who say that would cause tremendous funding headaches for the military.
On Wednesday, the military service chiefs are expected to hammer home that message, predicting sidelined equipment and dramatic cuts in troop training if the military is forced to operate for the next five months under fiscal 2016 levels.
Officials from U.S. Strategic Command, U.S. Northern Command and U.S. Southern Command are also scheduled to testify this week, and will likely face related questions.
On veterans issues, Tuesday’s House Veterans’ Affairs Committee hearing on problems at the Veterans’ Crisis Line will draw heavy attention, after VA officials pushed back on reports last week about delays and mistakes at the emergency hotline.
Tuesday
Senate Armed Services -- 9:30 a.m. -- Dirksen G50
STRATCOM
Gen. John Hyten, head of U.S. Strategic Command, will testify before the committee on current operations and future budget concerns.
Senate Homeland Security -- 9:30 a.m. -- Dirksen 342
U.S./Mexico border
Department of Homeland Security officials will testify before the committee on White House proposals for fencing along the U.S. southwest border.
House Veterans’ Affairs -- 10 a.m. -- Cannon 334
Veterans Crisis Line
VA officials and outside advocates will testify before the committee on ongoing concerns with the Veterans Crisis Line.
House Armed Services -- 10 a.m. -- Rayburn 2118
Defense reform
Outside experts, including Center for a New American Security CEO Michele Flournoy, will testify before the committee on opportunities for defense reform.
Senate Foreign Relations -- 10:15 a.m. -- Dirksen 419
European Union
The committee will hear from witness on the importance of European Union countries as a partner against Russian aggression in the region.
House Veterans’ Affairs -- 2 p.m. -- Cannon 334
VA approved appraisers
Department officials will testify on the VA appraisal program and ways to update those services
House Homeland Security -- 2 p.m. -- Visitors Center H210
Border security
The subcommittee on border security will hear from outside experts on the value of new task forces to combat national security threats.
House Financial Services -- 2 p.m. -- Rayburn 2128
Iran
The committee will hear from outside experts on the effectiveness of non-nuclear sanctions against Iran
Senate Armed Services -- 2:30 pm. -- Visitors Center S217
Closed briefing
The subcommittee on cybersecurity will receive a classified briefing on cyber threats to the United States.
Wednesday
Senate Homeland Security -- 9:30 a.m. -- Dirksen 342
Border security
The committee will hear from outside experts on ways to improve border security and public safety.
House Armed Services -- 10 a.m. -- Rayburn 2118
Defense budgets
The service chiefs of staff will testify before the committee on the impact of a continuing resolution on military operations and stability.
Senate Appropriations -- 10 a.m. -- Dirksen 192
Sex assault
The committee will hear from U.S. Merchant Marine Academy officials on ways to preventing sexual assault and sexual harassment in the ranks.
House Veterans’ Affairs -- 10:30 a.m. -- Cannon 334
Legislative hearing
The subcommittee on disability assistance will mark up seven bills, including the "Quicker Veterans Benefits Delivery" act.
House Foreign Affairs -- 2 p.m. -- Rayburn 2172
Turkey
The subcommittee on Europe will hear from outside experts on challenges to Turkey’s democracy.
House Armed Services -- 2 p.m. -- Rayburn 2212
Marine Corps readiness
Marine Corps officials will testify before the committee on current service operations and looming budget challenges.
House Oversight -- 2 p.m. -- Rayburn 2154
Iran
The subcommittee on national security will hear from outside officials on the Iraq nuclear deal and its long-term implications.
Thursday
House Veterans’ Affairs -- 8 a.m. -- Cannon 334
Legislative mark-up
The subcommittee on health will review a series of pending bills.
House Armed Services -- 9 a.m. -- Rayburn 2212
Defense contract auditing
Anita Bales, director of the Defense Contract Audit Agency, will testify before the committee on the defense contract auditing process.
Senate Armed Services -- 9:30 a.m. -- Dirksen G50
SOUTHCOM and NORTHCOM
Adm. Kurt Tidd, head of U.S. Southern Command, and Gen. Lori Robinson, head of U.S. Northern Command, will testify before the committee on current operations and future budget issues.
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.
