WASHINGTON — Capitol Hill will see a blitz of budget activity this week before lawmakers head home for the Memorial Day commemoration.
On Tuesday, White House officials will roll out President Trump's first full budget proposal, outlining defense and domestic spending priorities for the fiscal year which starts in October.
It’s the latest budget outline release in modern history, coming in three weeks later than President Barack Obama’s early May 2009 roll out. Trump officials did offer a "skinny budget" earlier this spring, outlining general spending parameters.
For full FY18 budget coverage, click here.
But the full budget document will give lawmakers a chance to dig into specific programs and funding lines. That work starts with a series of hearings with service officials in the House and Senate, going over new spending lines and shifting needs.
Congressional investigations into Russian interference in American politics also continues on Capitol Hill this week, with former CIA Director John Brennan testifying before the House Intelligence committee on Tuesday.
Tuesday, May 23
Senate Armed Services — 9:30 a.m. — Dirksen G50
Worldwide threats
Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats and Defense Intelligence Agency Director Lt. Gen. Vincent Stewart will testify before the committee on worldwide threats and U.S. strategic response.
House Intelligence — 10 a.m. — Visitors Center H210
Russia
Former CIA Director John Brennan will testify before the committee on Russia interference and influence in U.S. government.
Senate Armed Services — 2:30 p.m. — Visitors Center S217
Closed briefing
Committee members will hear from naval officials in a closed session on Navy readiness challenges.
Senate Armed Services — 2:30 p.m. — Russell 222
Cyber attacks
Service officials will testify before the committee on military cyber posture and challenges.
House Armed Services — 3:30 p.m. — Rayburn 2118
Cyber threats
Adm. Michael Rogers, head of U.S. Cyber Command, will testify before the committee on Defense Department cyber operations.
Wednesday, May 24
Senate Armed Services — 9:30 a.m. — Russell 232A
Navy build up
Committee members will hear from industry executives on options for a significant naval build up in coming years.
House Appropriations — 10 a.m. — Capitol H140
National Guard
Gen. Joseph Lengyel, commander of the National Guard Bureau, and the service reserve chiefs will testify before the committee on their fiscal 2018 budget priorities.
Senate Appropriations — 10:30 a.m. — Dirksen 192
Navy and Marine Corps budget
Acting Secretary of the Navy Sean Stackley, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson, and Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Robert Neller will testify before the committee on the services fiscal 2018 budget request.
House Veterans’ Affairs — 10:30 a.m. — Cannon 334
VA budget
VA officials will testify before the committee on the fiscal 2018 budget request.
House Armed Services — 2 p.m. — Rayburn 2212
Navy budget
Naval officials will testify before the committee on their fiscal 2018 budget request and long-term plans for seapower forces.
House Veterans’ Affairs — 2 p.m. — Cannon 334
VA Financial Management
VA officials will testify before the committee on ongoing concerns about financial management within the department.
House Foreign Affairs — 2 p.m. — Rayburn 2172
Iran
Committee officials will hear from outside analysts on the nuclear threat posed by Iran.
Senate Veterans’ Affairs — 2:30 p.m. — Russell 418
Legislative mark up
The committee will mark up legislation dealing with changing hiring and firing rules at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Undersecretary for Nuclear Strategy Frank Klotz and other officials will testify before the committee on Department of Energy defense programs.
House Armed Services — 3:30 p.m. — Rayburn 2118
Ground forces
Army and Marine Corps leaders will testify before the committee on the fiscal 2018 budget request for ground force modernization efforts.
Thursday, May 25
House Armed Services — 8 a.m. — Rayburn 2212
Air Force budget
Air Force operations and acquisition officials will testify before the committee on their fiscal 2018 budget request.
Senate Armed Services — 9:30 a.m. — Dirksen G50
Army posture
Acting Army Secretary Robert Speer and Army Chief of Staff Mark Milley will testify before the committee on the Army budget request for fiscal 2018.
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.
