House appropriators are planning to mark-up their federal budget bills for fiscal 2022 in June, giving lawmakers a few weeks to review their plans and hopes for Defense Department and Veterans Affairs spending next year.
On Thursday, during an online event sponsored by the Brookings Institution, House Appropriations Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., said she expects her panel to mark up all of the spending bills next month, with the goal of floor passage in July. Senate lawmakers haven’t released a timeline for their budget work yet.
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That news, combined with recent comments from Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jack Reed, D-R.I., that his panel will mark up the annual defense authorization bill in July, sets up a hectic two months ahead for defense budget debate on Capitol Hill.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and the military service chiefs are all expected to testify before multiple congressional panels before the end of June.
White House officials in April unveiled plans for $715 billion in defense spending next fiscal year as part of a larger $1.5 trillion federal budget. Further details on that proposal are expected to be released later this month.
House Administration — 3 p.m. — online hearing
Capitol security
Security officials will testify on the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol building and the ongoing security efforts there.
Tuesday, May 11
Senate Armed Services — 9:30 a.m. — G-50 Dirksen
Nominations
The committee will consider the nominations of Ronald Moultrie to serve as Defense Undersecretary for Intelligence and Security and Mike McCord to serve as Department of Defense comptroller.
Wednesday, May 12
Senate Appropriations — 10 a.m. — 216 Hart
Domestic violent extremism
Attorney General Merrick Garland and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas will testify on the threat of extremism in America.
House Veterans' Affairs — 10 a.m. — online hearing
Transition during the pandemic
VA officials will testify on transition challenges for separating troops during the coronavirus pandemic.
House Foreign Affairs — 10 a.m. — 2172 Rayburn
Global climate change
John Kerry, special presidential envoy for climate, will testify on the administration’s plans to address global climate change.
Senate Foreign Relations — 10 a.m. —- online hearing
Pandemic international response
State Department officials will testify on the international community’s response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
House Armed Services — 11 a.m. — 2118 Rayburn
Afghanistan
Defense Department officials will testify on U.S. operations in Afghanistan.
Senate Budget — 11 a.m. — 608 Dirksen
Pentagon audits
Defense officials will testify on concerns of waste and inefficiency in Pentagon spending.
House Administration — 12 p.m. — online hearing
Capitol security
Security officials will testify on the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol building and emergency response efforts.
Senate Armed Services — 2:30 p.m. — 106 Dirksen
DOD personnel programs
Defense personnel and health officials will testify on the fiscal 2022 budget request.
Senate Veterans' Affairs — 3 p.m. — 301 Russell
Claims processing
VA officials will testify on the impact of the ongoing pandemic on disability claims processing.
Senate Armed Services — 4:30 p.m. — 232-A Russell
Nuclear forces
Gen. Timothy Ray, head of Air Force Global Strike Command, will testify before the committee on the fiscal 2022 budget request.
Thursday, May 13
Senate Armed Services — 9:30 a,m, — G-50 Dirksen
Nominations
The committee will consider the nomination of Christine Wormuth to be Secretary of the Army.
House Appropriations — 10 a.m. — online hearing
Navy/Marine Corps quality of life issues
Navy and Marine Corps officials will testify on housing and other quality of life issues in regards to the fiscal 2022 budget request.
House Foreign Affairs — 2 p.m. — online hearing
Latin America pandemic impact
Outside experts will testify on the impact of the ongoing pandemic on Latin American and Carribean countries.
Friday, May 14
House Armed Services — 11 a.m. — 2118 Rayburn
DOD cyber operations
Gen. Paul Nakasone, head of U.S. Cyber Command, will testify on Defense Department operations and priorities in cyberspace.
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.
