Work on the 2016 defense authorization bill will dominate both chambers of Congress again this week, with the full House scheduled to vote on its draft midweek and the Senate Armed Services Committee hoping to finalizing its version by Friday.
Unlike their House counterparts, who marked up every part of the defense policy bill in public, about half of the Senate Armed Services subcommittee deliberations will be closed, as will the full committee markup.
Media and military advocates have pushed for those hearings to be made public for years, but the committee this year again opted to hold their discussions behind closed doors.
Both the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs committees will receive updates on the Veterans Choice Card program this week, and separately consider a host of bills dealing with upgrades to other veterans benefits.
Monday
Senate Armed Services — 2:30 p.m. — Russell 222
Closed markup
The subcommittee on airland will debate and finalize its sections of the 2016 defense authorization bill.
Senate Foreign Relations — 6 p.m. — Hart 219
Closed hearing
The committee will discuss political and security implications of a U.S.-China nuclear agreement.
Tuesday
Senate Armed Services — 9:30 a.m. — Russell 222
Closed markup
The subcommittee on seapower will debate and finalize its sections of the 2016 defense authorization bill.
Senate Armed Services — 11 a.m. — Russell 222
Closed markup
The subcommittee on strategic forces will debate and finalize its sections of the 2016 defense authorization bill.
Senate Armed Services — 2 p.m. — Dirksen 106
Readiness markup
The subcommittee on readiness will hold an open hearing to debate and finalize its sections of the annual 2016 authorization bill.
Senate Foreign Relations — 2:30 p.m. — Dirksen 419
Chinese nuclear issues
The committee will hold an open session to discuss the civil nuclear agreement with China.
Senate Veterans' Affairs — 2:30 p.m. — Russell 418
Veterans Choice program
The committee will discuss ongoing implementation challenges with the Veterans Choice Program and future updates to veterans health care.
Senate Armed Services — 3:30 p.m. — Dirksen 106
Emerging threats markup
The subcommittee on emerging threats will hold an open hearing to debate and finalize its sections of the 2016 defense authorization bill.
Senate Armed Services — 5:30 p.m. — Dirksen 106
Personnel markup
The subcommittee on personnel will hold an open hearing to debate and finalize its sections of the 2016 defense authorization bill.
Wednesday
Senate Armed Services — 9:30 a.m. — Russell 222
Closed markup
The full committee will debate and finalize the 2016 defense authorization bill. Deliberations are expected to last all day, and may extend to Thursday and Friday if necessary.
House Veterans' Affairs — 10 a.m. — Cannon 334
Veterans Choice program
The committee will discuss ongoing implementation challenges with the Veterans Choice Program and future updates to veterans health care.
House Foreign Affairs — 10 a.m. — Rayburn 2172
ISIS
The committee will examine ISIS forces' persecution of religious minorities in the Middle East and international response to that threat.
Senate Veterans' Affairs — 3 p.m. — Russell 418
Pending legislation
Senators will discuss benefits legislation pending before the committee.
Thursday
Senate Foreign Relations — 10 a.m. — Dirksen 419
Cybersecurity
The subcommittee on cybersecurity will discuss setting rules for responsible global cyber behavior.
House Foreign Affairs — 10 a.m. — Rayburn 2172
Asia
The committee will discuss advancing U.S. economic interests in Asia and strengthening diplomatic relations in the region.
House Transportation — 10:30 a.m. — Rayburn 2253
Coast Guard acquisitions
The subcommittee on the Coast Guard will discuss acquisition requests and the agency's 2016 budget request.
House Veterans' Affairs — 10:30 a.m. — Cannon 334
VA waste
The subcommittee on oversight will review waste and fraud allegations in the VA purchase card program.
House Foreign Affairs — 2 p.m. — Rayburn 2200
Energy issues
The subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere will discuss regional energy policies and the security challenges they pose for the U.S.
House Veterans' Affairs — 2 p.m. — Cannon 334
Pending legislation
The subcommittee on disability assistance will mark up pending legislation.
House Foreign Affairs — 2:30 p.m. — Rayburn 2172
Sex trafficking
The subcommittee on global health will discuss rescue and refuge options for victims of sex trafficking crimes.
Friday
House Veterans' Affairs -- 9:45 a.m. -- Cannon 334
VA staffing
The subcommittee on health will review several pieces of pending legislation and discuss current barriers to efficient staffing levels at VA health facilities.
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.
