WASHINGTON — The House Armed Services Committee will hold its annual defense authorization bill mark-up on Wednesday, a day-long legislative marathon that’s expected to cover a host of military readiness and modernization topics.
The legislation includes a 2.6 percent pay raise for troops in 2019 and a 25 percent cut to civilian military accounts. Republicans and Democrats are expected to debate a host of other topics over the course of Wednesday, to include transgender troops, military end strength and even President Donald Trump’s proposed military parade.
Senate Armed Services Committee officials announced they’ll have a mark-up of their draft of the legislation the week of May 21. Officials from both committees are hoping to have their chambers pass final drafts by mid-summer.
Also this week, House Veterans’ Affairs Committee members will debate a pair of major veterans bills on Tuesday: a community care overhaul measure which includes an expansion of the caregivers stipend, and an extension of disability benefits to so-called “blue water” Navy veterans from the Vietnam War.
House Veterans' Affairs — 10 a.m. — Cannon 334
Pending legislation
The committee will consider several pending measures, including a community care overhaul plan.
House Foreign Affairs — 10 a.m. — Rayburn 2172
Iran nuclear agreement
Outside experts will testify before the committee on the Iranian nuclear deal and prospects for its future.
House Appropriations — 10 a.m. — Rayburn 2359
VA budget
The full committee will mark up its draft of the fiscal 2019 VA and military construction budget.
House Veterans' Affairs — 2 p.m. — Cannon 334
VA logistics
Department officials will testify on VA logistics modernization efforts.
Wednesday, May 9
Senate Select Intelligence — 9:30 a.m. — Hart 216
Haspel nomination
The committee will consider the nomination of Gina Haspel to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency.
House Armed Services — 10 a.m. — Rayburn 2118
NDAA mark up
The committee will mark up its draft of the fiscal 2019 defense authorization bill.
Senate Appropriations Committee — 10 a.m. — Dirksen 192
Defense budget
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Joint Chiefs Chairman Joseph Dunford Jr. will testify before the committee on the fiscal 2019 budget request.
House Foreign Affairs — 10 a.m. — Rayburn 2172
Pending legislation
The committee will consider several pending measures, including a measure to establish the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation.
House Appropriations — 10:30 a.m. — Capitol H140
Members’ day, defense
The subcommittee on defense will hear member priorities for the fiscal 2019 defense appropriations bill.
House Foreign Affairs — 1:30 p.m. — Rayburn 2172
Sub-Saharan Africa
Outside experts will testify on limits to faith-based groups and political speech in sub-Saharan Africa.
Senate Appropriations Committee — 2:30 p.m. — Dirksen 124
VA budget
Top department officials will testify before the committee on the fiscal 2019 budget request.
Senate Homeland Security — 2:30 p.m. — Dirksen 342
Afghanistan oversight
Defense officials will testify on U.S. spending in Afghanistan and oversight of those funds.
Thursday, May 10
House Appropriations — 10 a.m. — Capitol HT2
Members’ day, state
The subcommittee on state and foreign operations will hear member priorities for the fiscal 2019 appropriations bill.
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.
