With little progress on advancing full year appropriations bills for federal agencies, lawmakers have just two weeks to negotiate a budget extension or risk a partial government shutdown at the start of October.
House and Senate leaders have said in recent days they are working on a short-term budget plan but have not yet released any details. The new fiscal year starts on Oct. 1, one day after both chambers are scheduled to begin a pre-election recess.
Significant progress on a full year budget deal is not expected until after the midterm election, when voters will decide which party will hold control of the House and Senate for the next two years.
A partial government shutdown would not close Veterans Affairs hospitals or cancel major military activities, but could delay some training, programming and paychecks.
Senate Banking — 9 a.m. — 538 Dirksen
Russian sanctions
Treasury and Justice Department officials will testify on U.S. sanctions against Russian officials for that country’s war against Ukraine.
Senate Armed Services — 9:30 a.m. — G-50 Dirksen
U.S. nuclear strategy
Outside experts will testify on current U.S. nuclear strategy and policy issues.
House Veterans' Affairs — 10 a.m. — H210 Visitors Center
VA acquisition failures
Department officials and outside experts will testify on problems with recent VA acquisition efforts.
Wednesday, Sept. 21
House Foreign Affairs — 10 a.m. — 2172 Rayburn
Middle East/North Africa security
Outside experts will testify on regional security cooperation efforts in the Middle East and North Africa.
Senate Appropriations — 10 a.m. — 124 Dirksen
VA health records
Department officials will testify on continued problems with VA’s electronic health records modernization initiative.
House Foreign Affairs — 2 p.m. — 2172 Rayburn
Russian war crimes
Outside experts will testify on reports of Russian war crimes in Ukraine.
House Armed Services — 2 p.m. — 2118 Rayburn
Military sexual assault
Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel Gil Cisneros and service officials will testify on the findings of the Independent Review Commission on Sexual Assault in the Military.
Senate Foreign Relations — 2:15 p.m. — 419 Dirksen
Women leadership
Outside experts will testify on women leaders countering authoritarian regimes.
Senate Veterans' Affairs — 3 p.m. — 418 Russell
Veterans' access to care
VA officials will testify on patient access to department health care and community care programs.
Senate Armed Services — 3:30 p.m. — 222 Russell
Military recruiting
Service officials will testify on current challenges to recruiting and retention efforts.
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.
