Congress is poised to advance two major pieces of defense legislation ahead of the start of its end-of-summer break, but completion of either measure is still months away.
The Senate is expected to finalize its version of the annual defense authorization bill before the end of the week. The measure sets budget priorities and Defense Department policies for the upcoming fiscal year, including the annual pay raise for troops.
The House passed its draft earlier this month. If the Senate finishes its work, it will allow staffers to work behind the scenes over Congress’ upcoming six-week break to start negotiating a compromise bill, a hefty task given the partisan fights in the House over the proposal.
Meanwhile, the Senate Appropriations Committee is set to vote on Thursday on its budget plan for the Defense Department for next fiscal year. The House Appropriations Committee has already finished its work on the same measure, but advancing the Senate’s plan will also allow for compromise work over the congressional recess.
When lawmakers return to Capitol Hill in early September, they’ll have only a few weeks before the start of the new fiscal year on Oct. 1. If they can’t pass a full funding bill for fiscal 2024 before then or pass a continuation of the current budget plan, it will trigger a partial government shutdown.
Congressional staffers said a continuing resolution in September is more likely than a full budget plan, given the current disagreements among Democratic and Republican leaders on funding levels and priorities.
Wednesday, July 26
Senate Homeland Security — 9 a.m. — 562 DirksenPending Legislation
The committee will consider several pending bills.
House Veterans' Affairs — 10 a.m. — 360 Cannon
Pending Legislation
The committee will consider several pending bills.
House Foreign Affairs — 10 a.m. — Visitors Center H210
Pending Legislation
The committee will consider several pending bills.
Senate Foreign Relations — 10 a.m. — 419 Dirksen
U.S. Economic Security
State Department officials will testify on national security and its connection to the U.S. economy.
House Oversight — 10 a.m. — 2154 Rayburn
UFOs
Federal officials will testify on sightings of unidentified anomalous phenomena and the public release of that information.
House Oversight — 1 p.m. — 2154 Rayburn
Defense Travel System
Defense officials will testify on work to upgrade and improve the Defense Travel System.
Senate Foreign Relations — 2:30 p.m. — 419 Dirksen
Nominations
The committee will consider several pending nominations.
Senate Veterans' Affairs — 3 p.m. — 418 Russell
PACT Act Implementation
Veterans Affairs officials will testify on implementation of new benefits for veterans exposed to toxic substances while in the service.
Senate Armed Services — 4 p.m. — 106 Dirksen
DOD Personnel Programs
Pentagon officials will testify on personnel programs goals and challenges for next year.
House Select China — 7 p.m. — 390 Cannon
Emerging Technologies
Outside experts will testify on American and Chinese efforts to develop emerging technologies for national security.
Thursday, July 27
Senate Foreign Relations — 10 a.m. — 419 DirksenHaiti
Outside experts will testify on the security situation in Haiti.
House Veterans' Affairs — 10 a.m. — 360 Cannon
VA Disability Exams
Veterans Affairs officials will testify on problems with department disability exam rules and scheduling.
House Foreign Affairs — 10 a.m. — Visitors Center H210
Afghanistan Withdrawal
Outside experts will testify on missteps in the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan in 2021.
Senate Appropriations — 10:30 a.m. — 106 Dirksen
Defense Budget
Committee members will mark up their draft of the fiscal 2024 defense budget.
House Transportation — 2 p.m. — 2253 Rayburn
Coast Guard
Coast Guard officials will testify on their budget request for fiscal 2024.
House Foreign Affairs — 2 p.m. — Visitors Center H210
Colombia
Outside experts will testify on the current security situation in Colombia.
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.
