WASHINGTON — With a week to go before the White House unveils its fiscal 2018 budget request, lawmakers will spend this week laying the groundwork for an abbreviated, hectic budget season over the next two months.
Most Hill staffers are still hopeful that their normal budget process can be finished before Congress breaks in August, but that will mean a host of hearings and mark-ups in June and July. Typically, that work is already underway in April, but the change in administrations pushed the calendar back significantly.
Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Paul Zukunft will be on Capitol Hill Thursday to discuss his fiscal 2018 budget plans, which will receive extra attention given the White House’s preliminary plans to cut back on service funding.
And amid the budget talk, members of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee will begin work on their VA accountability compromise announced last week, in the hopes of moving the legislation quickly through both chambers.
Wednesday
House Armed Services — Rayburn 2118 — 10 a.m.
Defense Acquisition
Members of the Section 809 Panel will testify before the committee on ways to streamline and simplify the defense procurement and acquisition process.
House Foreign Affairs — 10 a.m. — Rayburn 2172
South America
The subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere will hear from outside experts on energy opportunities in South America.
House Veterans’ Affairs — 10 a.m. — Cannon 334
Legislative Markup
Committee members will mark up a series of bills related to veterans reforms.
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe — 9:30 a.m. — Visitor’s Center 208
Russia
The commission will discuss the growing Russian military threat in Europe, focusing on possible U.S. response.
Senate Armed Services — 2 p.m. — Russell 222
Space policy
Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein, Air Force Space Command head Gen. John Raymond and other service officials will testify before the committee on U.S. military space organization, policy and programs.
Senate Foreign Relations — 2:00 p.m. — Dirksen 419
Nominations
The committee will consider the nomination of Scott Brown to be ambassador to New Zealand.
House Foreign Affairs — 2 p.m. — Rayburn 2200
Security in the Balkans
The subcommittee on Europe will hear from outside experts on peace and stability issues in the Balkans.
House Foreign Affairs — 2:30 p.m. — Rayburn 2172
Southeast Asia
The subcommittee on Asia will hear from outside experts on the U.S. relationship with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Senate Veterans’ Affairs — 2:30 p.m. — Russell 418
Pending legislation
The committee will consider pending legislation, including a new VA accountability measure.
Senate Armed Services — 3:30 p.m. — Russell 232A
Small Arms
Former military officials will testify before the committee on the military’s small arms requirements and possible new equipment purchases.
House Armed Services — 3:30 p.m. — Rayburn 2118
Military personnel policies
Chief of Naval Personnel Vice Adm. Robert Burke and other service personnel leaders will testify before the committee on the military’s personnel posture for fiscal 2018.
Thursday
House Appropriations — 8 a.m. — Rayburn 2007
Coast Guard
The subcommittee on homeland security will hear from Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Paul Zukunft on fiscal 2018 budget priorities.
House Foreign Affairs — 10 a.m. — Rayburn 2172
Africa
The subcommittee on Africa will hear from outside experts on the U.S. security issues there.
House Armed Services — 2 p.m. — Rayburn 2212
Amphibious warfare
Outside analysts will testify before the committee on amphibious warfare strategy and challenges ahead.
House Foreign Affairs — 2 p.m. — Rayburn 2172
China
The subcommittee on human rights will hear from families affected by Chinese detention policies.
Friday
House Armed Services — 9 a.m. — Rayburn 2118
Space
Gen. John Raymond, head of Air Force Space Command, and other defense officials will testify on fiscal 2018 priorities for the National Security Space Enterprise.
Leo Shane III covers Congress, Veterans Affairs and the White House for Military Times. He can be reached at lshane@militarytimes.com.
This week in Congress: Prepping for the White House budget
