WASHINGTON \u2014 Senators are expected to grill the nation\u2019s top military officer on a series of topics during his reappointment hearing on Tuesday, even though there is little doubt they\u2019ll approve his return to the post in coming weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford Jr. has received largely positive reviews from lawmakers, and there is no indication he\u2019ll face significant roadblocks in receiving another two-year term for the post. President Donald Trump renominated Dunford for the role back in May.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But Dunford is likely to face a range of questions including recent North Korean aggression, the Iranian nuclear deal, the U.S. military build-up in Afghanistan, and the ongoing fight against Islamic State group fighters in the Middle East, all topics which Trump has made moves on in recent weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whether any of Dunford\u2019s responses makes national headlines remains to be seen. The Senate is expected to consider another major health care reform measure this week, a topic that has dominated much of the chamber\u2019s work in recent months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tuesday, Sept. 26<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\nSenate Armed Services \u2014 10 a.m. \u2014 Hart 216
\nNominations
\nThe committee will consider the reappointment of Gen. Joseph Dunford Jr. as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
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\nHouse Veterans\u2019 Affairs \u2014 10 a.m. \u2014 Cannon 334
\nPending legislation
\nThe subcommittee on health will consider several pending bills, including a draft measure on educational assistance for health professionals.
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\nHouse Foreign Affairs \u2014 10 a.m. \u2014 Rayburn 2172
\nState Department redesign
\nState Department Deputy Secretary John Sullivan testifies before the committee on proposed reforms at his agency.
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\nSenate Foreign Relations \u2014 10:30 a.m. \u2014 Dirksen 419
\nSecurity assistance
\nActing Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy Thomas Harvey III and other officials will testify on managing security assistance to support foreign policy.
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Wednesday, Sept. 27<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\nHouse Foreign Affairs \u2014 10 a.m. \u2014 Rayburn 2172
\nAfghanistan
\nThe subcommittee on the Middle East will hear from State Department officials on their fiscal 2018 budget request for Afghanistan and Pakistan programs.
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\nHouse Foreign Affairs \u2014 2 p.m. \u2014 Rayburn 2200
\nRwanda
\nThe subcommittee on Africa will hear from outside experts on security and stability challenges in Rwanda.
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\nHouse Armed Services \u2014 2 p.m. \u2014 Rayburn 2212
\nArmy tactical network
\nArmy Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Bruce Crawford and other service officials will testify before the committee on tactical network modernization plans.
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\nHouse Veterans\u2019 Affairs \u2014 2 p.m. \u2014 Cannon 334
\nGI Bill apprenticeships
\nThe subcommittee on economic opportunity will hear from VA officials on apprenticeship programs through department education benefits and ways to improve them.
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\nHouse Foreign Affairs \u2014 2:30 p.m. \u2014 Rayburn 2172
\nBurma
\nThe subcommittee on Asia will hear from outside experts on Burma\u2019s actions against Rohingya villages.
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\nSenate Veterans\u2019 Affairs \u2014 2:30 p.m. \u2014 Russell 418
\nSuicide prevention
\nVA Secretary David Shulkin and outside suicide prevention efforts will testify before the committee on department mental health efforts.
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