WASHINGTON \u2014 Defense Secretary James Mattis will appear before both House and Senate panels this week to discuss President Donald Trump\u2019s new strategy in Afghanistan and the effects on stability in the broader region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mattis, along with Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford Jr., will appear before the House and Senate Armed Services committees on Tuesday, giving his assessment of progress so far and the challenges ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s the second appearance for Dunford on Capitol Hill in a week, after he re-appointment hearing before senators last week. During that hearing, Dunford said U.S. forces are in a \u201ccritical transition\u201d in Afghanistan and said Trump\u2019s new approach \u201cremoves restrictions on military authorities and force levels in order to reinforce our relationship with Afghan forces.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Earlier this month, Mattis signed orders to send 3,500 additional U.S. forces to the region, pushing the total number of U.S. troops in the country well over 10,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTuesday, Oct. 3<\/strong>
Senate Homeland Security \u2014 9:30 a.m. \u2014 Dirksen 342
Nominations<\/i>
The committee will consider the nomination of John Marshall Mitnick to be general counsel for the Department of Homeland Security.
Senate Armed Services \u2014 10 a.m. \u2014 Dirksen G-50
Afghanistan<\/i>
Defense Secretary James Mattis and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford Jr. will testify before the committee on the security situation in Afghanistan.
House Foreign Affairs \u2014 12 p.m. \u2014 Rayburn 2172
Iraq<\/i>
The committee will hear from outside experts on genocide emergency relief in Iraq and Syria.
House Armed Services \u2014 1 p.m. \u2014 Rayburn 2118
South Asia<\/i>
Defense Secretary James Mattis and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford Jr. will testify before the committee on the security situation in Afghanistan and the broader region.
Senate Foreign Relations \u2014 2 p.m. \u2014 Dirksen 419
Nominations<\/i>
The committee will consider several pending nominations, including the new ambassadors to Cameroon, Angola and Zambia.
House Armed Services \u2014 3:30 p.m. \u2014 Rayburn 2212
ISIL<\/i>
Former Iraq Ambassador Ryan Crocker and other outside experts will testify before the committee on ways to secure the Middle East after the defeat of the Islamic State group.
Senate Homeland Security \u2014 10:00 a.m. \u2014 Dirksen 342
Pending legislation<\/i>
The committee will consider several pending bills, including one requiring new reports on the backlog of personnel security clearance investigations.
House Foreign Affairs \u2014 10 a.m. \u2014 Rayburn 2172
Antiterrorism initiatives<\/i>
Jason Blair, acting director of International Affairs and Trade at the U.S. Government Accountability Office, will testify on the State Department\u2019s antiterrorism assistance program.
Senate Foreign Relations \u2014 10:30 a.m. \u2014 Dirksen 419
ISIS<\/i>
The committee will consider several pending nominations and hear from outside experts on the future of the Middle East after the fall of the Islamic State group.
House Veterans\u2019 Affairs \u2014 10:30 a.m. \u2014 Cannon 334
Pending legislation<\/i>
The subcommittee on disability assistance will consider a series of pending bills related to VA benefits.
House Foreign Affairs \u2014 2 p.m. \u2014 Rayburn 2172
Iran<\/i>
Outside experts will testify before the committee on the influence of Iranian militias on stability in the Middle East.
Senate Veterans’ Affairs \u2014 2:30 p.m. \u2014 Russell 418
Nominations<\/i>
The committee will consider a series of nominations, including Randy Reeves to be the under secretary for memorial affairs and Cheryl Mason to be chair of the Board of Veterans’ Appeals.
Thursday, Oct. 5<\/strong>
House Foreign Affairs \u2014 9 a.m. \u2014 Rayburn 2172
Burma<\/i>
State Department officials will testify before the committee on violence against Rohingya groups in Burma.
Senate Foreign Relations \u2014 2 p.m. \u2014 Dirksen 419
Nominations<\/i>
The subcommittee will consider several pending nominations.