{"id":46885,"date":"2017-05-01T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-05-01T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2017\/05\/01\/this-week-in-congress-a-parade-of-combatant-commanders\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T12:23:09","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T12:23:09","slug":"this-week-in-congress-a-parade-of-combatant-commanders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/congress\/2017\/05\/01\/this-week-in-congress-a-parade-of-combatant-commanders\/","title":{"rendered":"This week in Congress: A parade of combatant commanders"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WASHINGTON — Lawmakers will host a series of leaders from the military\u2019s combatant commands this week as they wrangle with budget questions for 2017 and 2018. On Tuesday, the leaders of U.S. Transportation Command, U.S. Special Operations Command and U.S. European Command will make separate appearances before the House and Senate, detailing their challenges from external threats and from internal budget pressures. The conversations come as lawmakers face another deadline at the end of the week to approve a short-term budget for the remainder of fiscal 2017 or trigger a partial government shutdown. Facing a similar deadline last week, lawmakers approved a one-week budget. Also on Capitol Hill this week, VA Secretary David Shulkin will testify about his budget priorities for next year, just a day after the House Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee considers legislation to fix issues with the benefits appeals process, an issue VA leadership has lobbied lawmakers on for more than a year. Tuesday<\/b>Senate Armed Services<\/a> — 9:30 a.m. — Dirksen G50U.S. Transportation Command<\/i>TRANSCOM head Gen. Darren McDew will testify before the committee on threats and challenges facing his command.House Armed Services<\/a> \u00a0— 10 a.m. — Rayburn 2118Special Operations forces<\/i>SOCCOM head Gen. Raymond Thomas III will testify before the committee on challenges facing his command.House Veterans Affairs<\/a> — 10 a.m. — Cannon 334Appeals legislation<\/i>The committee will consider legislation to modernize the VA benefits claims appeals process.Senate Foreign Relations<\/a> — 10 a.m. — Dirksen 419Nominations<\/i>The committee will consider the nomination of Terry Branstad to serve as the new ambassador to China.House Veterans Affairs<\/a> — 2 p.m. — Cannon 334Lower extremity conditions<\/i>The subcommittee on health will examine issues with care of lower extremity conditions at VA facilities.Senate Appropriations<\/a> — 2:30 p.m. — Dirksen 214U.S. European Command<\/i>The committee will hear from U.S. European Command officials on emerging threats and the progress of the European Reassurance Initiative.House Armed Services<\/a> \u00a0— 3:30 p.m. — Rayburn 2118Sexual harassment<\/i>Military officials will testify before the committee on the annual report on sexual harassment and violence at the military service academies.Wednesday<\/b>House Appropriations<\/a> — 10 a.m. — Rayburn 2359VA budget<\/i>VA Secretary David Shulkin will testify before the committee on his department\u2019s budget request for fiscal 2018.Senate Armed Services<\/a> — 10 a.m. — Russell 222Defense laboratories<\/i>Defense officials will testify before the committee on the importance of military laboratories and their impact on readiness.Senate Foreign Relations<\/a> — 10 a.m. — Dirksen 419Global philanthropy<\/i>The committee will hear from outside analysts on the importance of philanthropy and remittances in international development efforts. \u00a0Senate Appropriations<\/a> — 10:30 a.m. — Dirksen 192Defense funding<\/i>Pentagon officials will testify before the committee on defense innovation and research funding.Senate Armed Services<\/a> — 2:30 p.m. — Russell 222Military personnel rules<\/i>Officials from the Bipartisan Policy Commission Task Force on Defense Personnel will testify on potential changes to military personnel rules.House Armed Services<\/a> — 3:30 p.m. — Rayburn 2118Littoral combat ships<\/i>The subcommittee on seapower will hear from Navy officials on littoral combat ships and the transition to frigate class.Thursday<\/b>Senate Armed Services<\/a> — 9:30 a.m. — Dirksen G50U.S. Special Operations Command<\/i>SOCCOM head Gen. Raymond Thomas III will testify before the committee on challenges facing his command.Senate Appropriations<\/a> — 10:30 a.m. — Dirksen 124VA telemedicine<\/i>VA officials will testify before the committee on the expansion of telehealth services.