Defense hearings: Appropriations work in both chambers

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Melissa Canedo, a registered nurse at Naval Medical Center San Diego, scans the World Health Organization Surgical Check List before proceeding to the next phase in the operating procedure. The check list was created by the Institute for Health Care Improvement at the request of the WHO, aimed at improving communication and providing a more comprehensive way for surgeons to treat their patients.

June promises to be another busy defense month for lawmakers, with a slate of military budget measures winding their way through Congress this week.

The full Senate will continue consideration of the annual defense authorization bill, with dozens of amendments under consideration throughout the week and possible final vote on the measure by Friday.

The House Armed Services Committee will resume discussions on reforms suggested by the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission earlier this year, this time focusing on health care issues. Committee officials have already said they hope to offer legislation on a health care reform proposal by the end of the year.

Tuesday

Senate Appropriations — 10:30 a.m. — Dirksen 192

Defense appropriations

The subcommittee on defense will mark up its draft of the fiscal 2016 defense appropriations bill.

Senate Foreign Relations — 2:30 p.m. — Dirksen 419

Syria/Nominations

The committee will consider a series of presidential nominations and pending bills, including a measure requiring a report on war crimes in Syria.

Wednesday

House Homeland Security — 10 a.m. — Cannon 311

National security

The subcommittee on emergency preparedness will look at the role of civil authorities in national defense missions.

House Foreign Affairs — 10 a.m. — Rayburn 2172

Iran

The subcommittee on the Middle East will look at Iran’s ballistic missile technology and the threat it poses to neighboring countries.

Commission on Security in Europe — 2 p.m. — Rayburn 2175

ISIS

The commission will examine the escalating threat of Islamic State fighters in Central Asia.

House Veterans’ Affairs — 10:30 a.m. — Cannon 334

Medication management

The subcommittee on oversight will look at ongoing VA problems with prescription mismanagement and how that contributes to the risk of veteran suicide.

House Foreign Affairs — 2 p.m. — Rayburn 2200

Cuba

The subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere will review the recent changes in U.S./Cuba relations and how outstanding property claims may be settled.

Thursday

Senate Appropriations — 10:30 a.m. — Dirksen 106

Defense appropriations

The full committee will finalize work on the fiscal 2016 defense appropriations bill, as well as two other agency appropriations measures.

Senate Homeland Security — 10:30 a.m. — Dirksen 342

Whistleblowers

The committee will hear from current and former federal agency whistleblowers about retaliation following their actions.

House Armed Services — 2 p.m. — Rayburn 2212

Military health reform

The subcommittee on personnel will hear from the services’ surgeons general on the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission’s recommendations for military health care reform.

House Veterans’ Affairs — 2 p.m. — Cannon 334

Fiduciary concerns

The subcommittee on disability assistance will review the Veterans Benefits Administration’s fiduciary programs and concerns about oversight within the agency.

House Foreign Affairs — 2 p.m. — Rayburn 2172

Asian affairs

The subcommittee on Asia will review struggling democracies in the region and U.S. assistance policies.

House Foreign Affairs — 2 p.m. — Rayburn 2200

Child abduction

The subcommittee on human rights will review U.S. compliance with rules on tracking reports of abducted American children.

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.

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