Friday is the deadline for Congress to complete a new budget deal or cause a partial government shutdown. Republican and Democratic leaders are already working on an omnibus measure that would follow spending levels negotiated earlier this fall, but keep an eye on the progress throughout the week.
Both chambers are scheduled to stay in town until Dec. 18, but that could change if a budget deal is reached by the end of this week.
With that as a backdrop, Defense Secretary Ash Carter returns to Capitol Hill on Wednesday to discuss U.S. operations in Iraq and Syria, and the Pentagon decision to put additional special operations forces in the region to gather intelligence and go after Islamic State leaders.
House Veterans’ Affairs Committee members are expected to attack Veterans Affairs Department officials at their hearing on Wednesday over accountability problems at the department, prompted by a recent decision not to fire a pair of workers accused of gaming agency hiring processes and relocation expenses.
Tues., Dec. 8Senate Armed Services — 9:30 a.m. — Dirksen G50
Defense policy
Former national security officials Michele Flournoy, Michael Vickers and Jeffery Eggers meet with the committee to discuss the Pentagon’s development of policy and strategy.
House Veterans’ Affairs — 10 a.m. — Cannon 334
Pending legislation
The committee will mark up several pieces of pending legislation, including construction and benefits proposals.
Senate Foreign Relations — 10 a.m. — Dirksen 419
Business meeting
The committee will consider a series of resolutions and discuss lessons learned with officials from the Millennium Challenge Corp.
House Foreign Affairs — 2 p.m. — Rayburn 2172
Pakistan
The committee will discuss civil nuclear cooperation with Pakistan and possible risks of such an arrangement.
House Foreign Affairs — 2 p.m. — Rayburn 2200
Tuberculosis
Members of the global health subcommittee will discuss the threat drug-resistant tuberculosis presents worldwide.
House Armed Services — 2 p.m. — Rayburn 2212
Global Strike
The subcommittee on strategic forces will hear from outside experts on American and foreign developments in prompt global strike capabilities.
Wed., Dec. 9Senate Armed Services — 9:30 a.m. — Dirksen 106
ISIS
Defense Secretary Ash Carter and Joint Chiefs Vice Chairman Gen. Paul Selva will discuss military strategy in the Middle East and the ongoing fight against ISIS in Iraq and Syria.
Senate Foreign Relations — 9:30 a.m. — Dirksen 419
UN peacekeeping
The committee will discuss current United Nations peacekeeping efforts and opportunities for reform.
House Foreign Affairs — 10 a.m. — Rayburn 2172
Pending legislation
The committee will mark up several bills related to combating terrorism and training U.S. allies in the Middle East.
House Veterans’ Affairs — 10 a.m. — Cannon 334
VA accountability
VA Deputy Secretary Sloan Gibson will testify before the committee about accountability rules and concerns within the department.
House Armed Services — 2 p.m. — Rayburn 2118
Survivor Benefit Plan
The subcommittee on military personnel will review ongoing issues with concurrent receipt of the Survivor Benefit Plan and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation.
House Foreign Affairs — 2 p.m. — Rayburn 2255
ISIS victims
The subcommittee on global human rights will discuss humanitarian efforts to assist the victims of Islamic State, also known as ISIS, violence.
House Foreign Affairs — 2 p.m. — Rayburn 2200
Western Hemisphere
The committee will review emerging security challenges and threats in the Western Hemisphere from the past year.
Senate Armed Services — 2 p.m. — Dirksen 106
Nominations
The committee will consider the nominations of the new head of U.S. Southern Command, the new undersecretary for intelligence, the new assistant Air Force secretary for reserve affairs, and a new judge on the Armed Forces Court of Appeals.
Senate Foreign Relations — 2:30 p.m. — Dirksen 419
Burundi
The committee will discuss the political and security crisis in Burundi and possible U.S. actions.
Senate Veterans’ Affairs — 2:30 p.m. — Russell 418
Pending legislation
The committee will mark up several pieces of pending legislation, including health and benefits proposals.
House Armed Services — 3:30 p.m. — Rayburn 2212
Surface warfare
The subcommittee on seapower will discuss new innovations in surface warfare and challenges in the future.
Thurs., Dec. 10Senate Armed Services — 9:30 a.m. — Dirksen G50
Operations effectiveness
Former flag officers Norton Schwartz and James Stavridis will discuss ways to increase the effectiveness of military operations with the committee.
Senate Foreign Relations — 10 a.m. —Dirksen 419
South Sudan
State department officials will discuss political and security failures in South Sudan and options for the future.
