{"id":89624,"date":"2017-04-03T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-04-03T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/uncategorized\/2017\/04\/03\/this-week-in-congress-concerns-about-the-cr\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T08:52:34","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T08:52:34","slug":"this-week-in-congress-concerns-about-the-cr","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/news\/pentagon-congress\/2017\/04\/03\/this-week-in-congress-concerns-about-the-cr\/","title":{"rendered":"This week in Congress: Concerns about the CR"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WASHINGTON\u00a0\u2014\u00a0Defense officials are expected to offer stern warnings to lawmakers on Capitol Hill this week in a series of hearings scheduled just weeks before a congressional budget showdown. Lawmakers have to finalize a budget for the remainder of fiscal 2017 by the end of April or trigger a partial government shutdown. In recent days, talk of a continuing resolution to fund the government through the end of September has slowly built in the halls of Congress, raising concerns among defense officials who say that would cause tremendous funding headaches for the military. On Wednesday, the military service chiefs are expected to hammer home that message, predicting sidelined equipment and dramatic cuts in troop training if the military is forced to operate for the next five months under fiscal 2016 levels. Officials from U.S. Strategic Command, U.S. Northern Command and U.S. Southern Command are also scheduled to testify this week, and will likely face related questions. On veterans issues, Tuesday\u2019s House Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee hearing on problems at the Veterans\u2019 Crisis Line will draw heavy attention, after VA officials pushed back on reports last week about delays and mistakes at the emergency hotline. Tuesday<\/b>Senate Armed Services<\/a> — 9:30 a.m. — Dirksen G50STRATCOM<\/i>Gen. John Hyten, head of U.S. Strategic Command, will testify before the committee on current operations and future budget concerns.Senate Homeland Security<\/a> — 9:30 a.m. — Dirksen 342U.S.\/Mexico border<\/i>Department of Homeland Security officials will testify before the committee on White House proposals for fencing along the U.S. southwest border.House Veterans\u2019 Affairs<\/a> — 10 a.m. — Cannon 334Veterans Crisis Line<\/i>VA officials and outside advocates will testify before the committee on ongoing concerns with the Veterans Crisis Line.House Armed Services<\/a> — 10 a.m. — Rayburn 2118Defense reform<\/i>Outside experts, including Center for a New American Security CEO Michele Flournoy, will testify before the committee on opportunities for defense reform.Senate Foreign Relations<\/a> — 10:15 a.m. — Dirksen 419European Union<\/i>The committee will hear from witness on the importance of European Union countries as a partner against Russian aggression in the region.House Veterans\u2019 Affairs<\/a> — \u00a02 p.m. — Cannon 334VA approved appraisers<\/i>Department officials will testify on the VA appraisal program and ways to update those servicesHouse Homeland Security<\/a> — 2 p.m. — Visitors Center H210Border security<\/i>The subcommittee on border security will hear from outside experts on the value of new task forces to combat national security threats.House Financial Services<\/a> — 2 p.m. — Rayburn 2128Iran<\/i>The committee will hear from outside experts on the effectiveness of non-nuclear sanctions against IranSenate Armed Services<\/a> — 2:30 pm. — Visitors Center S217Closed briefing<\/i>The subcommittee on cybersecurity will receive a classified briefing on cyber threats to the United States.Wednesday<\/b>Senate Homeland Security<\/a> — 9:30 a.m. — Dirksen 342Border security<\/i>The committee will hear from outside experts on ways to improve border security and public safety.House Armed Services<\/a> — 10 a.m. — Rayburn 2118Defense budgets<\/i>The service chiefs of staff will testify before the committee on the impact of a continuing resolution on military operations and stability.Senate Appropriations<\/a> — 10 a.m. — Dirksen 192Sex assault<\/i>The committee will hear from U.S. Merchant Marine Academy officials on ways to preventing sexual assault and sexual harassment in the ranks.House Veterans\u2019 Affairs<\/a> — 10:30 a.m. — Cannon 334Legislative hearing<\/i>The subcommittee on disability assistance will mark up seven bills, including the “Quicker Veterans Benefits Delivery” act.House Foreign Affairs<\/a> — 2 p.m. — Rayburn 2172Turkey<\/i>The subcommittee on Europe will hear from outside experts on challenges to Turkey\u2019s democracy.House Armed Services<\/a> — 2 p.m. — Rayburn 2212Marine Corps readiness<\/i>Marine Corps officials will testify before the committee on current service operations and looming budget challenges.House Oversight<\/a> — 2 p.m. — Rayburn 2154Iran<\/i>The subcommittee on national security will hear from outside officials on the Iraq nuclear deal and its long-term implications.Thursday<\/b>House Veterans\u2019 Affairs<\/a> — 8 a.m. — Cannon 334Legislative mark-up<\/i>The subcommittee on health will review a series of pending bills.House Armed Services<\/a> — 9 a.m. — Rayburn 2212Defense contract auditing<\/i>Anita Bales, director of the Defense Contract Audit Agency, will testify before the committee on the defense contract auditing process.Senate Armed Services<\/a> — 9:30 a.m. — Dirksen G50SOUTHCOM and NORTHCOM<\/i>Adm. Kurt Tidd, head of U.S. Southern Command, and Gen. Lori Robinson, head of U.S. Northern Command, will testify before the committee on current operations and future budget issues.