{"id":51877,"date":"2015-07-13T12:30:27","date_gmt":"2015-07-13T12:30:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2015\/07\/13\/defense-hearings-military-nominations-and-va-reforms\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T08:36:45","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T08:36:45","slug":"defense-hearings-military-nominations-and-va-reforms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/pentagon-congress\/2015\/07\/13\/defense-hearings-military-nominations-and-va-reforms\/","title":{"rendered":"Defense hearings: Military nominations and VA reforms"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure class=\"wp-block-smg-jwplayer-video\"><atype-video-jwplayer nostick=\"true\" playlisturl=\"https:\/\/cdn.jwplayer.com\/v2\/playlists\/fCzRqMW8?tags=378d1e27-7417-4d91-9d10-5ca96743e44f\" aspectratio=\"16 \/ 9\" mute autostart=\"false\"><\/atype-video-jwplayer><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">While negotiations on the annual defense authorization and appropriations bills continue behind the scenes, lawmakers will host a full slate of military and foreign policy hearings this week as they wind down their summer session.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While negotiations on the annual defense authorization and appropriations bills continue behind the scenes, lawmakers will host a full slate of military and foreign policy hearings this week as they wind down their summer session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On Tuesday, the Senate Armed Services Committee will consider the nomination of the new vice chairman for the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the new head of U.S. Transportation Command. The hearing is also a likely opportunity for the panel to advance the nomination of incoming Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford Jr., who faced little opposition from the committee during his confirmation hearing last week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The House Veterans&#8217; Affairs Committee takes up another major reform bill Wednesday, again designed to increase accountability throughout the Department of Veterans Affairs by making it easier to fire or discipline problem employees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The House Foreign Affairs Committee will hold a series of hearings this week looking at China and East Asia security concerns. They come amid accusations that the communist country may have been behind the recent data theft of more than 21 million federal employees, including military personnel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><b><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Tuesday<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.armed-services.senate.gov\/\"><span style=\"color: #1155cc; background-color: transparent;\">Senate Armed Services<\/span><\/a><span style=\"color: #000000; background-color: transparent;\"> \u2014 9:30 a.m. \u2014 Dirksen G50<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><i><span style=\"color: #000000; background-color: transparent;\">Nominations<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The committee will consider the nominations of Air Force Gen. Paul Selva to be vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Air Force Gen. Darren McDew to be head of U.S. Transportation Command.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/veterans.house.gov\/hearing\/legislative-hearing-3\"><span style=\"color: #1155cc; background-color: transparent;\">House Veterans&#8217; Affairs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"color: #000000; background-color: transparent;\"> \u2014 10 a.m. \u2014 Cannon 334<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><i><span style=\"color: #000000; background-color: transparent;\">Legislative proposals<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The subcommittee on health will consider a series of bills pending before the committee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/foreignaffairs.house.gov\/hearing\/implications-nuclear-agreement-iran-part-ii\"><span style=\"color: #1155cc; background-color: transparent;\">House Foreign Affairs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"color: #000000; background-color: transparent;\"> \u2014 10 a.m. \u2014 Rayburn 2172 <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><i><span style=\"color: #000000; background-color: transparent;\">Iran<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The committee will host another hearing reviewing parts of the Obama administration&#8217;s possible nuclear agreement with Iran, with questions on potential congressional actions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/judiciary.house.gov\/index.cfm\/hearings?ID=A67DCDA2-A9BD-47D7-A238-977A9920C76B\"><span style=\"color: #1155cc; background-color: transparent;\">House Judiciary<\/span><\/a><span style=\"color: #000000; background-color: transparent;\"> \u2014 10 a.m. \u2014 Rayburn 2141<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><i><span style=\"color: #000000; background-color: transparent;\">Homeland Security<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson will brief the committee on ongoing department operations and future threats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/appropriations.house.gov\/Calendar\/EventSingle.aspx?EventID=394303\"><span style=\"color: #1155cc; background-color: transparent;\">House Appropriations<\/span><\/a><span style=\"color: #000000; background-color: transparent;\"> \u2014 10:15 a.m. \u2014 Rayburn 2359<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><i><span style=\"color: #000000; background-color: transparent;\">Homeland Security budget<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The committee will mark up the Homeland Security appropriations bill for fiscal 2016.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/foreignaffairs.house.gov\/hearing\/subcommittee-hearing-european-unions-future\"><span style=\"color: #1155cc; background-color: transparent;\">House Foreign Affairs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"color: #000000; background-color: transparent;\"> \u2014 2 p.m. \u2014 Rayburn 2200 <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><i><span style=\"color: #000000; background-color: transparent;\">European Union<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Committee members will review the future of the European Union in light of recent economic and political turmoil in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/foreignaffairs.house.gov\/hearing\/subcommittee-hearing-tunisia-s-fragile-democratic-transition\"><span style=\"color: #1155cc; background-color: transparent;\">House Foreign Affairs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"color: #000000; background-color: transparent;\"> \u2014 2 p.m. \u2014 Rayburn 2172<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><i><span style=\"color: #000000; background-color: transparent;\">Tunisia <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The subcommittee on North Africa will review challenges to the democratic government in Tunisia and security challenges in the broader region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/homeland.house.gov\/hearing\/joint-subcommittee-hearing-weapons-mass-destruction-bolstering-dhs-combat-persistent-threats\"><span style=\"color: #1155cc; background-color: transparent;\">House Homeland Security<\/span><\/a><span style=\"color: #000000; background-color: transparent;\"> \u2014 2 p.m. \u2014 Cannon 311<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><i><span style=\"color: #000000; background-color: transparent;\">WMDs<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The subcommittee on infrastructure protection will examine the Department of Homeland Security&#8217;s capabilities to track and detect weapons of mass destruction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.intelligence.senate.gov\/\"><span style=\"color: #1155cc; background-color: transparent;\">Senate Intelligence<\/span><\/a><span style=\"color: #000000; background-color: transparent;\"> \u2014 2:30 p.m. \u2014 Hart 219<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><i><span style=\"color: #000000; background-color: transparent;\">Closed briefing<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The committee will hold a classified hearing to examine pending intelligence matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><b><span style=\"color: #000000; background-color: transparent;\">Wednesday<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hsgac.senate.gov\/\"><span style=\"color: #1155cc; background-color: transparent;\">Senate Homeland Security<\/span><\/a><span style=\"color: #000000; background-color: transparent;\"> \u2014 10 a.m. \u2014 Dirksen 342<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><i><span style=\"color: #000000; background-color: transparent;\">Border security <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The committee will look at border security issues, focusing on threats and strategies on the nation&#8217;s maritime border.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/veterans.house.gov\/markup\/markup-of-hr-1994\"><span style=\"color: #1155cc; background-color: transparent;\">House Veterans&#8217; Affairs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"color: #000000; background-color: transparent;\"> \u2014 10 a.m. \u2014 Cannon 334<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><i><span style=\"color: #000000; background-color: transparent;\">Pending legislation<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The full committee will mark up the VA Accountability Act of 2015, which would make it easier to demote or dismiss department employees for wrongdoing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/homeland.house.gov\/hearing\/rise-radicalization-us-government-failing-counter-international-and-domestic-terrorism\"><span style=\"color: #1155cc; background-color: transparent;\">House Homeland Security<\/span><\/a><span style=\"color: #000000; background-color: transparent;\"> \u2014 10 a.m. \u2014 Cannon 311<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><i><span style=\"color: #000000; background-color: transparent;\">Terrorism threats <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The committee will look at the rise in radicalization worldwide and U.S. security efforts to counter international and domestic terrorism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/veterans.house.gov\/hearing\/exploring-va-s-administration-of-individual-unemployability-benefits\"><span style=\"color: #1155cc; background-color: transparent;\">House Veterans&#8217; Affairs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"color: #000000; background-color: transparent;\"> \u2014 10:30 a.m. \u2014 Cannon 334 <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><i><span style=\"color: #000000; background-color: transparent;\">Unemployment benefits<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The committee will examine VA&#8217;s handling of individual unemployability benefits for veterans and problems with the program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/foreignaffairs.house.gov\/hearing\/subcommittee-hearing-us-economic-and-military-alliances-asia\"><span style=\"color: #1155cc; background-color: transparent;\">House Foreign Affairs <\/span><\/a><span style=\"color: #000000; background-color: transparent;\">\u2014 1 p.m. \u2014 Rayburn 2200<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><i><span style=\"color: #000000; background-color: transparent;\">Asia<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The subcommittee on Asia will examine U.S. economic and military alliances in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><b><span style=\"color: #000000; background-color: transparent;\">Thursday<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/foreignaffairs.house.gov\/hearing\/joint-subcommittee-hearing-reviewing-us-china-civil-nuclear-cooperation-agreement\"><span style=\"color: #1155cc; background-color: transparent;\">House Foreign Affairs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"color: #000000; background-color: transparent;\"> \u2014 9 a.m. \u2014 Rayburn 2172 <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><i><span style=\"color: #000000; background-color: transparent;\">China<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The subcommittee on Asia will review the U.S.-China nuclear cooperation agreement and future security complications with the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/docs.house.gov\/Committee\/Calendar\/ByEvent.aspx?EventID=103765\"><span style=\"color: #1155cc; background-color: transparent;\">House Foreign Affairs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"color: #000000; background-color: transparent;\"> \u2014 10 a.m. \u2014 Rayburn 2200 <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><i><span style=\"color: #000000; background-color: transparent;\">Child abductions<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The subcommittee on Africa will review Obama administration efforts to track and prevent abduction of American children, and to return victims home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/homeland.house.gov\/hearing\/subcommittee-hearing-examining-federal-air-marshal-service-and-its-readiness-meet-evolving\"><span style=\"color: #1155cc; background-color: transparent;\">House Homeland Security<\/span><\/a><span style=\"color: #000000; background-color: transparent;\"> \u2014 10 a.m. \u2014 Cannon 311<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><i><span style=\"color: #000000; background-color: transparent;\">Air marshals<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The subcommittee on transportation security will review the federal air marshal service and its role in threat prevention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.foreign.senate.gov\/\"><span style=\"color: #1155cc; background-color: transparent;\">Senate Foreign Relations<\/span><\/a><span style=\"color: #000000; background-color: transparent;\"> \u2014 2 p.m. \u2014 Dirksen 419<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><i><span style=\"color: #000000; background-color: transparent;\">Wildlife poaching<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The subcommittee on Africa will examine international problems with wildlife poaching and the U.S. response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.intelligence.senate.gov\/\"><span style=\"color: #1155cc; background-color: transparent;\">Senate Intelligence <\/span><\/a><span style=\"color: #000000; background-color: transparent;\">\u2014 2:30 p.m. \u2014 Hart 219<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><i><span style=\"color: #000000; background-color: transparent;\">Closed briefing<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000; background-color: transparent;\">The committee will hold a classified hearing to examine pending intelligence matters.<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000; background-color: transparent;\"><br\/><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Veterans and defense hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of July 13.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":90699,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-noindex":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-nofollow":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_acf":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":62,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_smg_distribution_targets":[]},"categories":[12,62],"tags":[],"coauthors":[3222,1824],"class_list":["post-51877","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-pentagon-congress"],"acf":{"subheadline":"","legacy_arc_id":"TJXLO3254BFTJNLYGQ2EL7NBPI","arc_canonical_url":"\/news\/pentagon-congress\/2015\/07\/13\/defense-hearings-military-nominations-and-va-reforms\/","remove_feature_photo":false,"is_sponsored":false,"subtype":"","redirect_url":"","disable_inline_ads":false,"native_logo_pretext":"Presented 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