Senate Committee to Mark Up Defense Authorization Bill

This week, the Senate Armed Services Committee will conduct its important review of the proposed defense budget and policy priorities. While previous discussions by the House committee occurred publicly, the Senate panel has traditionally held these deliberations privately.

Behind closed doors, committee members will carefully consider provisions to refine and finalize the coming year’s defense legislation. In undertaking this critical responsibility, senators will likely balance various perspectives on security needs and resource allocation.

This year, however, two subcommittees will break tradition by holding legislative discussions in open hearings on Wednesday.

The personnel subcommittee has held public sessions in recent years, and this time, the seapower subcommittee will also hold a public hearing.

The committee is expected to release its final draft by Friday.

This draft will highlight differences from the House version of the bill and set the stage for negotiations between the chambers throughout the summer.

A final compromise is anticipated in the fall.

The defense authorization bill, which has passed through Congress for over 60 years, is deemed must-pass legislation due to its numerous pay and policy provisions.

Upcoming Congressional Hearings and Markups

Tuesday, June 11

• Senate Homeland Security — 3:30 p.m. — 342 Dirksen
  Coast Guard Sexual Assault
  Commandant Adm. Linda Fagan will testify on the prevention efforts against sexual assault and harassment in the Coast Guard.
• House Veterans’ Affairs — 4:30 p.m. — 360 Cannon
  VA Beneficiary Travel
  Department officials will discuss issues with the beneficiary travel system.

Wednesday, June 12

• House Appropriations — 9 a.m. — 2359 Rayburn
  Foreign Operations
  The full committee will mark up the annual State Department appropriations plan.
• House Foreign Affairs — 10 a.m. — 2172 Rayburn
  Western Hemisphere Competition
  State Department officials will testify on issues of great power competition in the Western Hemisphere.
• House Transportation — 10 a.m. — 2167 Rayburn
  Coast Guard Recapitalization
  Service officials will discuss the recapitalization plans for the Coast Guard.
• Senate Armed Services — 10:15 a.m. — 216 Hart
  NDAA Personnel Issues
  The personnel subcommittee will mark up its section of the annual defense authorization bill in a public session.
• House Veterans’ Affairs — 10:15 a.m. — 360 Cannon
  Veterans Disability Ratings
  Department officials will address problems with the disability ratings system.
• House Oversight — 10:30 a.m. — 2154 Rayburn
  V-22 Osprey Program
  Military officials will testify on the V-22 Osprey program.
• Senate Armed Services — 10:45 a.m. — 216 Hart
  NDAA Seapower Issues
  The seapower subcommittee will mark up its section of the annual defense authorization bill in a public session.
• House Veterans’ Affairs — 2 p.m. — 360 Cannon
  Pending Legislation
  The economic opportunity subcommittee will consider several pending bills.

Thursday, June 13

• House Appropriations Committee — 9 a.m. — 2359 Rayburn
  Defense Appropriations
  The full committee will mark up the annual Defense Department appropriations plan.
• House Veterans’ Affairs — 9:30 a.m. — 360 Cannon
  Veteran Spinal Cord Injuries
  Department officials and external advocates will discuss challenges faced by veterans with spinal cord injuries.
• Senate Foreign Relations — 10 a.m. — 419 Dirksen
  Nominations
  The committee will review several pending nominations.