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Lawmakers will hold a final week of budget hearings before the Memorial Day break and what is expected to be a busy June full of appropriations and authorization work.
Both House and Senate Armed Services Committee leaders said they expect to unveil their annual defense authorization bill drafts in June, with the goal of spending most of the rest of the summer negotiating a compromise between the two.
But Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jack Reed, D-R.I., said members have one other major piece of business before that work can be the panel’s primary focus: confirming a new head of U.S. European Command.
On Thursday, the committee will hear from President Joseph Biden’s nominee for the post. Army Gen. Christopher Cavoli currently serves as commanding general of U.S. Army Europe and Africa.
The hearing is likely to be one of the last items of business for senators until June 6, when they return from holiday break.
House Appropriations — 12 p.m. — online hearing
National Guard
Officials from the National Guard will testify on the fiscal 2023 budget request.
Senate Foreign Relations — 2 p.m. — 419 Dirksen
Nominations
The committee will consider several nominations for foreign ambassadors.
Senate Veterans’ Affairs — 3 p.m. — 418 Russell
Pending legislation
The committee will consider several pending bills, including a measure to grant additional benefits to military toxic exposure victims.
Wednesday, May 25
Senate Homeland Security — 11 a.m. — 342 Dirksen Bldg.
Pending legislation
The committee will consider several pending bills.
House Appropriations — 12 p.m. — online hearing
Defense medical readiness
Military health officials will testify on current challenges and the fiscal 2023 budget request
Senate Foreign Relations — 2:15 p.m. — 106 Dirksen
Iran
State Department officials will testify on U.S. strategy towards Iran and Iranian nuclear ambitions.
Senate Appropriations — 2:30 p.m. — 124 Dirksen
USAID budget
State Department officials will testify on the fiscal 2023 budget request.
Thursday, May 26
Senate Armed Services — 9:30 a.m. — G-50 Dirksen
Nominations
The committee will consider the nomination of Gen. Christopher Cavoli to serve as head of U.S. European Command.
Senate Foreign Relations — 11a.m. — 419 Dirksen
Pending legislation
The committee will consider several pending bills.
Senate Appropriations — 10 a.m. — 192 Dirksen
Navy/Marine Corps budget
Service officials will testify on the fiscal 2023 budget request.
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.