Lawmakers have until Friday to pass a fix for the federal budget, otherwise a partial government shutdown will be triggered.
For now, it appears congressional leaders are looking to punt the issue for two more weeks, passing a 14-day continuing resolution to give them time to try and find a longer compromise deal. But even that plan is uncertain, with a growing number of Republicans and Democrats complaining that the short-term funding fixes are hurting overall federal operations.
The looming shutdown threat comes as Republican leaders work on the next step in their chambers’ respective tax reform plans, moves that have only furthered the divide between the parties on fiscal issues.
As the debate continues, Pentagon officials have warned that numerous programs have been stopped or stalled because of the budget uncertainty, and Veterans Affairs officials are warning that they need a billion-dollar fix to the department’s Choice program to ensure thousands of veterans’ medical care won’t be disrupted in January.
Senate Foreign Relations — 2:30 p.m. — Dirksen 419
International accords
The committee will hear from outside analysts and shared presidential and congressional authority over international accords.
Wednesday, Dec. 6
House Foreign Affairs — 10 a.m. — Rayburn 2172
Human rights
The subcommittee on Africa will hear from outside experts on human rights and terrorism.
House Foreign Affairs — 2 p.m. — Rayburn 2200
European Union
Outside experts will update the committee on negotiations for Britain to leave the European Union.
House Foreign Affairs — 2 p.m. — Rayburn 2172
Tibet
Actor Richard Gere and other outside analysts will testify before the committee on human rights concerns in Tibet.
Senate Foreign Relations — 2:30 p.m. — Dirksen 419
Terrorism
State Department officials will testify before the committee on terrorist threats in Africa.
Thursday, Dec. 7
House Foreign Affairs — 9:30 a.m. — Rayburn 2172
Terrorism
Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan will testify before the committee on terrorism in Africa.
House Veterans’ Affairs — 10 a.m. — Cannon 334
VA vendors
The committee will examine problems with the VA’s medical surgery prime vendor program.
Senate Armed Services — 10 a.m. — Dirksen G50
Defense acquisition
Army Secretary Mark Esper, Navy Secretary Richard Spencer, Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson and Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition Ellen Lord will testify before the committee on defense acquisition reform.
House Homeland Security — 10 a.m. — Visitors Center H210
WMDs
The committee will hear from outside experts on efforts to counter weapons of mass destruction.
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.
