The nation will know whether a government shutdown can be avoided by midnight on Wednesday, the end of the fiscal year. Until then, Congress has a full slate of cybersecurity and Syria oversight work.
Both the House and Senate Armed Services committees this week will discuss the Defense Department's cyber capabilities and strategy with Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work and Adm. Michael Rogers, the chief of U.S. Cyber Command. House panels also will host two additional hearings on the issue with outside experts.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee will hold a hearing Tuesday morning on the emerging Syrian refugee crisis and the U.S. response to the problem. Their House counterparts will discuss broader U.S. counterterrorism strategy in the region later in the day.
A handful of House and Senate hearings are scheduled for Thursday, but those could be scuttled if a budget agreement is not reached by Wednesday to keep the government open.
Tuesday
Senate Armed Services — 9:30 a.m. — Dirksen G50
Cybersecurity
The committee will hear from Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work and Cyber Command chief Adm. Michael Rogers on cybersecurity policy and threats.
House Armed Services — 10 a.m. — Rayburn 2118
Cybersecurity
The subcommittee on emerging threats will discuss Defense Department cyber strategy with outside experts.
Senate Foreign Relations — 10 a.m. — Dirksen 419
Refugee crisis
The committee will hear from refugee assistance groups about the plight of individuals fleeing fighting in the Middle East.
Senate Veterans' Affairs — 10 a.m. — Russell 418
Toxic exposure
The committee will discuss the impact of exposure to toxic chemicals on veterans, as well as the VA's response.
House Foreign Affairs — 2 p.m. — Rayburn 2172
Syria
The subcommittee on terrorism will hear from outside experts on U.S. counterterrorism efforts in Syria and the Middle East.
Senate Foreign Relations — 2:30 p.m. — Dirksen 419
China
The subcommittee on East Asia will discuss the changing landscape of Sino-U.S. U.S.-China relations.
House Armed Services — 3:30 p.m. — Rayburn 2118
Air Force bombers
The subcommittee on projection forces will hear from Air Force officials about their current bomber fleet and future goals for the aircraft.
Wednesday
House Armed Services — 10 a.m. — Rayburn 2118
Cybersecurity
The subcommittee on emerging threats will hear from Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work and Cyber Command chief Adm. Michael Rogers on cybersecurity policy and threats.
House Foreign Affairs — 10 a.m. — Rayburn 2172
Cyberwar
Outside experts will discuss cyber deterrence and threats.
House Foreign Affairs — 2 p.m. — Rayburn 2172
Central Africa
The subcommittee on Africa will discuss continuing U.S. support in the region with State Department officials.
House Foreign Affairs — 2 p.m. — Rayburn 2200
Russia
The subcommittee on Europe will discuss the threat of Islamist extremism in Russia.
Senate Foreign Relations — 2 p.m. — Capitol S116
Closed hearing
The committee will hold a closed hearing with International Monetary Fund officials to examine the economic crisis in Ukraine.
Senate Veterans' Affairs — 2:30 p.m. — Russell 418
Nomination
The committee will consider the nomination of former House Veterans Affairs Committee ranking member Mike Michaud to be assistant secretary of labor for veterans' employment and training.
Thursday
House Armed Services — 8 a.m. — Rayburn 2118
Public shipyards
The subcommittee on readiness will hear from Navy officials on ways to improve public shipyards to meet service operational requirements.
Senate Armed Services — 9:30 a.m. — Dirksen G50
Aircraft carrier program
The committee will hear from Navy officials on procurement and testing of the Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier program.
Senate Foreign Relations — 10 a.m. — Dirksen 419
Nominations
The committee will consider a series of pending nominations, including a new inspector general for the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Senate Foreign Relations — 10:15 a.m. — Dirksen 419
South Korea
The committee will hear from State Department officials on the civil nuclear agreement between the U.S. and South Korea.
Senate Foreign Relations — 2 p.m. — Dirksen 419
Nominations
The committee will consider a series of pending ambassador nominations.
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.
