Veterans Day means a short week of work for Congress. Only one chamber is in session, and most of the work will be done only two days.
But, while the House is on recess, Senate officials have planned a series of hearings for Tuesday and Thursday on the threats posed by Islamic State militants, both abroad and at home.
Senate Armed Services Committee officials will continue their focus on Defense Department reform efforts with a Tuesday hearing looking back at 30 years of changes since the Goldwater-Nichols Act.
And the Senate is expected to send the new defense authorization act for fiscal 2016 to the president by the end of the week, following a full chamber vote on Tuesday morning.
Senate Armed Services — 9:30 a.m. — Dirksen G50
Defense reform
The committee will hear from outside experts on possible updates to the Goldwater-Nichols Act and the need for broader defense reform.
Senate Foreign Relations — 9:45 a.m. — Capitol 116
Treaties and protocols
The committee will consider a series of pending treaties and nominations, and a resolution to condemn ongoing atrocities by Islamic State fighters in the Middle East.
Senate Foreign Relations — 10 a.m. — Visitors Center 217
Closed briefing
The committee will receive a classified update on military and State Department efforts to combat Islamic State fighters in the Middle East.
Senate Intelligence — 2:30 p.m. — Hart 219
Closed briefing
The committee will receive a classified update on ongoing intelligence matters.
Senate Homeland Security — 9:30 a.m. — Dirksen 342
ISIS
The committee will discuss potential threats by Islamic State fighters to the U.S. mainland, and how to counter safe havens for the group.
Senate Intelligence — 2:30 p.m. — Hart 219
Closed briefing
The committee will receive a classified update on ongoing intelligence matters.
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.
