WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary James Mattis will appear before both House and Senate panels this week to discuss President Donald Trump’s new strategy in Afghanistan and the effects on stability in the broader region.
Mattis, along with Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford Jr., will appear before the House and Senate Armed Services committees on Tuesday, giving his assessment of progress so far and the challenges ahead.
It’s the second appearance for Dunford on Capitol Hill in a week, after he re-appointment hearing before senators last week. During that hearing, Dunford said U.S. forces are in a “critical transition” in Afghanistan and said Trump’s new approach “removes restrictions on military authorities and force levels in order to reinforce our relationship with Afghan forces.”
Earlier this month, Mattis signed orders to send 3,500 additional U.S. forces to the region, pushing the total number of U.S. troops in the country well over 10,000.
Senate Homeland Security — 9:30 a.m. — Dirksen 342
Nominations
The committee will consider the nomination of John Marshall Mitnick to be general counsel for the Department of Homeland Security.
Senate Armed Services — 10 a.m. — Dirksen G-50
Afghanistan
Defense Secretary James Mattis and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford Jr. will testify before the committee on the security situation in Afghanistan.
House Foreign Affairs — 12 p.m. — Rayburn 2172
Iraq
The committee will hear from outside experts on genocide emergency relief in Iraq and Syria.
House Armed Services — 1 p.m. — Rayburn 2118
South Asia
Defense Secretary James Mattis and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford Jr. will testify before the committee on the security situation in Afghanistan and the broader region.
Senate Foreign Relations — 2 p.m. — Dirksen 419
Nominations
The committee will consider several pending nominations, including the new ambassadors to Cameroon, Angola and Zambia.
House Armed Services — 3:30 p.m. — Rayburn 2212
ISIL
Former Iraq Ambassador Ryan Crocker and other outside experts will testify before the committee on ways to secure the Middle East after the defeat of the Islamic State group.
Senate Homeland Security — 10:00 a.m. — Dirksen 342
Pending legislation
The committee will consider several pending bills, including one requiring new reports on the backlog of personnel security clearance investigations.
House Foreign Affairs — 10 a.m. — Rayburn 2172
Antiterrorism initiatives
Jason Blair, acting director of International Affairs and Trade at the U.S. Government Accountability Office, will testify on the State Department’s antiterrorism assistance program.
Senate Foreign Relations — 10:30 a.m. — Dirksen 419
ISIS
The committee will consider several pending nominations and hear from outside experts on the future of the Middle East after the fall of the Islamic State group.
House Veterans’ Affairs — 10:30 a.m. — Cannon 334
Pending legislation
The subcommittee on disability assistance will consider a series of pending bills related to VA benefits.
House Foreign Affairs — 2 p.m. — Rayburn 2172
Iran
Outside experts will testify before the committee on the influence of Iranian militias on stability in the Middle East.
Senate Veterans' Affairs — 2:30 p.m. — Russell 418
Nominations
The committee will consider a series of nominations, including Randy Reeves to be the under secretary for memorial affairs and Cheryl Mason to be chair of the Board of Veterans' Appeals.
Thursday, Oct. 5
House Foreign Affairs — 9 a.m. — Rayburn 2172
Burma
State Department officials will testify before the committee on violence against Rohingya groups in Burma.
Senate Foreign Relations — 2 p.m. — Dirksen 419
Nominations
The subcommittee will consider several pending 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.
