Big week for defense in the House and Senate.
In the House…
Last week the House Armed and Services Committee approved a defense budget topline of $610 billion, adhering the budget deal agreed upon last fall, and $59 for Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO). See the full bill and text here.
This week…
- Tuesday: Full bill text for House version of defense appropriations released; tables will not be released prior to the Full committee mark by HAC.
- Wednesday: House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense markup of FY17 defense appropriations
What to look for…
Now, it is up to Defense Subcommittee Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ) to back HASC Chairman Mac Thornberry’s plan to extend OCO funds through April next year as a mechanism to raise the budget topline. Frelinghuysen has recently expressed concern about the need to maintain Army aviation readiness in order to deter Russia, so his support can be expected.
What comes next…
- May 16: House floor action on NDAA begins
*** Without a budget, the House must wait until after May 15th to proceed with floor action on appropriations bills. It is unlikely a budget agreement will be reached before then.
In the Senate…
The Senate will mark up its own version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) this week in a series of subcommittee hearings. The legislation will largely reflect Chairman John McCain’s defense agenda, as this is possibly his last appropriations season as head of the SASC.
What’s coming up this week…
- Monday: Airland Subcommittee closed hearing at 2:30 p.m.
- Tuesday: Seapower Subcommittee closed hearing at 9:30 a.m.
Personnel Subcommittee open hearing at 11:00 a.m.
Readiness and Management Subcommittee open hearing at 2:00 p.m.
Emerging Threats Subcommittee open hearing at 3:30 p.m.
Strategic Forces Subcommittee closed hearing at 5:30 p.m.
- Wednesday: Senate Armed Services full committee closed session beginning 9:30 a.m., continuing through Friday, May 13.
In the coming weeks…
- May 16: Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense appropriations markup
- May 18: Senate Appropriations Committee full committee mark of FY17 defense appropriations
Off the Hill…
The Sea-Air-Space Exposition is taking place at the Gaylord National Convention Center in Washington D.C. from May 16 – 18. The SAS is the largest maritime exposition in the country…find the list of this year’s exhibitors here.
