Legislative Activity
Confirmation Hearing
This Wednesday morning, the Senate Armed Services Committee will convene a hearing to examine Ashton Carter’s nomination to be the next Secretary of Defense. While he is expected to face questions critical of the Administration’s policies, it is anticipated that Mr. Carter will eventually be confirmed by the full Senate.
FY 2016 Budget
President Barack Obama will release his Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 Budget on Monday. Last week, the White House said the Administration will ask Congress to appropriate $74 billion more than the Budget Control Act (P.L. 112-25) allows in Fiscal Year (FY) 2016. This includes $561 billion in defense spending, an increase of $38 billion over the spending caps; and $530 billion on the non-defense discretionary side, an increase of $37 billion over the spending caps.
This Week’s Hearings:
- Tuesday, February 3: The Senate Armed Services Committee is expected to hold a hearing titled, “Findings of the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission.”
- Tuesday, February 3: The House Armed Services Committee is expected to hold a hearing titled, “Global Threat Assessment.”
- Tuesday, February 3: The House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel is expected to hold a hearing titled, “Wounded Warrior Program Updates.”
- Wednesday, February 4: The House Armed Services Committee is expected to hold a hearing titled, “Final Recommendations from the of the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission.”