14-07-2025
House panel to mark up annual defense authorization bill this week
House Armed Services Committee members this week will hold their annual marathon markup for the defense authorization bill, a daylong tradition that lays out the panel's policy and budgetary priorities for the Defense Department for next fiscal year.
The move comes just days after the Senate Armed Services Committee approved its draft of the must-pass legislation behind closed doors. In contrast, House members will debate a series of controversial social issues and complex funding priorities in the open, although the Republican majority is unlikely to adopt any major changes led by Democratic representatives.
The Senate version outlines spending goals for a $879 billion base budget for the Pentagon, about $32 billion above the White House request for fiscal 2026. For now, the House sticks to the administration's $847 billion plan.
Both measures contain plans for a 3.8% pay raise for troops and increases in department end strength next year. The two chambers are expected to spend the rest of the summer working to negotiate policy differences between the measures.
House Veterans' Affairs — 3 p.m. — 360 Cannon Information Technology Veterans Affairs officials will testify on efforts to reform the department's Office of Information and Technology.
House Homeland Security — 10 a.m. — 310 Cannon Drone Warfare Outside experts will testify on the threat of drone attacks against U.S. domestic military and non-military sites. Senate Foreign Relations — 10 a.m. — 419 Dirksen Nominations The committee will consider several pending nominations, including Michael Waltz to be the U.S. Representative to the United Nations. House Transportation — 10 a.m. — 2167 Rayburn Coast Guard Authorization The committee will mark up its draft of the annual Coast Guard authorization bill. House Appropriations — 11 a.m. — 2358-A Rayburn State Department Budget The committee will mark up its draft of the annual State Department appropriations measure. House Armed Services — 12 p.m. — 2118 Rayburn NDAA The committee will mark up its draft of the annual defense authorization act. House Veterans' Affairs — 2:15 p.m. — 360 Cannon Community Care Department officials will testify on rules and reforms with VA's community care programs.
Senate Foreign Relations — 10 a.m. — 419 Dirksen State Department Reforms Department officials will testify on efforts to reform and update State Department policies. House Veterans' Affairs — 2:30 p.m. — 360 Cannon Veteran Employment Programs Department officials will testify on changes to VA employment assistance programs. Senate Veterans' Affairs — 4 p.m. — 418 Russell Nominations The committee will consider several pending nominations.
Senate Appropriations — 9:30 a.m. — 106 Dirksen VA budget The committee will mark up its draft of the Veterans Affairs and Military Construction appropriations bill.
