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National Security Legislative Calendar – Nov. 17
(only updated information is included; for complete National Security Legislative Calendar, click on: http://livableworld.org/calendar/signup/
November 17, 2014 update
Congress is back for its post-election lame duck session, but it is not clear how long it will stay around. Possible items on the national security agenda: completion of the Fiscal Year 2015 Defense Authorization bill, passage of either a Fiscal Year 2015 Omnibus Appropriations bill or a Continuing Resolution (terms explained below) to fund the government, including the military and energy departments, an authorization of the use of force in Syria and Iraq and some discussion or consideration of a potential deal with Iran to restrict its nuclear program.
KEY FISCAL YEAR 2015 NATIONAL SECURITY BILLS
FISCAL YEAR 2015 DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILL
It looks like a repeat of last year. While the full Senate has not taken up the bill, the two Armed Services Committees are negotiating differences between the present House and Senate versions to produce what will be like a conference report on the bill. The new measure will then be sent to the House for approval and to the Senate next, with no amendments permitted.
U.S. TROOPS IN AND AROUND IRAQ AND SYRIA
After a number of Members of Congress demanded a congressional vote on the increased United States military involvement in Syria and Iraq, the President announced he will seek congressional approval, usually called an Authorization to Use Military Force (AUMF). However, it is not clear if that vote will occur during the lame duck session or early next year.
IRAN
With a deadline of November 24 approaching for a potential agreement with Iran on its nuclear programs, opponents of the deal may offer bills, resolutions or amendments related to the prospective agreement — or try to block any agreement finally concluded.
FISCAL YEAR 2015 DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS BILL
Members of Congress serving on the Senate and House Appropriations committees would prefer to include the Defense Appropriations Bill in what is called an Omnibus Appropriations bill — a collection of individual appropriations grouped in one large measure. That way, the appropriators would be able to approve funds for individual programs. Other Members prefer a Continuing Resolution that would permit funding in Fiscal Year 2015 for most programs to continue at the Fiscal Year 2014 level. With this course of action, Republicans in control of Congress next year could try to shape a new bill. With much hue and cry over the President’s intention to implement immigration law changes, and a strong Republican desire to offer amendments to block the President, it is not clear how this issue will be resolved.
FISCAL YEAR 2015 ENERGY AND WATER APPROPRIATIONS BILL
Members of Congress serving on the Senate and House Appropriations committees would prefer to include the Energy and Water Appropriations Bill in what is called an Omnibus Appropriations bill — a collection of individual appropriations grouped in one large measure. That way, the appropriators would be able to approve funds for individual programs. Other Members prefer a Continuing Resolution that would permit funding in Fiscal Year 2015 for most programs to continue at the Fiscal Year 2014 level. With this course of action, Republicans in control of Congress next year could try to shape a new bill. With much hue and cry over the President’s intention to implement immigration law changes, and a strong Republican desire to offer amendments to block the President, it is not clear how this issue will be resolved.
FISCAL YEAR 2015 STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS APPROPRIATIONS BILL
Members of Congress serving on the Senate and House Appropriations committees would prefer to include the State Appropriations Bill in what is called an Omnibus Appropriations bill — a collection of individual appropriations grouped in one large measure. That way, the appropriators would be able to approve funds for individual programs. Other Members prefer a Continuing Resolution that would permit funding in Fiscal Year 2015 for most programs to continue at the Fiscal Year 2014 level. With this course of action, Republicans in control of Congress next year could try to shape a new bill. With much hue and cry over the President’s intention to implement immigration law changes, and a strong Republican desire to offer amendments to block the President, it is not clear how this issue will be resolved.
Chain Reaction
Council for a Livable World is a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit,
non-partisan advocacy organization dedicated to reducing the danger of
nuclear weapons and increasing national security.
Follow Chain Reaction on Twitter
Source: http://blog.livableworld.org/story/2014/11/17/10292/076
