THIS WEEK
The House Armed Services subcommittees held two critical hearings on Wednesday:
“An Independent Assessment of the Navy’s 30 year Shipbuilding Plan”
Navy specialists form the Congressional Budget Office and Congressional Research Service addressed the Navy’s plan to buy 266 ships over 30 years at an average annual cost of about $17 billion for new construction and $19 billion for shipbuilding.
Both witnesses advised that the projected costs will be more than the Navy now estimates. One noted the strategic consideration that, as the U.S. rebalances its relations in the Asia-Pacific region, additional money might prudently be allocated to the Navy and Air Force, as the region is primarily a maritime and aerospace theater. Read full witness testimony.
“Impacts of a Continuing Resolution and Sequestration on Acquisition and Modernization”
Top military leaders testified on the effects the fiscal year 2014 continuing resolution and sequestration cuts would have on acquisition and modernization for their respective branches. Confronted with draconian budget restrictions, Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force leaders detailed highly specific potential cuts to their 2014 acquisition plans. Read the list of axed acquisitions.
CONGRESS ADDRESSES INTERNATIONAL CONCERNS
Egypt
Senator Bob Corker (R-TN), Ranking Member on the Senate U.S. Foreign Relations Committee, sent a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry on Monday demanding the U.S. “speak out clearly and publicly against the cycle of violence in Egypt” – in particular, against Coptic Christians and other religious minorities.
“We are especially troubled by reports that Egyptian authorities have failed to respond to attacks on Christians and churches,” Corker wrote. “Reports from international human rights groups describe an 18-hour attack on Christians in the Nagah Hassan district of Dab’iya, during which security forces….were present at the scene but failed to take any action to stop the violence and prevent casualties.”
Pakistan
Members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee met with Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday, to discuss increased trade, education reform, extremism and the release Dr. Shakil Afridi.
Mr. Sharif also met with President Obama during his Washington visit, where they conferred over U.S. drone strikes in Pakistan, trade ties, and the transition in Afghanistan.
Syria
On Tuesday the Foreign Policy Initiative hosted its annual forum in D.C. David Ignatius of the Washington Post moderated a discussion on “The Crisis in Syria” with Rep. Mike J. Rogers (R-MI), Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. A video of the panel discussion is here.
