Last week, the foreign policy discussion on Capitol Hill was absolutely consumed by debate about Libya. It was Congress' first week back since time the international community launched its military campaign against Qaddafi and his regime, and they came back to Capitol Hill with guns blazing.
Much of the week, members seemed focused on fighting past battles, i.e. how the Obama administration went about inserting American military forces in the offensive in North Africa. Only towards the end of the week did lawmakers begin focusing their sights on the next steps in Libya. Two stories from CQ ($$) I wrote on this with colleagues last week :
Libya Rebel Groups Will be Vetted, Obama Administration Officials Say
McCain, Kerry Look for a Way to Authorize Use of U.S. Forces in Libya
This coming week, Libya will still be on the radar, but it's going to be overshadowed by budget battles and the looming threat of a government shutdown, which will impact the international affairs community just as it does everyone else that works with and relies on money and guidance from the U.S. government.
Among other events to watch for:
Israeli President Shimon Peres is in the United States, and will meet with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Monday and lunch with President Obama on Tuesday. (Speaking of Israel, if you missed Roger Goldstone's op-ed in WaPo reconsidering his famous/infamous UNHRC report, you best read it now!)
The UN is going to be on the hot seat in the House, with hearings scheduled in the House Appropriations and House Foreign Affairs Committees Wednesday & Thursday. Susan Rice will be the featured witness in both, trying to defend the UN's budget and practices from a GOP majority that has long been skeptical of this and other multilateral organizations.
- Approps subcommittee hearing, 4/6, 10 am
- Foreign Affairs full committee hearing, 4/7, 10 am
And, of course, the government shuts down 4/8 unless House GOP leaders and Senate Dems strike an 11th hour deal. What a shut-down would mean for government workers and the rest of us who indirectly make our living off of government action is still not entirely clear ...
Much of the week, members seemed focused on fighting past battles, i.e. how the Obama administration went about inserting American military forces in the offensive in North Africa. Only towards the end of the week did lawmakers begin focusing their sights on the next steps in Libya. Two stories from CQ ($$) I wrote on this with colleagues last week :
Libya Rebel Groups Will be Vetted, Obama Administration Officials Say
McCain, Kerry Look for a Way to Authorize Use of U.S. Forces in Libya
This coming week, Libya will still be on the radar, but it's going to be overshadowed by budget battles and the looming threat of a government shutdown, which will impact the international affairs community just as it does everyone else that works with and relies on money and guidance from the U.S. government.
Among other events to watch for:
Israeli President Shimon Peres is in the United States, and will meet with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Monday and lunch with President Obama on Tuesday. (Speaking of Israel, if you missed Roger Goldstone's op-ed in WaPo reconsidering his famous/infamous UNHRC report, you best read it now!)
The UN is going to be on the hot seat in the House, with hearings scheduled in the House Appropriations and House Foreign Affairs Committees Wednesday & Thursday. Susan Rice will be the featured witness in both, trying to defend the UN's budget and practices from a GOP majority that has long been skeptical of this and other multilateral organizations.
- Approps subcommittee hearing, 4/6, 10 am
- Foreign Affairs full committee hearing, 4/7, 10 am
And, of course, the government shuts down 4/8 unless House GOP leaders and Senate Dems strike an 11th hour deal. What a shut-down would mean for government workers and the rest of us who indirectly make our living off of government action is still not entirely clear ...
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