Controversial military personnel nominee faces Senate panel this week
Senate lawmakers on Tuesday will consider the controversial nomination of retired Army Brig. Gen. Anthony Tata to oversee military personnel policies, a key leadership post which has been open through the first 100 days of President Donald Trump’s second term in office.
Tata was originally nominated for the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness role in 2020 but withdrew his name from consideration after numerous inflammatory comments became public.
Among them were Tata’s labeling of former President Barack Obama as a “terrorist leader” and a secret Muslim believer. He also posted anti-Islamic comments on social media, drawing condemnation from military leaders.
Trump later appointed Tata as Pentagon policy chief, getting around the Senate confirmation process. Upon his return to the Oval Office, Trump opted to nominate Tata again for the Pentagon personnel leadership role, a decision that will bring the fight again before the politically divided Senate Armed Services Committee.
Monday, May 5
House Veterans’ Affairs — 3 p.m. — 360 Cannon
External VA Care
Department officials will testify on medical care options outside the VA system and technology to help with scheduling those appointments.
Tuesday, May 6
Senate Armed Services — 9:30 a.m. — G-50 Dirksen
Nominations
The committee will consider the nominations of Anthony Tata to be Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness and Katherine Sutton to be Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber Policy.
House Homeland Security — 10 a.m. — 310 Cannon
China
Outside experts will testify on Chinese surveillance efforts in Cuba.
House Veterans’ Affairs — 10:15 a.m. — 360 Cannon
Pending Legislation
The committee will consider several pending bills, including the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act.
Senate Veterans’ Affairs — 11:30 a.m. — 106 Dirksen
Veterans Affairs Reforms
VA Secretary Doug Collins will testify on proposed VA workforce reforms and cuts.
House Appropriations — 2 p.m. — Capitol H-140
Air Force/Space Force
Acting Air Force Secretary Gary Ashworth, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin and Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman will testify on the fiscal 2026 budget request.
House Foreign Affairs — 2 p.m. — 2172 Rayburn
Counterterrorism
State Department officials will testify on counterterrorism efforts and future budget requests.
House Armed Services — 3 p.m. — 2118 Rayburn
Military Readiness
Service officials will discuss force readiness issues and the fiscal 2026 budget request.
House Armed Services — 3:30 p.m. — 2212 Rayburn
Science and Technology Innovation
Defense officials will testify on innovation efforts within the services.
Wednesday, May 7
House Appropriations — 10 a.m. — Capitol H-140
Army Oversight
Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George will testify on the fiscal 2026 budget request.
House Armed Services — 3 p.m. — 2118 Rayburn
Nuclear Forces
Defense officials will discuss the state of nuclear forces and the fiscal 2026 budget request.
House Armed Services — 3:30 p.m. — 2212 Rayburn Bldg.
Air Force Projection Forces
Service officials will testify on projection forces and the fiscal 2026 budget request.
Thursday, May 8
House Armed Services — 9 a.m. — 2212 Rayburn
Defense Information Technology
Defense officials will testify on IT systems and areas in need of improvement.
Senate Foreign Relations — 10:30 a.m. — 419 Dirksen
Nominations
The committee will consider the nomination of Caleb Orr to be Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
