OVERNIGHT DEFENSE: Dems try to head off Iran sanctions

THE TOPLINE: A pair of Democratic senators on Monday introduced a resolution in support of allowing nuclear negotiations with Iran to conclude before moving on a new sanctions bill. 

The resolution from Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) comes as the Senate Banking Committee prepares to consider a sanctions bill by Sens. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) on Thursday. 

Their bill would impose sanctions immediately if the talks fail or if Iran violates the terms of an agreement. Feinstein and Murphy said sanctions should be considered only if the talks fail. 

{mosads}”This resolution represents a different approach than that of the sanctions bill pending in the Senate Banking Committee,” a statement from Feinstein’s office said.

Feinstein and Murphy’s resolution is co-sponsored by Sens. Tom Carper (D-Del.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Al Franken (D-Minn.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Angus King (I-Maine), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), John Tester (D-Mont.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).

“For those who agree that the sanctions bill in the Banking Committee is detrimental, this resolution provides an option in support of diplomacy,” Feinstein said in a statement.

VA ROLLS OUT NEW REFORMS: The Veterans Affairs Department on Monday announced an organizational overhaul in an attempt to improve services.

Agency officials said that under the new framework, the VA would be divided into five regional offices to improve department coordination, boost customer service and help veterans navigate the department more easily.

“We want every Veteran to have a seamless, integrated, and responsive VA customer service experience every time. This regional alignment is the first step in empowering Veterans to interact with one VA — MyVA,” Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald said in a statement.

The “MyVa” revamp was unveiled last fall in the wake of the scandal over VA patient wait times.

The realignment is expected to be complete by June 30.

An agency spokesman said others parts of the overhaul, such as a new chief customer service officer who will report directly to McDonald, are still being worked out.

“We’re still building the team,” he said.

YEMEN EMBASSY CLOSES: The U.S. has closed its embassy in Yemen’s capital because of security concerns, the State Department said Monday.

“We are continuously analyzing the security conditions and will resume consular operations as soon as our analysis indicates we are able to do so safely,” State said in a notice announcing the measures.

The closure comes after the resignation of Yemen’s president, cabinet and prime minister, under pressure from rebel forces.

The embassy in Sana’a will not be offering consular services — such as issuing visas — and will only have a “limited ability” to help in emergency situations involving U.S. citizens.

Yemen, a close U.S. counterterrorism ally, is the site of growing unrest. Since September, Shiite rebels who say they are underrepresented by the government have controlled parts of the capital. Last week, they surrounded the presidential residence.

On Monday, a suspected U.S. drone strike in Yemen killed three men said to be affiliated with al Qaeda.

WEEK AHEAD:

On Tuesday the Senate Armed Services Committee kicks off a busy week with a hearing on “Global Challenges and U.S. National Security Strategy.” At 9:30 a.m. the panel will hear from Marine Corps Gen. James Mattis (Ret.), Army Gen. John Keane (Ret.) and Adm. William Fallon (Ret.).

Also on Tuesday, the Senate Banking Committee will convene at 10:00 a.m. to receive testimony from administration officials and analysts about economic sanctions against Iran the panel is considering.

At 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, the House Select Committee on Benghazi will meet for a “Status Review of Outstanding Requests.”

Wednesday morning at 9:30 a.m., the Senate Armed Services panel will hear from the military service chiefs about the impact sequestration could have on national security and their branches going forward.

The House Armed Services Committee will meet at the same time to receive testimony from Frank Kendall, undersecretary of Defense for acquisition, and Lt. Gen. Mark Ramsay, director of force structure for the Joint Staff, about the Pentagon’s ability to keep up with technology.

At 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, the Banking panel will hold a mark-up of its proposed Iran sanctions bill.

Senate Armed Services will come together at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday to discus global challenges with former Secretaries of State Henry Kissinger, George Shultz and Madeleine Albright.

At 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will receive a closed-door briefing from a host of administration officials on operations against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

–Closing Gitmo will be ‘very difficult,’ Hagel says

-NJ lawmakers warn against new base closings

-Report: Sen. Baldwin fires staffer over ‘Candy Land’

-Three charged in alleged Russian spy ring

-Senate Finance to consider veterans bill

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