Murkowski Morning Meeting For Tuesday, February 11, 2014

What DC is Reading

• USA Today “Another Part of the Health Care Bill Delayed”
• Reuters “America’s Afghanistan Future Will Wait for Next Afghan President”

U.S. Senate Events

Alaska’s Important Role in America’s Defense

Alaskan Impact: With news reports suggesting Alaska is being considered for a billion dollar homeland defense missile radar, the Last Frontier is more than ever the first line of defense in the Pentagon’s new Asia/Pacific focus. As rogue nations like Iran and North Korea continue to make headlines for their military ambitions, Alaskans are watching foreign threats closely. Today’s Armed Service hearing updates the U.S. Senate on evolving threats.

5:30 am AKDT

Senate Armed Services Committee – Hearing

Topic: “Current and future worldwide threats to the national security of the United States.”

Witnesses:

• James Clapper Jr., Director of National Intelligence James Clapper Jr.
• Army Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency

(click to watch excerpt)
Senator Lindsay Graham (R-SC): A nuclear Iran would set off an arms race in the Middle East.

Watch the hearing here: armed-services.senate.gov

U.S. House Events

Congress Hangs Up on In-Flight Phone Calls

Alaskan Impact: Alaskans are more reliant on the skies for travel than most Americans, and we expect calm cabin wherever we’re headed. Though the Federal Communications Commission suggested it may be open to allowing cell phone calls during flights, Alaskans aren’t for it and airlines are against it for numerous reasons. Today, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee today voted to continue the ban on in-flight cell phone access.

6:00 am AKDT

House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee – Markup

Topic: “H.R.3676, the “Prohibiting In-Flight Voice Communications on Mobile Wireless Devices Act of 2013”