Murkowski Morning Meeting For Thursday, April 3, 2014

What DC is Reading

• Washington Post: Hiring Veterans a National Challenge
• Politico: Employer Mandate Needs to Go
• Wall Street Journal: How Would Reagan See Today’s Russia?

U.S. Senate Events

“Harsh Discipline” at Justice Department?

Alaskan Impact: Ted Stevens, a man who dedicated his life to Alaska, was subject to a controversial case that cast a shadow over the Department of Justice. Five years after his verdict was vacated, Alaskans still have a hard time trusting the Department of Justice and are seeking assurances that justice is being properly served. While the Department says they are making changes, today Senator Murkowski questioned whether the Attorney General is meting out justice within the DoJ?

6:00 am AKDT

Senate Appropriations Committee

Commerce, Justice, Science Subcommittee

Topic: “Department of Justice 2015 Budget Request.”

Witnesses:

• Eric Holder, Attorney General
• General Michael Horowitz, Justice Department Inspector

(click to watch)
Senator Murkowski: What internal punishments are these agents and investigators facing?

Watch the hearing here: appropriations.senate.gov

U.S. House Events

Opportunities in Rural Economies

Alaskan Impact: Alaskans understand that life outside of our urban areas is a unique experience with unique challenges. But for the 150 communities in rural Alaska, their economy is only one of the vast differences from urban areas. The mixed economy of a subsistence and cash economy make rural Alaska different from railbelt Alaska, and more like other rural areas in the Lower 48. Today’s House of Representatives hearing looked to focus on the rural economy across the nation from an agricultural perspective.

5:30 am AKDT

House Agriculture Committee Hearing

Topic: “Review of the State of the Rural Economy.”

Witness:

• Tom Vilsack, Secretary U.S. Department of Agriculture

Watch the hearing here: agriculture.house.gov