Murkowski Morning Meeting For Thursday, August 6, 2015

What DC is Reading

• Politico: State Department Request For Emails Waylaid For 2 Months
• Wall Street Journal (Paywall): Inspectors So Far Denied Access to Iran’s Scientists
• The Hill: IRS Mismanaged Tea Party Groups, Senate Report Finds

U.S. Senate Events

Protecting the Vulnerable

Alaskan Impact: Earlier this year when an Anchorage man made headlines for being charged with a “brutal and exploitative sex trafficking and prostitution enterprise,” it was a stark reminder of this problem we have in our state. Senator Murkowski supported the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, legislation that will help protect victims and bring those who commit these heinous crimes to justice. Today the Senate Foreign Relations Committee heard from the State Department on the 2015 Trafficking in Persons Report, which identifies the conditions of human trafficking around the globe.

6:00a.m. AKDT

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Hearing

Topic: “Review of the 2015 Trafficking in Persons Report.”

Witness:

• Sarah Sewall, Undersecretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights

(Click image to watch video.)

Senator Bob Corker (R-TN): “The integrity of the TIP report matters for our country’s credibility when we speak up for the powerless and the oppressed.”

Watch the hearing by clicking here.

Disaster Recovery

Alaskan Impact: From wildfires to floods and earthquakes, Alaskans are no stranger to natural disasters and the devastation they leave behind. In the initial aftermath of a disaster, volunteers and support pour in to immediately help victims pick up the pieces. When that surge wears off, those affected—homeowners, small business owners and entire communities—are still left with a long road to recovery. Today the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee held a roundtable to problem solve ways to keep on going after a disaster.

7:00a.m. AKDT

Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee Hearing

Topic: “Roundtable – Rising After Disaster: Improvements and Continuing Challenges.”

Witnesses:

• James Rivera, Associate Administrator, Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Office of Disaster Assistance
• Gerilee Bennett, Deputy Director, Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Disaster Recovery Planning Division
• Russ Paulsen, Executive Director, American Red Cross’ Office of Community Preparedness and Resilience
• William Shear, Director of Financial Markets and Community Investment, Government Accountability Office
• Andrea Deadwyler, Director, SBA Office of the Inspector General’s Credit Programs Group – Audit Division
• C.E. “Tee” Rowe, President and CEO, America’s Small Business Development Centers

Watch the entire hearing by clicking here.

U.S. House Events

The House is in recess for the state work period.