Murkowski Morning Meeting For Thursday, January 16, 2014

What DC is Reading

• Washington Post – Lawmakers Block White House Drone Shift to Pentagon
• Wall Street Journal – Obama’s NSA Changes Won’t Improve Privacy Rights
• New York Times – House Overwhelming Passes 2014 Spending Bill

U.S. Senate Events

Putting an End to Misguided Decisions at Interior

Alaskan Impact Alaskan Tommy Beaudreau’s nomination as Interior Department Assistant Secretary for Policy and Management was approved out of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and now heads to the Senate floor. During the hearing discussing his nomination, Senator Murkowski took the occasion to share her hope that Alaskan staff there will curb the “poor judgments” being made like Secretary Sally Jewell’s rejection of the King Cove road.

5:30 am AKDST

Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Mark Up

Topic: ‘Business meeting on DOE and DOI nominations”

(Click image to watch excerpt)

Murkowski: I expect these nominees will have better judgment and produce smarter results.

Watch the hearing here: energy.senate.gov

Arctic Matters

Alaskan Impact Alaska is the reason America is an Arctic nation, and we need strong relationships in the region. Currently, America is lagging behind their Arctic counterparts in investments and commitments as we prepare to take over as chair of the Arctic Counsel in 2015. Senator Murkowski recently urged Secretary of State Kerry to name an Arctic Ambassador to participate in the regional conversation and fostering good relationships among government. Today, Ambassador nominees for Iceland and Norway will be vetted.

10:30 am AKDST

Senate Foreign Relations Committee – Hearing

Topic: Nomination hearings

• Mr. Robert C. Barber, to be the Ambassador to the Republic of Iceland
• Mr. George James Tsunis, to be the Ambassador to the Kingdom of Norway
• Ms. Colleen Bradley Bell to the Ambassador to Hungary

Watch the hearing here: foreign.senate.gov

U.S. House Events

Health Care Site Still Riddled with Security Issues

Alaskan Impact The low numbers of Alaskans enrolling in the Healthcare exchanges are of concern, but so are reports of security risks on the healthcare exchange website. Senator Murkowski co-sponsored the Trust But Verify Act to resolve this concern before the website was launched, but that was not allowed a vote. Though measures are being taken, it is important to hear from HHS directly.

5:30 am AKDST
House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Hearing

Topic: “HHS’ own Security Concerns about HealthCare.gov”

• Mr. Kevin Charest, Chief Information Security Officer, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
• Ms. Teresa Fryer, Chief Information Security Officer, Director, Enterprise Information Security Group, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Watch the hearing here: oversight.house.gov