Murkowski Morning Meeting For Thursday, July 30, 2015

What DC is Reading

• Washington Post: To Get Support For Education Bill, Senators Conjure Lost Art: Compromise
• Politico: Judge Explodes Over Hillary Email Delays
• IJ Review: Federal Judge Threatens Action Against IRS and Lois Lerner for Failing to Turn Over Emails

U.S. Senate Events

Updating Energy Policies

Alaskan Impact: Today marks Day 3 of the Senate Energy Committee’s consideration of Chairman Murkowski’s comprehensive and bipartisan Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015. Entering the day, over 45 amendments have been reviewed, out of the 94 that have been introduced. Murkowski was sure to include multiple provisions in this legislation to help Alaskans produce energy, save energy, pay less for energy, and protect the reliability of our electricity supply. The Committee also reviewed the OPENS Act, Senator Murkowski’s bill to ensure that Alaska receives its fair share of revenue from oil and natural gas production off the outer continental shelf.

6:00a.m. AKDT

Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Hearing

Topic: Full Committee Markup of the “Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015.”

Watch the entire hearing by clicking here.

Protecting VA Whistleblowers

Alaskan Impact: Alaskan were recently informed that due to staffing issues at the Wasilla CBOC and organizational problems in the Alaska VA, multiple veterans were denied healthcare that could have potentially saved their lives. Senator Murkowski initially called for the investigation into the Alaska VA healthcare system after she heard reports of retaliation against a nurse who questioned dubious scheduling practices at the clinic where she worked. Today the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee for Veterans Affairs heard from VA officials and healthcare providers on protecting VA whistleblowers against retaliation, to ensure that our nation’s veterans receive the healthcare they have earned and deserve.

6:30a.m. AKDT

Senate Appropriations Committee Hearing

Topic: “Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Hearing on Whistleblower Claims at Veterans Affairs Department.”

Witnesses:

• Katherine Mitchell, Medical Director, Iraq and Afghanistan Post-Deployment Center, Veterans Affairs Health Care System
• Lisa Nee, Former Cardiologist, Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital
• Danielle Brian, Executive Director, Project on Government Oversight
• Linda Halliday, Deputy VA Inspector General
• Carolyn Lerner, Special Counsel, U.S. Office of Special Counsel

Watch the entire hearing by clicking here.