Murkowski Morning Meeting For Thursday, May 21, 2015

What DC is Reading

• Roll Call: Trade Promotion Authority Clears Senate Hurdle
• Wall Street Journal: America Plays Russian Rocket Roulette
• Washington Post: Revamping the FAA

U.S. Senate Events

“Real Fear” over WOTUS Rule, Funding for Alaska’s Infrastructure

Alaskan Impact: Alaska’s ports, harbors, and roads are critical lifelines in our state—they sustain our commerce, our culture, and simply connect one Alaskan to another. From Seward to Homer to Nome, Senator Murkowski successfully secured funds in this year’s appropriations bill to boost infrastructure projects throughout Alaska. Today the Senate Appropriations Committee is debating this bill – and Senator Murkowski also took the opportunity to share Alaskans’ deep concern over the proposed “Waters of the United States” rule.

2:30 pm

Senate Appropriations Committee Hearing

Topic: “Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act for FY2016” and the “Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY2016”

Click here to listen to Senator Murkowski laying out the extreme concerns and “very real fear” over the “Waters of the United States” proposed rule. (Appropriations ‘mark-ups’ are not televised.)

Seeking Clarity in Iraq and Syria

Alaskan Impact: Alaska-based units like the Task Force Saber have been engaged in the ongoing military operations in Iraq, but the recent ISIS takeover of Ramadi raises questions about the Administration’s current military strategy. Senator Murkowski has voiced concern over the Administration’s tactics in Syria against this dangerous threat, and today the Armed Service Committee questioned top military officials on what the objectives are in the region.

5:30a.m. AKST

Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing

Topic: “United States Policy in Iraq and Syria.”

Witnesses:

• Retired Army General John Keane, Former Vice Chief of Staff of the Army
• Frederick Kagan, Chair and Director, American Enterprise Institute’s Critical Threats Project
• Retired Army Colonel Derek Harvey, Director, University of South Florida’s Global Initiative for Civil Society and Conflict
• Brian Katulis, Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress

Watch the hearing entire hearing by clicking here.

U.S. House Events

Fighting Opioid Abuse

Alaskan Impact: Drug abuse takes a heavy toll on our state, and Alaska has an overdose rate of 11.6 deaths per 100,000 people due to over-prescription practices or illegal use, with those already prone to depression or mood disorders particularly vulnerable. Different states have different approaches to dealing with this health threat, so today a House Committee convened a hearing to find out what approaches are working and why.

10:00 am

House Energy and Commerce Committee Hearing

Topic: Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee hearing on “What are the State Governments Doing to Combat the Opioid Abuse Epidemic?”

Witnesses:

• Jerome Adams, Commissioner, Indiana State Department of Health
• Monica Bharel, Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Public Health
• Mark Stringer, Director, Missouri Department of Mental Health’s Division of Behavioral Health
• Larry Wolk, Executive Director and Chief Medical Officer, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Watch the entire hearing by clicking here.