Murkowski Morning Meeting for Thursday, May 23, 2013

U.S. Senate Events

Shale Gas: America’s “Game Changer”

Alaskan Impact: America’s natural gas boom has boosted the profile of Alaska’s natural resource. Senator Lisa Murkowski, the Energy and Natural Resources Committee’s ranking member, supports a strong state-based approach to regulating natural gas development to ensure that natural gas continues to be an abundant, affordable and clean energy source. The committee today hosted a roundtable on the best practices for the development of the nation’s vast shale gas resources.

6:00am AKDT
Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Forum
Topic: “Shale Development: Best Practices and Environmental Concerns.”
Testimony From:

• Clay Bretches, Vice President of Marketing and Minerals for Anadarko
• Mark Brownstein, US Climate and Energy Program, Environmental Defense Fund
• Charles Davidson, Chairman/CEO of Noble Energy, Inc.
• Deb Nardone, Director, Beyond Natural Gas Campaign, Sierra Club
• Jack Williams, President of XTO Energy Inc.

Murkowski opening statement (CLICK image to watch)

VIEW the recorded forum: energy.senate.gov

Healthy Natives, Healthy Veterans – Healthy Alaska

Alaskan Impact: Alaska has the highest number of veterans per capita of any state who – along with thousands of Alaska Natives – rely on the federal health care system every day. Senator Murkowski knows the sheer geography of Alaska can lead to barriers in health care access and delivery. To help fix the problem, Senator Murkowski has pushed the head of the Veterans Affairs for better care closer to home for Alaska’s veterans, pressed the Indian Health Service to “make good” on its promise of care for Alaska Natives and demanded payment owed to health organizations across the state be made immediately. Today, the Senate discussed what else may be done – including the opportunities and promises presented by Alaska Natives healthcare professionals as part of the solution.

6:00am AKDT
Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Hearing
Topic: “Improving Federal Health Care in Rural America: Developing the Workforce and Building Partnerships,” focusing on veterans and Native Americans in rural communities.
Testimony From:

• VA Undersecretary for Health Robert Petzel
• Yvette Roubideaux, Director of the Health and Human Services Department’s (HHS) Indian Health Service
• Tom Morris, Associate Administrator for Rural Health Policy in the HHS Health Resources and Services Administration

(Click to watch)

Roubideaux: We need to retain young talent in federal rural programs.

VIEW the recorded hearing online: www.hsgac.senate.gov

U.S. House Events

Securing Social Security for the Future

Alaskan Impact: Though sequestration cuts do not impact programs like Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare, Senator Murkowski believes that these mandatory spending programs need to be re-examined to make sure they are sustainable for future generations – while making sure not to trim away benefits for those presently eligible or nearing retirement age. Today, the House examined a number of options moving into the future.

5:30am AKDT
House Ways and Means Committee Hearing
Topic: Social Security Subcommittee hearing on “The President’s and Other Bipartisan Entitlement Reform Proposals,” focusing on proposed adjustments to Social Security benefits.
Testimony from:

• Ed Lorenzen, Executive Director of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget’s The Moment of Truth Project
• G. William Hoagland, Senior Vice President of the Bipartisan Policy Center
• Jason Fichtner, Senior Research Fellow at the Mercatus Center
• Leticia Miranda, Senior Policy Adviser for Economic Security Policy at the National Council of La Raza
• Donald Fuerst, Senior Pension Fellow at the American Academy of Actuaries
• C. Eugene Steuerle, Institute Fellow at the Urban Institute

Watch the entire hearing online: waysandmeans.house.gov