Murkowski Morning Meeting For Thursday, November 21, 2013

What DC is Reading:

• McClatchy DC “Doctors Visits Scheduling Grows More Difficult with Health Care Law”
• Wall Street Journal “Appointing Judges to an Underworked Court?” (Paywall)
• Washington Post “DNA Tests Show Alaska, Bering Strait Key to Native Ancestry”
• Politico “September White House E-mails Show Widespread Health Care Fears”

U.S. Senate Events

“Infinitesimally Small” Fukushima Fish Impacts

Alaskan Impact: Alaskans continue to watch debris from the 2011 Fukushima, Japan earthquake and tsunami wash up on our shores, and remain mindful of its possible effects on our fisheries. Senator Murkowski held the first ‘Tsunami Impact Roundtable’ in Alaska within a year of the tragedy to get preliminary answers. Top scientists following the data, though, are finding that radiation levels from the damaged Daicchi nuclear power plant in Alaska’s waters are “infinitesimally small.” Today a Senate Committee was scheduled to determine the state of play on nuclear energy and the world economy.

6:15am AKDT

Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Hearing

Topic: “Oversight Hearing: NRC’s Implementation of the Fukushima Near-Term Task Force Recommendations and other Actions to Enhance and Maintain Nuclear Safety.”

Testimony From:

• The Honorable Allison M. Macfarlane, Chairman, Nuclear Regulatory Commission
• The Honorable Kristine L. Svinicki, Commissioner, Nuclear Regulatory Commission
• The Honorable George Apostolakis, Commissioner, Nuclear Regulatory Commission

(Click to watch brief excerpt)
Senator Vitter (R-LA): Safety is the first priority here, in pursuing energy options.

Watch the entire hearing online: epw.senate.gov

U.S. House Events

First Responders in Alaska

Alaskan Impact: Alaska’s law enforcement authorities have received federal resources to start a broadband public safety communications network affiliated with FirstNet, related to the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012. With a state as remote as Alaska, it is important to see how this program can develop in our rural areas by seeing what other states are considering. Today’s hearing focused on the current planning and implementation.

6:30am AKDT

House Committee on Energy and Commerce

Topic: “FirstNet and the Advancement of Public Safety Wireless Communications”

Testimony From:

• Sam Ginn, Chairman, First Responder Network Authority
• David Turetsky, Federal Communications Commission
• Stu Davis, Ohio Department of Administrative Services
• Darryl Ackley, Cabinet Secretary, New Mexico Department of Information Technology

Watch the entire hearing online: energycommerce.house.gov