Murkowski Morning Meeting For Tuesday, December 2, 2014

What DC is Reading

• National Journal: Senator Chuck Schumer – Passing Obamacare Was a Mistake
• Washington Post: President Obama Mostly Thoughts, Little Actions
• New York Times: Alaskan Anecdotes Making a Difference Against Tobacco

U.S. Senate Events

Fortifying America’s Pacific Defenses

Alaskan Impact: Alaska has long been considered the most important strategic military location in the world. But with Secretary of Defense’s Chuck Hagel’s departure, there are concerns that the military’s Pacific focus could be reconsidered – despite heightened threats to the West. In today’s hearing, a number of nominees testified on where they think the Pentagon should continue to focus its efforts. The hearing also touched upon the need for America to sign onto the Law of the Sea Treaty – which Senator Murkowski supports – in order to maintain the “moral high ground” in the world community.

5:30a.m. AKST

Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing

Topic: “Nominations”

Nominees:

• Robert Scher to be Assistant Defense Secretary for Strategy, Plans and Capabilities
• Elissa Slotkin to be Assistant Defense Secretary for International Security Affairs
• David Berteau to be Assistant Defense Secretary for Logistics and Materiel Readiness
• Alissa Starzak to be General Counsel of the Army
• Adm. Harry Harris Jr., for reappointment to the grade of Admiral and to be Commander of the U.S. Pacific Command

(Click image to watch.)
Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) questions Commander of Pacific Command Adm. Harry Harris about USPACOM’s strategy for addressing Chinese threats.

(Click image to watch.)
Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI): “Would joining the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea benefit U.S. military strategy?”

Putting Honey Buckets in the Past

Alaskan Impact: As covered in the Alaska press yesterday, over 4,500 homes in rural Alaska still lack running water and a flushing toilet. Senator Murkowski has welcomed recent news that rural Alaskan communities will receive millions in federal grants to improve their water systems, but there’s still a long way to go until the last honey bucket. Today, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee examined the benefits of local water treatment facilities throughout the country.

5:30a.m. AKST

Senate Environment and Public Works Committee

Topic: Water and Wildlife Subcommittee hearing on “Innovation and the Utilities of the Future: How Local Water Treatment Facilities are Leading the Way to Better Manage Wastewater and Water Supplies.”

Witnesses:

• Mr. Jerry Johnson, General Manager, Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission
• Mr. Harlan L. Kelly Jr., General Manager, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
• Mr. Tom Sigmund, Executive Director, Green Bay Metropolitan Sewerage District
• Mr. Andrew H. Kricum, Executive Director and Chief Engineer, Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority
• Mr. Jeffrey Longsworth, Partner, Barnes & Thornburg LLP
• Mr. John C. Hall, Founder and President, Hall & Associates

Watch the entire hearing by clicking here.

U.S. House Events

Obama’s Executive Overreach

Alaskan Impact: President Obama’s announcement that he was going to use unilateral executive action to reform the immigration system is exactly the kind of federal overreach that Alaskans constantly reject. Senator Murkowski supports thoughtful, comprehensive, and bipartisan reform of our broken immigration system – like the 2013 bill she voted for – but does not believe this is the way to bring it about. Today the House Judiciary Committee examined the legality of a move that President Obama himself called unlawful on 22 separate occasions.

9:00a.m. AKST

House Judiciary Committee Hearing

Topic: “President Obama’s Executive Overreach on Immigration.”

Witnesses:

• Ronald Rotunda, Chapman University’s Dale E. Fowler School of Law
• Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel, American Center for Law and Justice
• Thomas Dupree Jr., Partner, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
• Marielena Hincapie, Executive Director, National Immigration Law Center

Watch the entire hearing by clicking here.