Murkowski Morning Meeting For Tuesday, March 10, 2015

What DC is Reading

• Washington Post: The Misleading Democratic Spin on Hillary Clinton’s E-Mails
• Daily Caller: Senators Push to Stop Ammo Ban by ATF
• Politico: Feds Interviewed Harry Reid For Robert Menendez Probe

U.S. Senate Events

Aggression from Russia

Alaskan Impact: With levels of anti-American sentiment in Russia at an all-time high and the Pentagon acknowledging that Russia’s military is becoming increasingly active in the Arctic, Alaskans are warily watching our neighbor to the West. Senator Murkowski recently joined the rest of the Alaska Delegation in encouraging the U.S. Army to consider adding troops to Alaska’s military bases given the current volatility. Today the Senate Foreign Relations Committee discussed what Russia actions in Ukraine means for the rest of the world.

6:00am AKDT

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Hearing

Topic: “U.S. Policy in Ukraine: Countering Russia and Driving Reform.”

Witnesses:

• Victoria Nuland, Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs
• Brian McKeon, Principal Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Policy
• Ramin Toloui, Assistant Treasury Secretary for International Finance

(Click image to watch video.)

Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA): Are we prepared to confront future military threats from Russia?

Watch the entire hearing by clicking here.

Veterans Health Update

Alaskan Impact: It’s been 11 months since the extreme mismanagement within the VA’s health care system was made public, but major problems still persist – and Alaska’s vets are continuing to speak up. Today, Senator Murkowski plans to question VA officials about their budget requests for FY2016, and what they are going to do to overhaul the VA’s mismanaged health care system.

10:30a.m. AKDT

Senate Appropriations Committee Hearing

Topic: Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Hearing on Proposed Budget Estimates and Justification for FY2016 for the Veterans Health Administration.

Witnesses:

• Carloyn Clancy, Interim VA Undersecretary for Health
• James Tuchschmidt, Acting Principal VA Deputy Undersecretary for Health

U.S. House of Representatives Events

The House of Representatives is holding a state work period this week.