Murkowski Morning Meeting For Tuesday, May 12, 2015

What DC is Reading

• New York Times: White House Unilaterally Changes Health Care Law … Again
• Washington Post: The National Security Agency Bulk Collection Needs Reform
• Washington Examiner: Energy Mega-Bill Gains Momentum

U.S. Senate Events

The Alaska Model of Permitting Reform

Alaskan Impact: Though oil and gas development generally receives the most attention, Alaska’s mining of gold, zinc, copper and other minerals supports over 8,000 jobs in our state and creates over half a billion dollars in direct and indirect payroll. Today the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee heard from Ed Fogels, from the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, on how the state is working with federal agencies and companies in order to speed up the permitting process, and how this process could apply to the rest of the country.

(Click image to watch video)
Senator Murkowski: “If we were to adopt this type of an approach that the State of Alaska has, acting as a liaison between mining companies and federal agencies, would this help us with the federal permitting process?”

6:00a.m. AKST

Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Hearing

Topic: Full Committee Hearing on S.883, the “American Mineral Security Act of 2015,” to Facilitate the Reestablishment of Domestic, Critical Mineral Designation, Assessment, Production, Manufacturing, Recycling, Analysis, Forecasting, Workforce, Education, and Research Capabilities in the United States.

Witnesses:

• Dr. Suzette Kimball, Acting Director, U.S. Geological Survey
• Ed Fogels, Deputy Commissioner, Alaska Department of Natural Resources
• Vice Admiral Kevin J. Cosgriff USN, Retired, President and CEO, National Electrical Manufacturers Association
• Harry M. Conger, President of Americas Division, Freeport-McMoRan Inc.
• Dr. Richard Silberglitt, Senior Physical Scientist, RAND Corporation

Watch the entire hearing by clicking here.

Giving Veterans a Healthcare Choice

Alaskan Impact: Veterans in Alaska receive a Choice Card issued by the VA Healthcare System—giving them access to private healthcare providers since there is no VA hospital in Alaska. Today the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee evaluated the future of the Veterans Choice Program, which Murkowski improved last year by assuring full repayment to doctors who take care of men and women who served.

10:30a.m. AKST

Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Hearing

Topic: “Exploring the Implementation and Future of the Veterans Choice Program.”

Witnesses:

• Sloan D. Gibson, Deputy Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs
• Dr. James Tuchschmidt, Acting Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Health
• David J. McIntyre, President and Chief Executive Officer, TriWest Healthcare Alliance

Watch the entire hearing by clicking here.