Murkowski Morning Meeting For Tuesday, September 29, 2015

What DC is Reading

• Washington Post: Congress Moves Closer to Preventing a Shutdown
• New York Times: Obama and Putin Play Diplomatic Poker Over Syria
• The Hill: McCarthy Talks ‘Generational Change’ in Speaker Race

U.S. Senate Events

Safe Skies

Alaskan Impact: Even as airport security is continuously upgrading, many Alaskans were alarmed to hear that the TSA recently failed to find fake explosives and weapons in 67 out of 70 test cases. As a result of these failed tests, former United States Coast Guard Vice Admiral Peter Neffenger was named TSA Administrator to bring more accountability to the agency that’s so largely responsible for keeping our skies safe. Today the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee received an update on how the TSA has improved the efficiency and effectiveness of its screening process under the new Administrator.

7:15a.m. AKDT

Senate Appropriations Committee, Homeland Security Subcommittee Hearing

Topic: “Transportation Security Administration Efforts to Address IG Findings.”

Witnesses:

• Peter V. Neffenger, Administrator, Transportation Security Administration
• John Roth, Inspector General, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Watch the hearing by clicking here.

U.S.-China Relationship

Alaskan Impact: Just a few weeks ago, Chinese warships were spotted only 12 miles off of Alaska’s coastline during President Obama’s visit to the state. Before that, personal information of over 21 million government workers was stolen by what are believed to be hackers tied to the Chinese government. Chinese President Xi Jinping is in the midst of a seven-day U.S. visit, calling for a strengthened relationship between our two countries. Today the Senate Foreign Relations heard from foreign policy experts on what the future holds for the relationship between China and the U.S.

10:30a.m. AKDT

Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Subcommittee on East Asia, The Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy Hearing

Topic: “The Changing Landscape of U.S.-China Relations: What’s Next?”

Witnesses:

• Christopher Johnson, Senior Advisor And Freeman Chair In China Studies, Center for Strategic and International Studies
• Dr. Melanie Hart, Director, China Policy, Center for American Progress

Watch the entire hearing by clicking here.

U.S. House Events

Implications of Marine Monument Formations

Alaskan Impact: Closing off millions of acres of public lands and waters, by creating new national monuments, would have devastating impacts on industries crucial to our state’s economy, including fishing and oil and gas exploration. Earlier this year, Senator Murkowski and Senator Sullivan introduced a bill that would require Congressional and state lawmakers to give approval before a president can create a new national marine monument. Today the House Natural Resources Committee heard from several experts, including an Alaskan fisherman, on the potential impacts of new marine monument designations, especially for the fishing industry.

6:00a.m. AKDT

House Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans Hearing

Topic: “The Potential Implications of Pending Marine National Monument Designations.”

Witnesses:

• Jon Williams, Owner, The Atlantic Red Crab Company
• Dr. Holly Bamford, Acting Assistant Secretary for Conservation and Management, National Ocean Service
• Dr. Andrew A. Rosenberg, Director, Center for Science and Democracy, Union of Concerned Scientists
• Rod Moore, Executive Director, West Coast Seafood Processors Association
• Chris Oliver, Executive Director, North Pacific Fishery Management Council

Watch the entire hearing by clicking here.