Murkowski Morning Meeting For Wednesday, March 11, 2015

What DC is Reading

• New York Times: Hillary’s “Convenient” Private E-mails
• Politico: Seeking an Alternative to Health Care Reform’s “Monstrosity”
• The Hill: Obama Continues to Shortchange Ukraine

U.S. Senate Events

Russia’s Arctic Aggression

Alaskan Impact: Alaskans have been vocal about the importance of the military community to our state in recent weeks, and Senator Murkowski is making sure that the Army listens. Just last week she joined the rest of the Alaska Delegation to write a letter to the Army, urging the leadership to add troops in Alaska, due to increased Russian military activity in the Arctic. Today Senator Murkowski questioned Army officials on the heightened importance of Alaska’s strategic military location—from their thoughts on Russia’s activities in the North, to the Army’s ability to train soldiers to fight at high altitudes and cold places.

6:30a.m. AKDT

Senate Appropriations Committee Hearing

Topic: Defense Subcommittee Hearing on the Proposed Budget Estimates and Justification for FY2016 for the Army.

Witnesses:

• John McHugh, Secretary of the Army
• Raymond Odierno, Army Chief of Staff

(Click image to watch video.)

Senator Murkowski to General Odierno: Now that we are beginning to see increased Russian activity in the Arctic how is the Army adjusting its plans going forward?

Supporting Native Care

Alaskan Impact: With over half of all federally recognized tribes in Alaska and all health care delivered by tribal organizations, it’s impossible to overstate the significance of the Indian Health Service to the state. Senator Murkowski is supportive of many of the provisions in this year’s IHS budget, such as fully paying contract support costs and providing funding for suicide prevention and substance abuse within our Native youth, but remains concerned about the overall increase in money requested. Today Senator Murkowski chaired the first Indian Health Services budget hearing in over 5 years, asking Alaska-focused questions of the IHS officials.

6:00a.m. AKDT

Senate Appropriations Committee Hearing

Topic: Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Hearing on the Proposed Budget Estimates and Justification for FY2016 for Indian Health Service.

Witnesses:

• Yvette Roubideaux, Senior Advisor for American Indians and Alaska Natives, Department of Health Human Services
• Robert McSwain, Acting Director, Indian Health Service

Senator Murkowski questions Dr. Yvette Roubideaux on village built clinics and contract support costs—click images to watch video.

U.S. House Events

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