Murkowski Morning Meeting For Wednesday, March 18, 2015

What DC is Reading

• Washington Post: Senate Democrats Playing Politics with Trafficking Bill
• WSJ: Congress Should Vote on Iran Deal, Support Bipartisan Bill to Do So
• Politico: Hillary’s Email Defense Is Laughable

U.S. Senate Events

Fighting for Alaska’s Timber Industry

Alaskan Impact: Alaska has historically proven that robust development, tourism, and habitat can successfully coexist. While Senator Murkowski appreciates the Forest Service’s mantra of “caring for the land, service the people,” she doesn’t feel like the agency is living up to it—especially in Southeast Alaska. Today Senator Murkowski pressed U.S. Forest Service Chief Tidwell on how the Forest Service can support healthy local economies and local forests.

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 the Forest Service.

Witnesses:

• Tom Tidwell, Chief, U.S. Forest Service
• Tony Dixon, Director for Strategic Planning, Budget, and Accountability, U.S. Forest Service

(Click image to watch video.)

Senator Murkowski: “We have to recognize that the commitments that we’re receiving from the FS are not translating into increased harvest in our forests. So I’m discouraged because I don’t know where the communities I was born in, Ketchikan, or raised in, Wrangell, I don’t know where they go.”

(Click image to watch video.)

Senator Murkowski: “No timber, reduction in recreation, not even available for accessing renewable/hydroelectric power or other development that will allow us to reduce our energy cost…these are tough hearings for me. Tough because the people of my state bear the consequences.”

Missile Defense Radar: A “Must Have” for Alaska

Alaskan Impact: The military has continuously recognized the importance of Alaska for missile defense—most recently including $40 million in the National Defense Authorization Act for improvements and expansions to the missile defense system at Fort Greely. Just last June, Vice Admiral Syring (Director of the Missile Defense Agency) told Senator Murkowski that Alaska’s long range discrimination radar system is “absolutely vital.” Today the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee heard again from Admiral Syring on the MDA’s priorities in the FY2016 budget.

(Click image to watch video.)

Senator Murkowski to Admiral Syring: “Some might suggest the long range discrimination radar is nice to have, but you’re saying this is a must have.”

6:30a.m. AKDT

Senate Appropriations Committee Hearing

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

Witnesses:

• Vice Admiral James Syring, Director, Missile Defense Agency

U.S. House Events

NOAA’s Work in the North

Alaskan Impact: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has the ability to make huge decisions impacting Alaska—from approving $12.9 million in fishery disaster relief to rejecting a proposal to block off 730,000 square miles to any commercial activity. Today Dr. Kathryn Sullivan, Administrator of NOAA, testified on the proposals within her agency’s budget.

6:30a.m. AKDT

House Appropriations Committee Hearing

Topic: Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Hearing on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Budget.

Witness:

• Kathryn Sullivan, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Budget

Watch the entire hearing by clicking here.