Murkowski Morning Meeting For Wednesday, March 5, 2014

What DC is Reading

• New York Times – “Obama Budget is Wish List and Election Blueprint”
• Wall Street Journal – “America’s Weapon Against Russia: Energy”
• Washington Post – “Support for Marriage Equality Hits Record High”

U.S. Senate Events

Last Frontier, Gateway to the Final Frontier

Alaskan Impact: While Alaska may be the last frontier, outer space has been known as the “Final Frontier”. In Alaska, we have tried to make our mark on the space industry – through projects like the Kodiak Space Launch Complex. With an increase in outsourcing space launches to private companies, Alaska’s complex could support polar orbit missions, and could be utilized for increased Arctic communications and research. Today’s hearing discussed America’s space launch programs.

6:00 am AKDT

Senate Appropriations Committee Hearing, Defense Subcommittee

Topic: “National Security Space Launch Programs.”

Witnesses:

• Cristina Chaplain, Director, Acquisition and Sourcing Management, Government Accountability Office
• Michael Gass, President and Chief Executive Officer, United Launch Alliance
• Elon Musk, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Designer, Space Exploration Technologies
• Dr. Scott Pace, Director, Space Policy Institute, Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University

(Click to view)
Michael Gass: Commercial and government sector are important partners in space research.

Watch the hearing here: appropriations.senate.gov

Alaska’s Military: A Budget Priority

Alaskan Impact: In Alaska, the military presence has a profound effect on the local and state economy. Not only is our military good for business, our men and women in uniform are great members of the community. Ensuring the bases in Alaska are well staffed and paid for – even as the nation carefully rethinks its spending priorities – is an important part of the appropriations process. Recent aggressive behavior by Russia also underscores Alaska’s strategic positioning.

5:30 am AKDT

Senate Committee on Armed Services Hearing

Topic: “Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2015 and the Future Years Defense Program”

Witnesses:

• Honorable Chuck Hagel, Secretary of Defense, Washington, D.C.
• General Martin E. Dempsey, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff

Watch the hearing here: armed-services.senate.gov

U.S. House Events

Fireworks over “Political Profiling”

Alaskan Impact: Senator Murkowski has been outraged over reports suggesting that the Internal Revenue Service targeted conservative political groups for heightened scrutiny – demanding answers to restore trust. Today’s hearing brought forward the woman who previously headed the IRS division in question, and resulted in a chaotic conclusion as the Chairman stormed out of the committee after she refused to testify.

5:30 am AKDT

House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Hearing

Topic: “Review of the targeting of political groups by the Internal Revenue Service”

Witnesses:

• Lois Lerner, former director of the exempt organizations in the IRS Tax Exempt and Government Entities Division

Watch the hearing here: oversight.house.gov

Click to view excerpt of the abrupt adjourning of the hearing