Murkowski Morning Meeting For Wednesday, May 6, 2015

What DC is Reading

• NBC News: FAA Gives Flight to Drone Test Program
• Washington Post: Passing Budgets and Bills, Congress Slowly Increases Productivity
• Wall Street Journal (Paywall): Reid Filibusters Obama

U.S. Senate Events

Secretary of Defense: Arctic a “Major Area of Importance”

Alaskan Impact: America is an Arctic Nation because of Alaska, and Senator Murkowski is the most vocal advocate on Capitol Hill for greater engagement (and investment) in the region on the part of the federal government. Her amendment that prioritized investment in a polar icebreaker was a component of the budget that passed the Senate yesterday. Today Murkowski gained a commitment from the Secretary of Defense that he sees the Arctic as a “major area of importance” and wants to work with her to develop an Arctic military plan that is “more than aspirational.”

(Click image to watch video.)
Secretary of Defense Ash Carter to Senator Murkowski: “The Arctic is going to be a major area of importance to the U.S. strategically and economically in the future, I think it’s fair to say we’re late to the recognition of that…a plan that is more than aspirational is needed.”

6:30a.m. AKST

Senate Appropriations Committee Hearing

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

Witnesses:

• Ashton Carter, Secretary of Defense
• General Martin Dempsey, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff

Fighting for Fish – Brain Food, Economic Driver

Alaskan Impact: While the peak fishing season is right around the corner, fishing in Alaska is a year-round endeavor— a multi-billion dollar industry for our state and the economic livelihood of more than 80,000 Alaskans. Senator Murkowski has worked to make sure the fishing industry continues to be an economic driver for our state, while ensuring our fisheries are intelligently and sustainably managed. Today the Senate Small Business Committee held a hearing on how federal laws impact the U.S. seafood industry.

10:30a.m. AKST

Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee Hearing

Topic: “Impact of Federal Labor and Safety Laws on the U.S. Seafood Industry.”

Watch the entire hearing by clicking here.

U.S. House Events

The House is in recess for a state work period.