Murkowski Morning Meeting For Wednesday, November 19, 2014

What DC is Reading

• Washington Post: Senate Democrats Block Pipeline, Republicans Vow to Pass It in Next Congress
• Los Angeles Times: Obama to Announce Executive Action on Immigration Friday
• CNN: President and Health Care Advisor Disagree About Health Care Promises

U.S. Senate Events

Protecting Vets on the Home Front

Alaskan Impact: Alaskans have the highest concentration of veterans in the nation, and we know that they return home with both mental and physical wounds. Senator Murkowski has made serving Alaska’s and America’s soldiers a priority of her legislative agenda, focusing on their acute medical and mental health needs – including co-sponsoring legislation this past Monday to serve veterans better. Today’s Veterans’ Affairs Committee hearing (still going on) is discussing what Congress can do to bolster efforts on the home front against depression and suicide.

6:30am AKST

Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Hearing

Topic: “Veterans’ Mental Health and Suicide.”

Witnesses:

• Harold Kudler, Chief Consultant for Mental Health Services at the Veterans Health Administration
• Caitlin Thompson, Deputy Director of Suicide Prevention at the Veterans Health Administration
• Dean Krahn, Deputy Director of the Veterans Health Administration’s Office of Mental Health Operations
• Susan Selke, mother of deceased Marine Corps combat veteran Clay Hunt

Watch the entire hearing by clicking here.

(Click images to watch excerpts)

Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA): “What is the VA doing system-wide to see to it that the handoff between the initial diagnosis and first treatment is seamless?”
Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) questions VA officials on mental health services in rural areas.

Fighting for Native Children

Alaskan Impact: Rural Alaska is facing a crisis in when it comes to the rates of childhood abuse, neglect, and trauma. Senator Murkowski has repeatedly addressed these critical issues, including introducing a commission to find solutions for challenges facing Native children. Today the Senate Indian Affairs Committee spoke with a panel of experts, including a witness from Alaska, about what needs to be done to prevent childhood trauma.

10:30am AKST

Senate Indian Affairs Committee Hearing

Topic: “Protecting our Children’s Mental Health: Preventing and Addressing Childhood Trauma in Indian Country.”

Witnesses:

• Robert Listenbee Jr., Administrator of the Justice Department’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
• Yvette Roubideaux, Acting Director of the Indian Health Service
• Kana Enomoto, Principal Deputy Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
• Verne Boerner, President and CEO of the Alaska Native Health Board

Watch the entire hearing by clicking here.

U.S. House Events

Creating Sustainable Flood Insurance

Alaskan Impact: The threat of flooding is a harsh reality in Alaska. Senator Murkowski has continuously worked with FEMA to ensure that the federal government understands the unique challenges of flooding in Alaska, whether that be the mapping of our state’s flood plains or the rebuilding of Galena. Today the House Financial Services Committee will evaluate what needs to be done to create a sustainable flood insurance market.

10:00am AKST

House Financial Services Committee Hearing

Topic: “Opportunities for a Private and Competitive Sustainable Flood Insurance Market.”

Witnesses:

• Steve Ellis, Vice President of Taxpayers for Common Sense
• Jordan Gray, Senior Vice President and General Counsel with WNC Insurance Services, Inc.
• Don Brown, Florida property insurance expert

Watch the entire hearing by clicking here.