Murkowski Morning Meeting For Wednesday, October 28, 2015

What DC is Reading

• The Hill: Bipartisan Budget Deal Appears To Have The Votes To Pass
• New York Times: Iran Accepts Invitation to Join U.S. and Russia in Talks on Syria’s Future
• Washington Post: U.S. Student Performance Slips On National Test

U.S. Senate Events

Unmanned Aircraft Systems in Alaska

Alaskan Impact: Unmanned aircraft systems have the potential for providing tremendous benefits in a state like Alaska—from research to development—but they must be utilized safely and effectively. Earlier this year Senator Murkowski and Congressman Young announced companion legislation in both chambers of Congress aimed at urging the Federal Aviation Administration to create policies for safe usage of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) across America’s skies. Today the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation held a hearing on how to incorporate UAS technology into the National Airspace System.

6:00a.m. AKDT

Senate Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Hearing

Topic: Hearing to Review Unmanned Aircraft Systems and the Steps Being Taken to Successfully Integrate This Technology Into our National Airspace System.

Witnesses:

• Michael P. Huerta, Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration
• Marty Rogers, Deputy Director, Alliance for System Safety of UAS through Research Excellence
• Captain Tim Canoll, President, Air Line Pilots Association International

Watch the entire hearing by clicking here.

Care for our Veterans

Alaskan Impact: Alaskans were appalled to learn that due to staffing issues at the Wasilla CBOC and organizational problems in the Alaska VA, multiple veterans were denied healthcare that could have potentially saved their lives. Earlier this month, Senate Democrats blocked the appropriations bill that funds veterans’ health services from advancing—a move that Senator Murkowski strongly opposed. Today the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee held a hearing looking into how to ensure that veterans have access to the mental health care that they were promised.

10:30a.m. AKDT

Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Hearing

Topic: “VA Mental Health: Ensuring Access to Care.”

Witnesses:

• Nicholas Karnaze, Former U.S. Marine
• Dean Maiers, Former U.S. Navy
• Roscoe Butler, Deputy Director For Health Care, The American Legion
• Dr. Jackie Maffucci, Research Director, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America
• Dr. Debra A. Draper, Director Of The Health Team, Government Accountability Office
• Dr. Harold Kudler, Chief Consultant For Mental Health Services, Department of Veterans Affairs

Watch the entire hearing by clicking here.

U.S. House Events

Developing Broadband

Alaskan Impact: Lack of wireless internet and broadband connectivity is just another challenge that Alaskans, especially those who live in the Bush, face every day. Senator Murkowski remains in contact with the FCC about the unique geographic and communication challenges that face our state. Today the House Energy and Commerce Committee discussed how to break down the barriers to develop broadband infrastructure.

6:00a.m. AKDT

House Energy and Commerce Committee, Communications and Technology Subcommittee Hearing

Topic: “Breaking Down Barriers to Broadband Infrastructure Deployment.”

Witnesses:

• Heather Burnett Gold, President and CEO, FTTH Council Americas
• Jeb Benedict, Vice President, Federal Regulatory Affairs and Regulatory Counsel, Centurylink
• Scott Bergmann, Vice President, Regulatory Affairs, CTIA
• Deb Socia, Executive Director, NextCentury Cities

Watch the entire hearing by clicking here.