Murkowski Morning Meeting For Wednesday, September 10, 2014

What DC is Reading

• Washington Post: Several Golf Clubs Turn Down President Obama
• Moscow Times: Russia Building Military Bases in Arctic
• New York Times: Watchdog Agency Says VA Lied About Waiting Lists

U.S. Senate Events

Keeping an Eye on the Middle East

Alaskan Impact: With a large military footprint and a strong streak of vigilance, Alaskans are watchful of foreign threats as the nation approaches another anniversary of 9/11. Where American forces (many based in Alaska) once fought the Taliban or Al Qaeda, a new threat has emerged in the Middle East: the Islamic State. With the Obama Administration’s inability to decide on a strategy to deal with these extremists, they have advanced into Iraq and gained a foothold in that country. Today the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee sought answers on where things stand in the region.

5:30a.m. AKDT

Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Hearing

Topic: “Cybersecurity, Terrorism, and Beyond: Addressing Evolving Threats to the Homeland.”

Witnesses:

• Francis Taylor, Homeland Security Undersecretary for Intelligence and Analysis
• Suzanne Spaulding, Homeland Security Undersecretary of the National Protection and Programs Directorate
• Nicholas Rasmussen, Deputy Director of the National Counterterrorism Center in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence
• Robert Anderson Jr., Executive Assistant Director of the FBI’s Criminal, Cyber, Response, and Services Branch

(click image to watch video)

Senator Johnson (R-WI): “ISIS is like a hornet’s nest in the backyard–if you identify the threat, you want to get rid of it as quickly as possible, you don’t want to poke it for 3 years.”

To view entire recording of hearing, click here: http://www.hsgac.senate.gov/hearings/cybersecurity-terrorism-and-beyond-addressing-evolving-threats-to-the-homeland

U.S. House Events

Healthcare Headaches

Alaskan Impact: Nearly 16,000 Alaskans will see their health insurance rates increase substantially, for some as high as 37%, as a result of the Affordable Care Act. Senator Murkowski is committed to seeking a health care reform that both cuts costs and improves access to health care services in Alaska. The implementation of Obamacare has been faulty and created headaches (and higher costs) for Alaskans seeking care, and this morning the House Ways and Means Committee received updates from various agencies on the impacts of this law.

6:00a.m. AKDT

House Ways and Means Committee, Health Subcommittee Hearing

Topic: “The Status of the Affordable Care Act Implementation.”

Witnesses:

• Andy Slavitt, Deputy Principal Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
• John Koskinen, Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service

Click here to view the hearing: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/hclive09