Thank you. Mr. Chairman, I am out of time.

Okay. So this bill will fix that legal authority, is that correct?

I have introduced S. 4365 because Alaska Native children experience the highest incidences of hospitalization from dog attacks than any other group in the Nation, and we need to deal with it.

But we also know that you have to have the legal authority first. So that is what we are trying to do here.

This is a commonsense piece of legislation that ensures the Federal Government lives up to its trust obligations while providing a humane, non-lethal option for animal population control.

But if in fact you have costs that could average, as I understand, around $20,000 per person plus lost wages plus travel costs if folks have to fly, then that is also a balancing factor if that individual is being treated through IHS…

But we also know that you have to have the legal authority first. So that is what we are trying to do here.

Okay. So this bill will fix that legal authority, is that correct?

Thank you. Mr. Chairman, I am out of time.

Statement of Senator Murkowski

This is a commonsense piece of legislation that ensures the Federal Government lives up to its trust obligations while providing a humane, non-lethal option for animal population control.

Statement of Senator Murkowski

I have introduced S. 4365 because Alaska Native children experience the highest incidences of hospitalization from dog attacks than any other group in the Nation, and we need to deal with it.

So that is why, this is the question. Is that why, then, IHS had previously denied the request by both, well, there were two tribal health organizations in Alaska, at YKHC and Maniilaq, when they sought to add veterinary spay and neuter…

But if in fact you have costs that could average, as I understand, around $20,000 per person plus lost wages plus travel costs if folks have to fly, then that is also a balancing factor if that individual is being treated through IHS…

This significant piece of legislation aims to prevent and control severe and life-threatening zoonotic diseases.

I think we recognize that when it comes to families and their ability to go to work, if there is not affordable childcare or if there is no childcare whatsoever, it makes it pretty darn hard.

I have introduced S. 4365 because Alaska Native children experience the highest incidences of hospitalization from dog attacks than any other group in the Nation, and we need to deal with it.