Lisa Murkowski

I am not in favor of the wholesale elimination of or drastic reductions to programs simply to hit a budget number.

The budget that we are looking at now, in my view, does not use gimmicks, but it does propose some real cuts to the programs.

We know that we need flexibility.

We have challenges. We are a place that is born and bred to meet challenges with great ingenuity and some enthusiasm.

There has been a lot of frustration with how Choice has kind of come about.

I have been thinking that every year now for 3 years.

It is our veterans that do not get that level of service.

I am beyond frustrated. I do not know what else we need to do.

I thank you for the steps that you are taking to help restore Alaska's trust in the Department.

We need more jobs, we have a dire state budget, we need more revenue.

I would note, however, that PILT should be mandatory and it should not be subject to an across-the-board cut.

This is something that most Alaskans, more than 70 percent, strongly support.

I think you are off to a good start, and I appreciate that.

I think it is better than what we have seen in recent years.

I think it is a good sign that the agency's top priority in this request is to invest in national forest management.

I was pleased to see the Administration note that it is prepared to work with Congress to find a fiscally responsible solution.

I think continued effort, conversation, dialogue and a willingness to get there is important.

I remain dedicated and willing to work with him, with other members of the Committee and members of the Senate.

I think we want to continue to try to do right by these budgets. You mentioned it is tough but we have an obligation here.

I am concerned, and I am speaking for a lot of people in my State who are worried about the inconsistency between the State marijuana laws and the Federal policy.

I think that we have some things that we would like to discuss with you and your folks with regard to fiscal year 2017 funding levels that are a bit problematic.

So many of our communities have none whatsoever. As a consequence, we are dealing with some very troubling statistics within our State.

It just seems that we have kind of a self-reinforcing spiral when it comes to certain drug costs.

We need the Commissioner to certify.

Well, why can we not just get our pharmaceuticals through the mail and through licensed providers in Canada?