Lisa Murkowski

I would hope that you not only would commit to trying to understanding a little bit more about these gaps, but then reporting back to the Committee with us on that.

I think they are surviving, and even thriving now. But to me, the long-term trajectory... I am quite worried about that.

I think that overlays over so much of what we are discussing when we are talking about the threats to gaming.

I think it is fair to say that public safety and housing are top issues, certainly in my State.

I am confident that Ms. Kunesh will bring the same strong leadership and ethics to the position as she does in her role as ANA commissioner.

The National Indian Gaming Commission must adapt to the changing landscape of gaming and technology.

Public safety and housing are top issues, certainly in my State, and I know it is for my fellow colleagues here on the Committee as well.

I just wanted to compliment her and Senator Rosen on their work on both the Tribal Law Enforcement Act and this Bureau of Justice issue that we are having.

It's crucial that we support the nomination of Patrice Kunesh for the National Indian Gaming Commission.

I would hope that you not only would commit to trying to understanding a little bit more about these gaps, but then reporting back to the Committee with us on that to see if there isn't more that we need to be doing from a legislative…

I think they are surviving, and even thriving now. But to me, the long-term trajectory... I am quite worried about that.

I think that overlays over so much of what we are discussing when we are talking about the threats to gaming.

I am confident that Ms. Kunesh will bring the same strong leadership and ethics to the position as she does in her role as ANA commissioner.

I think what Senator Lujan has said is worth noting, the economic opportunities that can be made available, the social and economic benefits if ANCSA lands are made eligible under TFPA.

I want to make sure that we don't have any ambiguity.

Obviously, fire doesn't follow borders drawn on a map or any other strictures of law.

This is not acceptable. The forested lands owned by ANCs are in every aspect Indian forest land.

I want to focus my comments this afternoon on S. 4370, this is the Tribal Forest Protection Act Amendments of 2024.

Statement of Senator Murkowski.

Just before we close, I want to acknowledge my Committee intern, Nyche Andrew. She is Inupiaq, she is Yup'ik, she is from Anchorage.

I think you can hear, whether it is from Alaska and our lands up north to the lands as far south as New Mexico and Arizona, this is an issue that I think there is clearly common ground.

I think what Senator Lujan has said is worth noting, the economic opportunities that can be made available, the social and economic benefits if ANCSA lands are made eligible under TFPA.

I want to make sure that we don't have any ambiguity.

So I too want to make sure that we are not setting something up here where we have divergent views...

I am really disappointed. Being here today we have had so many years of discussion...