I have appreciated how you and I have been able to work on the committee under your leadership, and I thank you for that.

we urge you to support $1.6 billion for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) in fiscal year 2016

Well, I am trying to chase rumors, so if anybody has more detailed information, I think it would be helpful to know.

Thank you, Madam Secretary. I assume, Deputy Secretary Connor, you are available as we probe into the intricacies of the budget here, so appreciate your being here as well.

I am moving forward with an Arctic initiative.

I wanted to ask about something that has come up in the news recently about possible Department of Defense interest in conducting some tests at Yucca Mountain.

the cost of regulations that is the big barrier to market for new nuclear projects.

Thank you for the opportunity to submit written testimony regarding the fiscal year 2016 funding level for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).

I think we need to assert that leadership and do so in a way that is smart and safe.

Does that review also include then the export possibility and ensuring that the licensing process will make it easier to export our SMRs to other countries?

These withdrawals have occurred despite the tremendous energy potential in those areas, despite the pressing need to refill our pipeline, and despite extreme opposition from most Alaskans.

I appreciate the fact that you not only went to see Kivalina but you met with not only our Native leadership at their winter retreat but also with the Governor, the leadership in the House and Senate, and the entire Alaska Congressional…

I want to commend Secretary Jewell for giving us an excellent place to start that conversation.

I deeply believe we desperately need a new policy on nuclear waste.

I am very concerned that we get no funding from DOJ within BIA for our Public Law 280 States.

I am hopeful that along with Senator Cantwell, we will be able to advance some of the constructive ideas.

I think it is important that folks understand how this plan came to be and the thinking behind it.

We ask the United States to step up and honor the agreements and treaties between our great Nations and protect the funding of Native American programs.

the fear, of course, is that rather than creating efficiencies, what we may have developing here is additional unpredictability, lack of clarity in terms of where you are going with the project that deters investment, that really can…

I mention to my colleagues here at the committee these issues again so that you are aware that these are priorities not just for me but priorities for Americans that live in perhaps some very unique and different situations.

when she is in rural Alaska she hears as much or more about this issue than any other.

If I can just give you a little direction here, in terms of the different mitigation ratios that are out there, part of what we are dealing with, I think, is the uncertainty to the operator, what will be required.

I think it is going to be important to make sure that we have a level of revenue sharing where those states, those coastal states, that host economic activity off their shores, their coast lines, are fairly compensated.

I have some concerns over the process associated with access to public lands for purposes of filming

I do think that demonstrates wishful thinking and not the governance we need with this budget.