Lisa Murkowski

I would just, again, urge that we ensure that we don't have duplication of efforts across the agencies at a time when we have got tough budgets.

It seems to me is common sense.

Unless we are able to bring about the confidence of the American people in hydraulic fracking, it could be the Achilles heel for the promising energy resource we see.

The President has been very strong on supporting the future of natural gas. It is an abundant domestic resource.

In last year's appropriations bill, we included language that stated that consultation with the tribes must occur before any changes to the 477 program moved forward.

Well, and as we talk about tribal consultation, it makes sense to have that consultation with all of the affected agencies.

I mentioned in my comments my appreciation for the funding in the budget for contract support costs within BIA's budget.

This is a tight budget. It is a squeeze budget. There are painful cuts included.

We are making significant progress there.

It is a new beginning in our relationship with Indian country.

Independent studies have indicated tourism and conservation, outdoor recreation, and historic preservation bring in about 8 million jobs to this country every year.

We have an aggressive program for oil and gas development, both onshore as well as offshore.

I am also very optimistic that language that was included in last year's Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies appropriation bill that transfers the authority over air quality issues in Arctic OCS from the Environmental Protection…

This is an unacceptable situation in my opinion, particularly in light of the fact that we have yet to enact legislation that would provide for State revenue sharing for OCS-producing States.

So when we cut back on PILT, when we cut back on Secure Rural Schools program funding, there is no way to expand their tax base.

I think that before we commit funds to additional land acquisitions that we should make sure that we have got a definitive way to honor our existing commitments.

I think it is somewhat shortsighted to continue underfunding essential construction and maintenance programs.

These funds are absolutely, absolutely critical for the delivery of so many programs to Native Alaskans.

It is imperative that we work with the executive branch to improve the efficiency and the quality of the programs.

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You've got a long ways to go.

We have got to figure out a good path forward.

The answer is not just drilling. But it is part of the solution.

It's going to be an additional 70, 80 years for Alaska to get our lands conveyed, those lands that were promised on statehood.

We need an action plan that works. It's not just this administration, I will tell you. I had to push the previous administration on this as well. I don't think that any other State would sit and wait for 50 years to get the lands that were…