Lisa Murkowski

Oftentimes, we are looking at an air medivac that is costing $60,000 to $80,000, you know.

We have heard from a lot of vets who are hearing about this. They are really concerned because, again, coming from Bethel, you have got to have an air medivac.

There is one facility there with limited numbers of beds, and you just don't, literally, need the roof falling in.

I think you recognize that we don't have much of a contingency plan there in Alaska. This is it.

I have proposed the creation of an Off-Road Veterans Outreach Program, some support funding to get out, and then get those vets who can't drive, to a facility, so that they can get their questions answered.

I appreciated the fact that you followed through on your commitment from this last budget hearing, that you were going to come to Alaska.

I find it inexcusable and astonishing that Hawaii and Alaska would not be included, particularly, in a study for geothermal.

I would ask you to commit to conducting a study of the geothermal resources that we have in Alaska and in Hawaii.

I really appreciate you recognizing that Alaska is not going to be at a disadvantage when it comes to Federal funding.

There is no reason why we should not. So, I am with you in supporting your urging to the Agency.

I am not trying to cut anybody's corner here, but we are trying to run this in a more sustainable, defensible way.

I have proposed the creation of an Off-Road Veterans Outreach Program, some support funding to get out, and then get those vets who can't drive, to a facility, so that they can get their questions answered.

We are not going to leave them.

There is one facility there with limited numbers of beds, and you just don't, literally, need the roof falling in.

I think you recognize that we don't have much of a contingency plan there in Alaska. This is it.

I appreciated the fact that you followed through on your commitment from this last budget hearing, that you were going to come to Alaska.

How does this budget request empower the VA and its Community Engagement and Partnership Coordinators to seek out worthwhile organizations to form coalitions that support these kinds of initiatives?

Oftentimes, we are looking at an air medivac that is costing $60,000 to $80,000, you know.

We have heard from a lot of vets who are hearing about this. They are really concerned because, again, coming from Bethel, you have got to have an air medivac.

I think we would agree that that is not right, that is not reasonable.

I really appreciate you recognizing that Alaska is not going to be at a disadvantage when it comes to Federal funding.

I find it inexcusable and astonishing that Hawaii and Alaska would not be included, particularly, in a study for geothermal.

There is no reason why we should not. So, I am with you in supporting your urging to the Agency, to the Department to advance.

I expressed my disappointment that there was a DOE loan guarantee for a processing plant in Louisiana.

I expressed my disappointment that there was a DOE loan guarantee for a processing plant in Louisiana.