Newsletters
Senator Murkowski - eNewsletter 02-27-09
Presidents Day Recess in Alaska Senator Murkowski delivers her annual address to the Alaska State Legislature. Over the Presidents Day recess I delivered my annual speech to the Alaska Legislature. This is the seventh annual address I have delivered to the Legislature and it is a highlight of my year to return to the Alaska House chamber where my career as a legislator began. By now, you've probably heard about my proposal which I introduced today to develop the energy reserves benea… Continue Reading
02.09.09
Senator Murkowski - eNewsletter 02-09-09
Sen. Murkowski appointed to the Senate Republican Leadership Team Senator Murkowski meets with Senator McConnell earlier this month as part of his leadership team. I was honored to be appointed to the Senate Republican leadership team earlier this month. Republican Leader Mitch McConnell named me as a counsel, which means that I will offer my input, advice and guidance to the leadership team. This leadership position, combined with my recent appointment to the Senate Appropriations Com… Continue Reading
01.30.09
Senator Murkowski - eNewsletter 01-30-09
Inauguration week with so many Alaskans was great! Senators Murkowski and Begich with dancers from Barrow who performed in the Inaugural Parade. Last week was a historic week in Washington. The inauguration of President Barack Obama drew more Alaskans to D.C. than I have ever seen here before. The historic election of President Obama brought people from all over the country and the excitement and sense of purpose here was contagious. It has been great to see so many old friends and … Continue Reading
01.09.09
Sen. Murkowski eNewsletter 01/09/2009
Sen. Murkowski welcomes Mark Begich to the United States Senate Sen. Murkowski looks on as Mark Begich is sworn in as Alaska's new Senator. This was a busy week in the nation's capital with the opening of the 111th Congress and the swearing-in of Alaska's new United States Senator, Mark Begich, who becomes only the seventh senator to represent the state. In keeping with Senate tradition, I had the privilege of escorting Mark down the center aisle of the Senate chamber for his swearing… Continue Reading
12.18.08
Sen. Murkowski eNewsletter 12/18/2008
Sen. Murkowski visits with wounded Alaskan soldiers at Walter Reed This week I had the honor of visiting with five wounded soldiers attached to units of the 1/25 Stryker Brigade from Fort Wainwright. Surrounded by family members, all five are recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington from wounds suffered during their service in Iraq. No matter how severe their pain or how challenging their recovery ahead, you could not meet a more inspiring group of men. Federal priva… Continue Reading
12.02.08
Sen. Murkowski eNewsletter 12/02/2008
Capitol Visitors Center opens this week Sen. Murkowski with the acting Architect of the Capitol, Stephen Ayers, inside the Capitol Visitors Center, standing before a statue of Ernest Gruening, one of the first two senators from Alaska. The long-awaited Capitol Visitor Center, the newest addition to the United States Capitol, opened to the public this week, following six years of construction. Three million visitors are expected to come through the Visitor Center each year, so when … Continue Reading
11.24.08
Sen. Murkowski eNewsletter 11/24/2008
U.S. Senate bids farewell to Ted Stevens I joined Sen. Stevens on the Senate floor last week as he delivered the final speech of his Senate career which was answered by a standing ovation from his fellow Senators. Following Sen. Stevens's remarks, a bipartisan group of lawmakers, including Majority Leader Harry Reid, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Sens. Dan Inouye and Joe Lieberman, told stories about traveling and working with Ted over the decades, paying tribute to his storied … Continue Reading
11.07.08
Sen. Murkowski eNewsletter 11/07/08
Senator Murkowski to hold Senate field hearing in Anchorage on high school graduation rates As a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, I will chair a field hearing in Anchorage next Saturday, (Nov. 15) to explore what the federal government can do to help improve high school graduation rates and postsecondary success in Alaska and nationwide. Alaska has one of the worst high school graduation rates in the nation. Compounding this problem, too many studen… Continue Reading
10.03.08
Sen. Murkowski Special Edition eNewsletter 10/03/08
Congress passes economic recovery plan During the six years I have had the privilege of representing Alaskans in the United States Senate, I have had to cast many tough votes, but few as complex or far-reaching as the vote on an economic rescue plan. Over the past week, hundreds of Alaskans contacted my offices, and many of those callers, emailers and letter writers encouraged me to vote against a bailout for Wall Street that rewards the mismanagement of our financial institutions. After… Continue Reading
09.26.08
Sen. Murkowski eNewsletter 09/26/2008
Murkowski Comments on Financial Stabilization Efforts As I write this enewsletter, Congress and the Bush administration are in negotiations over a financial stabilization plan aimed at restoring confidence in our nation's economy. In recent days, I have heard from many Alaskans, and share their concern, regarding the Treasury's proposal to stabilize financial markets by allowing banks and other financial institutions to ask the federal government to purchase distressed mortgages and mort… Continue Reading
09.19.08
Sen. Murkowski eNewsletter 09/19/2008
Interest in the Arctic Gaining Prominence Interest in the Arctic has been increasing lately, both among lawmakers and policy experts on the subject. Last month I hosted the eighth Arctic Conference of Parliamentarians in Fairbanks, which brought At the Council on Foreign Relations Conference. together lawmakers from all eight Arctic nations. This week, I addressed two major public policy groups on the issue - the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, and the Center for Strategic and… Continue Reading
09.12.08
Sen. Murkowski eNewsletter 09/11/2008
Senate field hearing in Bethel As Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, I held a field hearing in Bethel August 28 on an issue of critical importance to Alaska Natives and rural villages throughout the state - the effect of high energy costs on the lives of people in rural Alaska. Photo: Rob Stapleton/AJOC These rising prices have reached unprecedented levels in our Native villages and across rural Alaska, and a real concern of mine is that if we don't find a way to p… Continue Reading
08.01.08
Senator Murkowski
Energy: Find More, Use Less Fox & Friends Appearance In recent days, I have continued to speak out about the need for Congress to pass legislation that takes a balanced approach to dealing with the high cost of fuel. The Senate has been considering a narrowly focused bill that targets only market speculators. That's one facet of the problem, but we need to move on all fronts - more domestic energy production, including drilling in ANWR, along with more conservation and an increa… Continue Reading
07.17.08
Senator Murkowski
Murkowski Looks for Balanced Energy Approach Senator Murkowski speaks to reporters about energy solutions. I joined several of my colleagues at a news conference this week to urge the Senate to consider a balanced approach to rising gas prices. The Senate is considering legislation that targets energy speculators, but does not deal with increased oil and gas production, conservation or alternative fuels. America needs a three-pronged energy strategy that focuses on domestic production… Continue Reading
05.02.08
Sen. Murkowski eNewsletter 05/02/2008
SENATOR MURKOWSKI ATTENDS NATIVE YOUTH OLYMPICS On Saturday, I attended the Native Youth Olympics in Anchorage. The annual event brings together hundreds of athletes from across the state competing in traditional Alaska Native games. The events are based on skills passed down through generations that test and fine tune hunting and survival skills. The games have received state and national recognition and are a unique part of our state's culture. For more information about the games … Continue Reading
04.21.08
Sen. Murkowski eNewsletter 04/18/2008
SENATOR MURKOWSKI WELCOMES PENSION SETTLEMENT TO ALASKA GUARD MEMBER I welcome the settlement in the pension case of Alaska Guardsman Robert Traut. Traut was granted full back pay and restored benefits after being denied reemployment by the Department of Health and Human Services in June 2000 after returning from a tour of active duty in the Alaska Air National Guard. Traut, who worked in Anchorage before going on active duty with the Guard, was reemployed by the federal government as… Continue Reading
04.04.08
Sen. Murkowski's April 4th 2008 eNewsletter
Senator Mukowski Joins Bipartisan Group of Senators In Introducing Legislation to Improve Care for Women Veterans I recently joined with a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators to introduce legislation to improve care for women veterans by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The legislation, the Women Veterans Health Improvement Act of 2008 seeks to prepare the VA for the unprecedented influx of female veterans who will access care there in the coming years. VA officials estimate that the am… Continue Reading
02.29.08
eNewsletter
Senator Murkowski Supports Victims of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill This week, the Supreme Court heard the appeal of the ongoing litigation between Exxon Mobil and commercial fishermen and other plaintiffs whose livelihoods were negatively impacted by the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill. Once the Supreme Court decided to hear this case, I joined with the Senator Stevens and Congressman Young in submitting an Alaska Congressional Delegation amicus brief to the United States Supreme Court. In t… Continue Reading
02.15.08
eNewsletter
Important Change in International Travel Requirements Effective January 31, 2008, U.S. and Canadian citizens ages 19 and older should no longer expect that they will be able to prove identity and citizenship by relying on an oral declaration alone. Travelers will be asked to present documentation proving citizenship and identity when entering the United States at land or sea ports of entry. For a complete list of acceptable documents and more information visit http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cg… Continue Reading
01.01.08
2007 Annual Report
Water Resources Development Act Becomes Law In November, the House and Senate overrode the President's veto of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), enabling the legislation to become law. Congress authorizes specific Army Corps of Engineers projects in WRDA, including studies, before appropriating funds to them. Congress had not completed a WRDA since 2000. Passage of a Water Resources bill was long overdue. I applaud my fellow members of Congress for recognizing the importanc… Continue Reading
