Press Releases
Media Requests: Members of the media can contact the press office by emailing Joseph_Plesha@murkowski.senate.gov or by calling 206-302-8317 and asking for the press office.
Murkowski Facilitates Senate Approval of Treaties that Help Alaska’s Fisheries
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In the first U.S. Senate approval of international treaties since December of 2010, Senator Lisa Murkowski today lauded two much-needed nautical treaties being approved weeks after she testified on the nation's need for them before the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs: the Port State Measures Agreement and the Convention on the Conservation and Management of High Seas Fisheries Resources in the North Pacific Ocean. Both of these treaties will protect Alaska's fishing… Continue Reading
04.03.14
Murkowski to AG Holder: “Is this Really Harsh Discipline?”
WASHINGTON, D.C. - On the heels of Senator Lisa Murkowski's questioning of FBI Director Comey last week on the punishment meted out to an agent who broke the law during the Ted Stevens investigation, she picked up this line of questioning again today with Attorney General Eric Holder. In a hearing of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Murkowski asked Holder what disciplinary actions have been taken against the FBI agent or the Justice Department prosecutors involved in the "miserable prosecut… Continue Reading
04.03.14
Senator Murkowski: Coast Guard Cost Estimate is Further Proof Road is Only Viable Option
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) yesterday wrote her fourth letter to Interior Secretary Sally Jewell since the rejection of a lifesaving road for the people of King Cove, Alaska. This new letter was in response to a suggestion from Jewell that the U.S. Coast Guard could establish a permanent air station on the Alaska Peninsula to satisfy the emergency medical access needs of King Cove. Murkowski sent the letter to Jewell after receiving cost estimates for such an air station from the Coast … Continue Reading
04.02.14
Murkowski Calls for “Action Plan” from Bureau of Indian Affairs to Fund Tribal Courts
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today strenuously advocated that the Bureau of Indian Affairs properly fund tribal courts in Alaska to support their development and advancement - seeking firm estimates and information from tribes and BIA officials to determine what funding levels should be requested. She reminded the BIA that tribal courts exist in Alaska and they are operating, but not every village in Alaska operates tribal courts and the BIA needs to formally invest in training and… Continue Reading
04.02.14
Murkowski Stresses “Ideal” Alaska Air Force Position, Advocates for F-35s
WASHINGTON, D.C. -Senator Lisa Murkowski today questioned U.S. Air Force officials about the state's increasingly-vital role in the nation's defense, as well as the potential placement of F-35s in Alaska - as Alaska's two Air Force Bases are still in the running to house the planes. Murkowski also took the opportunity with several members of Air Force leadership appearing before the Senate Appropriations Committee to inquire how the Air Force and National Guard are addressing the military sexual… Continue Reading
04.02.14
Murkowski: Steller Sea Lion Decision Validates Push for Science-Based Policy
Senator Lisa Murkowski today welcomed the news from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that it has determined that Aleutian Island groundfish fisheries do not pose harm to the western population of Steller sea lion or its habitat. The new Biological Opinion (BiOp) incorporates recent scientific date that shows that commercial fishing was not jeopardizing the western populations of Steller sea lions. Murkowski has urged NOAA for years to consider external reviews from the Center… Continue Reading
04.01.14
Sen. Murkowski: Fifth Coast Guard Medevac of the Year in King Cove
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) today spoke on Senate floor about the latest U.S. Coast Guard medevac out of King Cove, Alaska, and the continued need for an access road to link the remote Alaska Peninsula community with reliable medical care in an emergency. (Click to play video of Sen. Murkowski's floor speech) The Coast Guard on Monday was called once again to King Cove to medevac a 58-year-old Seattle fisherman, who was injured onboard the Seattle-based processor,… Continue Reading
04.01.14
Murkowski Seeks to Empower Medical Volunteers During Disasters
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today introduced the Good Samaritan Health Professionals Act four days after the 50th anniversary of Alaska's Good Friday earthquake - to protect volunteer health care providers assisting in disaster areas from civil liability when providing care outside their home community to victims. The bill would allow health professionals to use their medical liability insurance across state lines when volunteering after a serious disaster. "In Alaska, there is a … Continue Reading
04.01.14
Murkowski Making Progress Keeping Alaskan Historical Documents in Alaska
Senator Lisa Murkowski's ongoing conversations with the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) about their proposal to shut down the Anchorage Archives and take the records to Seattle are beginning to reap results for concerned Alaskans. Though the federal records in question were presumed to be required to stay in NARA's physical custody and be moved to the Lower 48 site, the Archivist of the United States tells Senator Murkowski he is willing to explore alternatives. In response… Continue Reading
03.31.14
“All American Citizens Have A Duty To Our Country”
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Lisa Murkowski today is releasing her 22nd Veteran Spotlight interview, focusing on the military service of Soldotna resident Gary Turner, a highly decorated retired U.S. Air Force Captain. During his fifteen year career, Turner earned a number of honors including the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal and Outstanding Airman of the Year. Now Director and CEO of University of Alaska Kenai Peninsula College, Turner is continuing his… Continue Reading
03.31.14
Murkowski Honors William H. Seward on Seward’s Day
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In celebration of Seward's Day in Alaska, Senator Murkowski shared these comments: "On behalf of grateful Alaskans, I would like to thank William H. Seward for appreciating the value and potential that our state represents. Seward saw what the land and location could offer America, even before our rich resources were discovered. His prescience is seen today through our vital military position on the globe as we face foreign threats to the West. "Though Seward was labeled as… Continue Reading
03.28.14
Murkowski Raises Alaskan Priorities with NOAA Administrator
Senator Lisa Murkowski met with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration head Dr. Kathy Sullivan for the first time since Sullivan was confirmed by the Senate earlier this month. Murkowski took this opportunity to run Dr. Sullivan through a line-up of Alaskan concerns including the Chinese Shellfish ban, electronic monitoring on small fishing boats and the potential of radiation from the Fukushima earthquake and tsunami entering Alaska waters. "I was glad I had the chance to raise concer… Continue Reading
03.27.14
FBI Agent in Stevens Investigation “Severely Disciplined,” Director Tells Murkowski
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today pushed the Federal Bureau of Investigation Director James B. Comey, Jr. for answers about the agency's investigation into improper and unethical activities by FBI agents that overshadowed the fraud-laden federal investigation of Senator Ted Stevens. Years after the Stevens verdict was thrown out of court by Attorney General Eric Holder, Murkowski is still seeking closure for Alaskans upset at the lack of information surrounding the efforts that ha… Continue Reading
03.26.14
Murkowski Questions Interior Secretary on Arctic Commitment
WASHINGTON, D.C. - With the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) responsible for advancing five key aspects of the nation's Arctic agenda, Senator Lisa Murkowski today questioned the Interior Secretary about how much attention - and funding - the administration is giving its Arctic plans, as nations around the world are investing billions in the region. The administration's recent Arctic Implementation Plan identified the DOI as tasked with overseeing development of non-renewable energy resour… Continue Reading
03.26.14
Sen. Murkowski Presses Interior Secretary Jewell on Need for Lifesaving Road
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) today confronted Interior Secretary Sally Jewell over her rejection of a lifesaving road for the Alaska community of King Cove. Murkowski called on the secretary to reopen the record of decision and reconsider the Christmas-time rejection of the project. (Click for Sen. Murkowski's comments to Secretary Jewell on King Cove) "I need you to carry the message to this administration that this road is nonnegotiable; that the health and saf… Continue Reading
03.25.14
Murkowski Meets with Coast Guard Commandant Nominee Paul Zukunft
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today met with Vice Admiral Paul F. Zukunft of the United States Coast Guard to discuss America's Arctic future, icebreakers and his pending nomination to be the 25th Commandant of the Coast Guard. Zukunft is the current Pacific Area Commander for the United States Coast Guard and made the visit to Murkowski's Capitol Hill office given her lead role in Arctic issues and committed advocate for the Coast Guard. "It was great to meet with Vice Admiral Zuku… Continue Reading
03.24.14
Murkowski Welcomes Rural Water Funding for Alaska
Senator Lisa Murkowski - as Ranking Republican on the Interior Appropriations Committee - today shared news with Alaskans that $10 million in funds she successfully was able to include in the FY2014 Interior Appropriations Bill for the EPA's Alaska Native Villages program was released by the agency to provide grants to implement critical wastewater and drinking water projects for Alaska Natives. "When I work with my Senate colleagues from the lower 48 on basic infrastructure needs, they are env… Continue Reading
03.24.14
Murkowski Applauds Admiral Tom Ostebo’s Nomination to Key Nat’l Position
Senator Lisa Murkowski today responded to the White House nomination of Rear Admiral Tom Ostebo to be the Deputy Commandant for Mission Support of the United States Coast Guard, saying: "Rear Admiral Ostebo's nomination is great news for the United States and our national Arctic agenda. Knowing Tom well, I am sure he will step into the role of Deputy Commandant for Mission Control with a depth of knowledge after spending three years in Alaska's tough conditions. It's reassuring that his passion… Continue Reading
03.19.14
Murkowski Announces New Rural Outreach Coordinator
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced the addition of Deborah Vo to be her Rural Outreach Coordinator. In her new capacity, Vo will engage with rural Alaskans to assist them with the challenges facing them from a federal perspective and advise Senator Murkowski's policy team in Washington, DC. "Rural Alaska has a unique set of possibilities and issues, and I welcome an experienced woman like Deborah to help contribute to my work for Alaskans," said Senator Murkowski. "Debo… Continue Reading
03.14.14
Murkowski Makes Push to Improve Accountability, Transparency at Justice Department
Senator Lisa Murkowski joined her colleagues Mike Lee (R-UT) and John Tester (D-MT) to introduce legislation to boost transparency and accountability within the Department of Justice. The Inspector General Empowerment Act would make an important internal change within the DOJ: currently, allegations of attorney misconduct are investigated by an agency that reports directly to the Attorney General rather than the autonomous Office of the Inspector General. The bill would remove this obvious c… Continue Reading
