01.17.14

Murkowski: Obama Surveillance Reforms “Clearly Not Enough”

Senator Lisa Murkowski today responded critically to President Barack Obama's speech laying out his proposed reforms of the government's surveillance practices: "President Obama today told Americans he 'takes our privacy rights into account' with the N.S.A.'s overly broad surveillance policies - that's clearly not enough. Americans deserve privacy protection, not mere consideration. It is up to Congress to make the necessary reforms, such as those contained in the USA Freedom Act that I co-spo… Continue Reading

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01.17.14

Murkowski Food Advocacy Effort Builds Momentum, Expands to $20 Million Alaska Salmon Purchase

WASHINGTON, D.C. - After successfully encouraging the U.S. Department of Agriculture to expand its efforts to provide more produce to food banks and affiliates nationwide last week, Senator Lisa Murkowski was able to help convince Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to use $20 million in existing funds to also purchase Alaska canned pink salmon for Americans in need. Murkowski was the lead Republican on a bipartisan August letter (attached) with over 20 of her Senate colleagues recommending more … Continue Reading

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01.16.14

Murkowski Co-Sponsors Bill to Repeal 2016 Veterans Benefits Cuts

Senator Lisa Murkowski today joined seven of her Senate Republican colleagues in introducing S.1931, the Responsible Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2014. This legislation would fully pay for an extension of unemployment insurance benefits for three months and repeals recent cuts in the military retiree cost-of-living adjustment included in December's budget agreement - without adding to the nation's deficit. "This bill is a rational, reasonable proposal to help jobless Americans t… Continue Reading

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01.16.14

World War II Veteran: “Freedom Isn’t Free; I’m Lucky”

WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Lisa Murkowski is today releasing her 20th Veteran Spotlight interview, focusing on the military service of Anchorage resident and WWII veteran Captain Howard "Mike" Hunt. The honor comes as Hunt celebrates his 91st birthday. Hunt joined the Army Air Corps, which would eventually become the U.S. Air Force, as a commissioned officer in 1942 when he was 20 years old. As a member of the Air Transport Command Ferry division, Hunt flew all over the world, including mission… Continue Reading

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01.16.14

Murkowski to White House: “Put America First” for Coastal Erosion Concerns

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today sent a letter (attached) to President Obama, calling out his administration for its contradictory messages on rising sea levels, after visiting with Shishmaref residents earlier this week who were sounding the alarm on Capitol Hill about the dire coastal erosion they face. The Shishmaref representatives informed Murkowski they've been told there is no federal funding available for a number of projects that would protect them - despite the fact tha… Continue Reading

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01.15.14

Murkowski Criticizes Administration’s “Blind Eye” on Benghazi Attack

Senator Lisa Murkowski today had the following response to the Senate Intelligence Committee's report concluding that the terrorist attack of the Benghazi Consulate in 2012 that resulted in the death of United States Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other Americans was "preventable": "I am angrier and sadder than ever at the Senate's report finding that the Benghazi attack was avoidable and that Americans needlessly died at the hands of terrorists. The fact that this administration ch… Continue Reading

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01.14.14

Murkowski: Appropriations Bill Underscores Alaska’s Military Value

Four of Alaska's major military construction projects are being fully funded through the 2014 Omnibus Appropriations bill, further indication of Alaska's pivotal role in the nation's defense from emerging Asia-Pacific threats. Senator Lisa Murkowski was also able to add a provision requiring the United States Army to share the lessons learned from the Stuart Creek Fire investigation she initiated and ensure that Alaska's veterans get improved medical care as close to home as possible. The bil… Continue Reading

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01.14.14

Murkowski’s Appropriations Advocacy Reaps Fishery Failure and Tsunami Debris Aid

The 2014 Omnibus Appropriations bill marks a major benchmark for Senator Lisa Murkowski's negotiations for Alaska that address a wide range of marine needs for the state - most notably providing $75 million for recent fishery failures nationwide, including Alaska's Chinook disaster in 2012. It also boosts tsunami debris response efforts, advances a much-needed electronic monitoring alternative for Alaska's small boat fishing fleet, and millions in government loans to improve the commercial fish… Continue Reading

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01.13.14

Murkowski’s Appropriations Leadership Promotes Alaska’s Fish, Forests and Public Safety

Senator Lisa Murkowski today is pleased to share the results of her negotiations with Congressional Appropriations Committee members on the newly-released 2014 Interior Appropriations bill, fighting off a number of funding threats to Alaska priorities and protecting core Alaska concerns like fisheries, land management and the suicide crisis among Alaska Natives. With the Department of the Interior managing a majority of Alaska's lands, forests and waters, Murkowski leveraged her position as Ran… Continue Reading

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01.13.14

Murkowski Fights Federal Overreach Through Appropriations Work

Today's Interior Appropriations bill showcases a number of victories for the Alaskan economy through what Senator Lisa Murkowski was able to negotiate as Ranking Republican on the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee - notably through what potentially harmful regulatory provisions she was able to keep out of the bill. "The biggest challenge we face in Alaska is the inability to access and develop our abundant natural resources. Without access our economy is hobbled - and the federal government,… Continue Reading

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01.13.14

Murkowski’s Approps Work Wins Alaska Health Care Jobs, Reverses Administration’s Shortchanging of Alaska Natives

Senator Lisa Murkowski today is pleased to share the results of her negotiations with Congressional Appropriations Committee members on the newly-released 2014 Department of Interior budget, in particular the result of her year-long battle waged with the Administration to fully fund the operations costs of tribally managed hospitals and clinics, and fully fund the staffing packages for six new health facilities across Alaska. Senator Murkowski is the top Republican on the Interior Appropriations… Continue Reading

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01.13.14

Murkowski Negotiating Unemployment Insurance/Veterans Benefits Package

Senator Lisa Murkowski today issued the following joint statement with eight of her Republican colleagues regarding the current state of ongoing negotiations surrounding a three-month unemployment insurance benefits extension that is fully paid for: "We continue to negotiate in good faith, and we are all encouraged that we are making progress on a package that could pass with bipartisan support. The proposal includes (1) a three-month extension of the temporary federal long-term unemployment i… Continue Reading

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01.10.14

Murkowski Backs Fix to Veterans’ and Unemployment Benefits

As the Senate continues to debate a three month extension of unemployment benefits, Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced she is joining a number of her Senate colleagues to co-sponsor Senator Kelly Ayotte's (R-NH) Senate Amendment 2063 to the Unemployment Benefit Extension Bill, which both funds a three month extension of long-term unemployment insurance benefits and repeals the cuts in yearly pension increases for early military retirees that was a component of the bipartisan budget deal. Th… Continue Reading

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01.09.14

Murkowski Slams Sec. Jewell for Turning Her Back on Alaskans

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) today slammed Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell on the Senate floor for rejecting a proposed road that would provide the remote Alaska community of King Cove with emergency medical access needed to protect local residents. Murkowski called the decision "heartless," saying it endangers residents and ignores the Interior Department's trust responsibility to Alaska Natives. (Click for video of Sen. Murkowski's floor speech.) "With this decision, S… Continue Reading

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01.09.14

Murkowski Pushes Back Against Unwelcome NOAA “Holiday Surprise”

WASHINGTON, D.C. - With the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration having opened a one month comment season on an important issue between Christmas and New Year's - when most Alaskans were attending to personal matters - Senator Lisa Murkowski today sent a letter to NOAA (see attached) pushing for more time. On December 27th, NOAA released its Draft Guidance for Assessing the Effects of Anthropogenic Sound on Marine Mammals, which seeks to improve understanding of acoustical impacts on… Continue Reading

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01.09.14

Murkowski Responds to Wal-Mart’s Commitment to Alaska Seafood

Senator Lisa Murkowski today responded to Wal-Mart's announcement that it remains "committed to buying Alaska seafood" in the wake of Juneau discussions with state officials and experts: "I am pleased that Wal-Mart decision-makers took me up on my offer to visit Alaska before making a final determination, and it's clear Alaska's sustainable wild seafood continues to be its own best advocate. The management of Alaska's fisheries - and our commitment to sustainability - should never be in doubt.… Continue Reading

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01.08.14

Murkowski Responds to U.S. Army Force Structure Changes

Senator Lisa Murkowski today responded to the overall Alaskan U.S. Army reductions reflected in the nationwide "sweeping reorganization" and personnel overhaul announced by U.S. Army Alaska (USARAK): "Though Alaska is disappointed to lose any U.S. Army personnel, these numbers show that the Last Frontier remains a premier location for the nation's defense. With the United States Army responsibly conducting a regular evaluation of their positioning worldwide to boost efficiency, many states are… Continue Reading

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01.07.14

Murkowski Supports Unemployment Benefit Extension Debate

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today voted to proceed to a debate on S.1845, the Unemployment Insurance Extension Bill, sharing her thought process with Alaskans: "It is important that we have compassion for those Americans caught up in the administration's economic policy failures - particularly during the more difficult winter months - but these extensions cannot be unlimited. "Instead, we need to see far more productive actions to strengthen job creation and restructure existing … Continue Reading

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01.06.14

Murkowski Efforts Help Bring Fresh Produce to Alaskans In Need

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced they are allocating existing funds to purchase fruit and vegetables for those in need, following a bipartisan effort spearheaded by Senator Lisa Murkowski, Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) and 23 of their colleagues in August. The produce will be distributed to needy families under The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). Murkowski was the lead Republican on an August letter (attached) and commends the decision by the USDA. "T… Continue Reading

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12.23.13

Murkowski’s Advocacy Helps Reap Secure Rural Schools Payments “Holiday Gift”

Senator Lisa Murkowski today commended the Administration for its decision to not reduce the next round of payments to be made to Southeast Alaska timber communities under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act. Earlier this year, Senator Murkowski was sharply critical of the Forest Service's decision to apply the automatic, across-the-board federal budget cuts commonly known as "sequestration," to Secure Rural Schools payments that had previously been made for 2013. Ala… Continue Reading