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: Debt Limit Increase Ignores America’s Fiscal Issues
Senator Lisa Murkowski today voted against a measure to lift the federal debt ceiling through March 15th, 2015, and explained her vote to Alaskans: "I voted against the so-called "clean" 13-month suspension of the debt limit because it represents an abdication of Congress' responsibility to address a national debt that exceeds $17 trillion - over $54,000 for every man, woman and child in this country. We owe more to America than to simply increase the debt without addressing the root cause. A… Continue Reading
02.12.14
Murkowski Votes to Restore Full Veterans Pensions
Senator Murkowski today voted with her Senate colleagues to rectify the 1% decrease in cost of living adjustments (COLA) to early military retirees included as part of the December bipartisan budget deal. Senator Murkowski has been a strong advocate in attempting to overturn this cut, and has worked with Senate colleagues across the aisle in order to correct this. "I stand with our brave men and women in uniform who put their lives on the line for the safety and comfort Alaskans enjoy. This cu… Continue Reading
02.12.14
Murkowski Tells Foreign Relations Committee: Alaskan Fisherman Need a Level Playing Field
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations about the multi-million dollar economic threat posed by illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing to Alaska's seafood industry, and the need for Senate ratification for the Port State Measures Agreement. Murkowski's testimony took a unique and personal tone when she recounted that her own son is just returning to port after a season fishing crab, saying that strengthened laws h… Continue Reading
02.12.14
Sen. Murkowski Voices Opposition to Interior Nominee
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) today announced she will vote against President Obama's nominee to oversee the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service if the nomination is taken up for a vote Thursday in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Rhea Suh, who has been nominated to be the Interior Department's next assistant secretary for fish, wildlife and parks; lacks the leadership qualities and background knowledge necessary to right an agency… Continue Reading
02.12.14
Murkowski to Jewell: Keep Your Promises to King Cove
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) yesterday sent a letter calling on Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell to uphold the promises and commitments she made more than seven weeks ago to protect the health and safety of those who live in the remote village of King Cove, Alaska. "While you chose to deny the surest option to provide safe and reliable emergency medical access for the residents of King Cove - a short, one-lane gravel road that would be used only for non-commercia… Continue Reading
02.11.14
Sen. Murkowski Calls for Greater Emphasis on Protecting Electric Reliability
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) today warned that the reliability of the nation's electric grid could suffer unless federal policymakers pay greater attention to the impacts of a range of new factors and forces, including changes in the nation's electricity mix and regulations being issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Murkowski made her remarks at the annual winter meeting of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC). In additi… Continue Reading
02.10.14
Murkowski Votes for Senate to Take Up Restoring Full Veterans Benefits
Senator Lisa Murkowski today cast a vote to begin debate on S.1963, the Military Pension COLA Bill, after over a month of seeking legislative solutions to this issue, saying: "I have left no doubt that I am committed to restoring the full pension benefits to early military retirees, set to see a 1% cost-of-living cut starting in January of 2016. I have backed a number of sensible pieces of legislation that will deliver on our promise to veterans without digging the nation deeper into debt, and… Continue Reading
02.10.14
Murkowski: White House Admitting Health Care Law Broken
Today the White House announced that it was again delaying the midsize-employer mandate for a year until 2016. Senator Murkowski had the following response to the decision, which the Washington Post reported was done to "defuse another potential controversy involving the 2010 health care law": "The White House delayed the employer mandate last July, they postponed the limit on out-of-pocket expenses for Americans in August, they admitted they weren't truthful about 'if you like your health pla… Continue Reading
02.10.14
Murkowski to Testify on Pirate Fishing Fight at Foreign Relations Hearing
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski will provide expert testimony on Wednesday in front of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations about the threat posed by illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing on Alaska's seafood industry and the need for the Port State Measures Agreement. "Since 1990, illegal and unlawful fishing is estimated to be a half a billion dollar problem to Alaska's economy - and we can regain control over our fisheries by better policing and enforcement at the p… Continue Reading
02.05.14
Murkowski Meets with Arctic Council Chair, Iceland Ambassador Nominee
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski held two meetings with Arctic officials in her ongoing effort to build relationships and consensus within the region, with the United States scheduled to begin the 2-year Chairmanship of the Arctic Council next year. "As I work in Washington, DC, national leaders are beginning to acknowledge we are an Arctic nation - which begs the question 'What now?' The dynamic Arctic region presents significant opportunities and challenges for Alaska, the U.S. and … Continue Reading
02.05.14
Murkowski Encourages Alaskans to Learn Online Today
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski shared a message in support of National Digital Learning Day, being commemorated statewide (at locations like Haines, Juneau and Kenai) and across the United States today: Click on the image above to watch her video message "Across Alaska, digital technology is opening up doors many never thought were possible. Every day, teachers bring students into a vast world by using computers, iPads, and even smart phones. Through technology, even students from… Continue Reading
02.04.14
Sen. Murkowski Comments on Closing of Flint Hills North Pole Refinery
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) today released the following statement on Flint Hills' decision to close its petroleum refinery in North Pole, Alaska: "This is a major blow to our state, particularly the economies of Fairbanks and North Pole as the refinery paid some of the highest wages in the region. My thoughts right now are with the families of the workers who will lose their jobs or will have to transfer out of the state. I have reached out to the Alyeska Pipeline Se… Continue Reading
02.04.14
Murkowski: Bloated Farm Bill is “Business as Usual”
Senator Lisa Murkowski today cast her vote against the Farm Bill, which CBS News reports contains "billions of dollars of subsidies" and the AP reports has "goodies scattered throughout the nearly 1,000 page bill for members from all regions of the country," explaining her vote to Alaskans afterwards: ""I committed to Alaskans that I would make the difficult decisions when it comes to curbing federal spending. This is why I cannot in good conscience support this bill when it continues billions … Continue Reading
02.04.14
Sen. Murkowski Grills Nominee Suh over Interior’s Lack of Respect for Alaskans
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) today firmly pressed the nominee for Assistant Secretary for Fish Wildlife and Parks, Rhea Suh on the Interior Department's disregard for the needs and concerns of the people of Alaska. Murkowski questioned Suh about whether the department was doing anything to ensure the safety of the people of King Cove after Interior Secretary Sally Jewell rejected, on Dec. 23, a proposed a life-saving road that would have connected the isolated communit… Continue Reading
02.04.14
Sen. Murkowski Secures Commitment to Arctic Development
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) today secured a commitment from the nominee for Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management, Janice Schneider, to improve the Interior Department's permitting process and provide greater regulatory certainty for oil and natural gas exploration in the Arctic. (Click photo for video of Sen. Murkowski's questioning of Janice Schneider) "I agree with you that business needs regulatory certainty and predictability. People, particula… Continue Reading
02.04.14
Murkowski Urges Obama to Reverse Interior Decision on King Cove
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) today sent a letter to President Obama calling on him to reconsider Interior Secretary Sally Jewell's rejection of a land exchange in the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge that would provide a life-saving road for the residents of the isolated community of King Cove, Alaska. "The core issue in this dispute is one of simple justice: are potential or minor risks to birds more important than the lives of the residents of the native village of K… Continue Reading
02.04.14
Murkowski Meets with NORAD Chief on Arctic Matters
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski sat down with United States Army General Charles Jacoby, Commander of NORAD and the US Northern Command to review progress on implementation of the Arctic Defense Agenda outlined by Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel in November. "There are so many new possibilities emerging in the Arctic, and the rest of the world is taking notice and acting - which means increased competition for Arctic opportunities that Alaskans can benefit from," said Murkowski. "Ge… Continue Reading
01.30.14
Murkowski: Actions, Not Words Needed in Arctic
Senator Lisa Murkowski today responded to the White House's release of its "Implementation Plan for the National Strategy for the Arctic Region" by saying: "I am disappointed the released Implementation Plan is less an action plan than it is a mere snap-shot of existing and ongoing efforts in the Arctic. It does little to advance an agenda or further new commitments to making the Arctic a priority. It does provide a means to measure how committed this Administration is to the Arctic by includ… Continue Reading
01.30.14
Murkowski Votes to Avert Alaskan Flood Insurance Rate Hike
WASHINGTON, D.C. - After years of fighting costly and flawed Alaskan flood risk formulas for homeowners by the Federal Emergency Management Agency - with some Alaskan properties classified as 'high' risk based on flawed or outdated data and maps - Senator Lisa Murkowski cast a vote today for the bipartisan Homeowners Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014 she co-sponsored. S.1962 passed the Senate today, 67-32. This bipartisan legislation would halt any federal flood insurance rate hike on … Continue Reading
01.30.14
Senator Murkowski Proud to Announce 2014 Service Academy Nominations
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today proudly announced the names of 34 Alaska high school seniors she is nominating for appointment to the U.S. military service academies for the class of 2018. "Each year, Alaska's superlative high school seniors apply to be nominated to our nation's military service academies by demonstrating a keen focus on their country, academics and fitness. I appreciate the time, energy and efforts of everyone who submitted applications; the enthusiasm they sho… Continue Reading
