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.
Commerce Secretary to Murkowski: Debris Aid Increasing 20%
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today questioned Acting Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank on several critical ocean policies facing Alaskan coastal communities during a Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS) Appropriations Subcommittee hearing, and was informed that NOAA's national marine debris removal program is being increased twenty percent, mostly to deal with tsunami debris. Among the topics raised in a rapid-fire question and answer period were: tsunami marine debris relief; issue… Continue Reading
04.11.13
Murkowski Statement on Gun Legislation Vote
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today voted against proceeding to consideration of gun votes on the U.S. Senate floor without the legislation being fully detailed in advance. The 'cloture vote' passed 68-31, though, and Murkowski shared here reasoning afterwards: "More than most states, Alaskans are protective of our 2nd Amendment rights and we guard them as we guard our property and loved ones. Today we voted to proceed to consider a bill unacceptable to Alaskans based solely on th… Continue Reading
04.10.13
Murkowski Critical of President’s Budget
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today responded to the budget proposal submitted to Congress by President Obama, originally due for introduction on February 4th, saying: "The President once again is leading from behind, this time leading us deeper into debt. 65 days after his budget was due and two-plus weeks after we voted on the Senate budget, the President is now entering the budget conversation, after the smoke has cleared - with a plan for billions more in tax and spend policy. … Continue Reading
04.10.13
Murkowski’s Bill Fighting Youth Suicide Passes Major Hurdle
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today was proud that components from one of the first bills she co-sponsored this year - the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Reauthorization Act, a bill to combat youth suicide - was passed out of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee this morning, as a piece of the Mental Health Awareness and Improvement Act. Murkowski's work and legislation is included through parts of the Mental Health Awareness and Improvement Act: Early Diagnosis… Continue Reading
04.09.13
Murkowski Responds to Grounding of Eielson F-16s
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today responded to the news the F-16 Aggressor Squadron at Eielson Air Force Base has been grounded as part of a nationwide "stand down" effort connected to federal spending cuts, saying: "Congress should replace automatic spending cuts, known as "sequestration," with a comprehensive approach of targeted spending cuts, mandatory spending changes, and tax reform. "Among the services, the Air Force has been hit disproportionately hard by sequestration.… Continue Reading
04.09.13
Murkowski Questions DOE Nominee Moniz on Support for LNG Exports
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today challenged Ernest Moniz, President Obama's nominee to lead the Department of Energy, to be, if confirmed, a strong voice within the administration for policies that are clearly and unambiguously working to keep energy abundant, affordable, clean, diverse and secure. (Click for video of Murkowski's opening statement) Murkowski questioned the Energy Department nominee on his support for exporting natural gas, efforts to expand the u… Continue Reading
04.08.13
Murkowski: Suspension Reversal Ruling Shows Oversight “Remains a Mess”
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today responded to the news that an administrative judge has overturned the suspensions of two prosecutors in the ethics case against Senator Ted Stevens - deciding that the Department of Justice had gone against internal procedure in its punishment of the two attorneys in question, by saying: "The Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) decision to overturn the suspensions of prosecutors' misconduct in Senator Ted Stevens' case teaches us nothing we didn… Continue Reading
04.05.13
Alaska Delegation United for Immigration Reform
WASHINGTON, D.C. - With negotiations over comprehensive immigration reform continuing over the Easter state work period, Alaska's Congressional Delegation is weighing in on the matter in a letter (attached) to leaders in both chambers, citing Alaska's historic commitment to diversity and inclusion as the spirit to be kept in mind as the process moves forward. Leading with an allusion to Elizabeth Wanamaker Peratrovich's successful fight for equality during the 1940s, and pointing out that Alask… Continue Reading
03.28.13
Capitol Hill Chooses Respect in Washington, DC
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Though Alaska's Washington, D.C. delegation is back home for the Easter work period, Alaskans on Capitol Hill held a rally today to participate in Alaska Governor Sean Parnell's "Choose Respect" movement along with over a hundred other communities within the state. (Alaskans in Washington, DC participated in the "Choose Respect" campaign to end domestic violence and sexual assault. Click HERE to view video of the event.) Where Murkowski and Young will be today: Senator … Continue Reading
03.27.13
Murkowski Honors U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Lisa Murkowski released her tenth Veteran Spotlight installment today, showcasing Jim Vance - a United States Marine Corps veteran and Purple Heart recipient who served in Vietnam. An active member of Alaska's veteran community, Vance shared his incredible story of facing sniper fire during the war, which led to a life-changing moment on the morning of April 30th, 1970 - a firefight he still remembers today as when "all hell broke loose." Born in 1950, Vance knew he wa… Continue Reading
03.25.13
Murkowski to Hold Subsistence Public Meetings in Alaska
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced she is holding two public meetings in Alaska on the topic of subsistence. The sessions will provide a forum for Alaskans to be heard on this important cultural and food security issue, and to have their testimony taken back to Congress. The first public meeting will be held in Bethel on April 2nd and will be live-streamed on the Senator's website for all interested in watching. The second subsistence meeting will be held in the Ahtna reg… Continue Reading
03.25.13
UPDATED - Murkowski Announces Public Schedule for Easter Work Period
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced a revised schedule for her upcoming visits to Ketchikan, Anchorage, Eagle River, Fairbanks, Eielson Air Force Base, Fort Wainwright and Bethel during the two-week Easter Work Period - and will be available for media opportunities at several events. The Senator will now only hold public events in Ketchikan tomorrow, and will host a media availability directly after her speech to the CER Chamber of Commerce in Eagle River at the Bear Mount… Continue Reading
03.23.13
Murkowski Statement on Budget Votes
WASHINGTON, D.C. - As the United States Senate considered different budget approaches, Senator Lisa Murkowski voted against the proposal from Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), releasing the following statement afterwards: "This week in the Senate, what was debated were two competing visions for our nation's fiscal future. Not exact spreadsheet budgets with dollars and cents details, but blueprints to help map out the road ahead. "On one hand, you had Senator Patty Murray's approach which did not a… Continue Reading
03.22.13
MEDIA ADVISORY: Murkowski Announces Schedule for Upcoming Easter Work Period
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced she will be visiting Ketchikan, Anchorage, Eagle River, Fairbanks, Eielson Air Force Base, Fort Wainwright and Bethel during the two-week Easter Work Period - and will be available for media opportunities at several events. Following are details of media availabilities: Ketchikan WHEN: Monday, March 25, 2013; 1:15 - 2:30 p.m. WHAT: Lunch - Ketchikan Young Professionals Network WHERE: Best Western Landing H… Continue Reading
03.21.13
Murkowski Working to Address Alaska Fisheries, Health Care in Budget Talks
WASHINGTON, D.C. - With the United States Senate currently considering the 2014 budget, Senator Lisa Murkowski is taking advantage of the amendment process to introduce or co-sponsor four pieces of deficit-neutral legislation to address a number of Alaskan needs. Labeling Frankenfish: Though one national grocery chain has announced they will voluntarily begin labeling all genetically-modified products, there is no national standard to build customer awareness. After building Senate momentum … Continue Reading
03.21.13
Murkowski Comments on Release of NOAA Arctic EIS
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today made the following statement in response to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's release of a draft supplemental environmental impact statement (EIS) for oil and natural gas activities in the Arctic Ocean. "While I appreciate NOAA's decision to take a second look at the EIS, I continue to believe it's unnecessary for the agency to conduct this review. Environmental reviews are already required at each step of the offs… Continue Reading
03.21.13
Murkowski Reaches Agreement with Secretary Salazar on King Cove Road
"Sally Jewell will have the privilege of going to King Cove and I will be right there with her. We'll have to find a time when the weather is best suited for travel - we may have to fly into Cold Bay and walk to King Cove." - Sen. Lisa Murkowski at Thursday's Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee markup of Jewell's nomination to be the next Secretary of the Interior. WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced an agreement with the Department of the Interior to review the… Continue Reading
03.20.13
Continuing Resolution Delivers for Alaska’s Rural, Military Needs
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Lisa Murkowski today cast her vote for H.R. 933, the Continuing Appropriations Act, which would fund the federal government through the remainder of the fiscal year ending September 30th. Included in the bill are key Alaska funding priorities, many of which were directly included by Murkowski in her role as the top Republican on the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee. Murkowski's determination to provide basic and essential medical needs to Alaska's First People was s… Continue Reading
03.20.13
Murkowski Unveils Offshore Revenue Sharing Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski introduced major bipartisan legislation today with Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) to ensure that all states receive a fair and equitable share of the revenues from energy production on federal lands and waters. The Fixing America's Inequities with Revenues (FAIR) Actwould give 27.5 percent of revenue from offshore energy development, including oil, gas, wind and other renewable energy sources, to coastal states, plus another 10 percent if the state create… Continue Reading
03.19.13
Murkowski: New Alaska VA Director Has the Tools for “Outside In” Progress in Alaska
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today welcomed news that the Department of Veterans Affairs has named Susan Yeager to be the new Director of the VA Alaska Health Care System. Yeager currently serves the VA as Alaska's Rural Health Program Manager, and has been a hands-on advocate for improving rural care for Alaska's veterans. Murkowski was quick to note, though, that Yeager's momentum in providing rural care must be continued and sustained to address Alaska's veteran community in ur… Continue Reading