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 Eielson Delay Gets Final Passage in Senate
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today joined 97 of her colleagues in passing S.3254, the Defense Authorization Bill, on a bipartisan and unanimous basis. A key amendment proposed by Senator Murkowski and included in the final bill would delay for a year any structure movement like the F-16 Aggressor Squadron transfer being considered by the U.S. Air Force. "I thank the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Service Committee for accepting my amendment to delay the proposed F… Continue Reading
12.04.12
Murkowski Votes to Protect Disabled Worldwide with American Standards
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski voted in favor of ratifying the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, a treaty that would protect the rights of disabled veterans, the handicapped and blind when they travel abroad, consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Despite receiving bipartisan support, the treaty failed to receive the 67 Senate votes needed for ratification. "This treaty's bottom line is the most American principle that 'All Men and Women Ar… Continue Reading
11.30.12
Murkowski Urges Air Force Focus on Eielson's Future
WASHINGTON, D.C. - After months of Alaska congressional delegation sparring with the United States Air Force over the future of Eielson Air Force Base, Sen. Lisa Murkowski took to the Senate floor today to seek common ground with the military, by calling attention to the singular advantages presented by having a robust and diverse Air Force presence in Alaska positioned nearest to the Asia-Pacific Region where the Pentagon is now focusing its energy and attention. Senator Murkowski filed an ame… Continue Reading
11.30.12
Alaska Delegation Echoes Call for Public Meetings on Eielson Proposal
Citing the importance of community engagement, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich and Congressman Don Young today wrote to the Air Force's top brass encouraging them to hold multiple public meetings and hearings in communities that would be impacted by a proposal to relocate F-16s from Eielson Air Force Base in Fairbanks to Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson in Anchorage. The public meetings and hearings are part of a larger Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and housing-study process… Continue Reading
11.29.12
Murkowski Gets Army Commitment on Tracked Vehicles
WASHINGTON, D.C. - As the United States Senate debates the Defense Authorization Bill, an amendment filed by Senator Lisa Murkowski regarding the need for fully functional Small Unit Support Vehicles (SUSVs) - on the heels of her inquiry earlier this fall - has elicited a commitment to improve and overhaul the existing amphibious vehicles. Senator Murkowski received a response from U.S. Army Chief of Staff General Raymond T. Odierno today (attached) informing her the U.S. Army plans to retain… Continue Reading
11.29.12
Murkowski Amendment Honors Hmong "Stealth Heroes"
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski filed an amendment that would allow Hmong covert operations volunteers during the Vietnam War to be buried in national cemeteries to honor them for their service to the United States. The action has been filed as an amendment (see below) to S.3254 the Defense Authorization Bill presently being considered by the U.S. Senate. "Hmong-Americans who fought and risked their lives in secret for America deserve the same public respect and honor we give the men… Continue Reading
11.28.12
Murkowski: Protecting Women is “Key Measuring Stick” for Afghanistan Progress
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today joined forces with six U.S. Senate colleagues in introducing the bipartisan Afghan Women and Girls Security Support Act that would require the Pentagon to put specific processes into place protecting women and girls in Afghanistan - and make that a condition of American forces transitioning out of the country. "A country and a culture can be judged by how it treats the vulnerable within its borders, and the security of women is a serious concern … Continue Reading
11.27.12
Murkowski: Knowledge, Research Key to Salmon Fisheries Future
WASHINGTON, DC-Senator Lisa Murkowski today thanked Governor Sean Parnell for the 5 year/$30 million Chinook Salmon Research Initiative he unveiled in Kenai, saying: "We were all deeply troubled by this summer's salmon runs, not only for the short-term struggles it caused, but also for the long-term unanswered questions itraised. We can't fully deal with the issues we may be facing without hard data and science to guide our thinking. I worked to restore millions in the 2013 Commerce, Justice … Continue Reading
11.27.12
Murkowski Praises Edward Itta Pick for U.S. Arctic Research Commission
WASHINGTON, DC -Senator Lisa Murkowski today responded to the White House intention to appoint Edward Itta of Barrow to the U.S. Arctic Research Commission with the following statement: "As the nation works towards its Arctic future, it is imperative that we advance well-considered policy to fully leverage our potential as an Arctic Nation. Edward Itta is an extremely intelligent choice for the United States Arctic Research Commission (USARC) as he has been considering Arctic policy and potent… Continue Reading
11.27.12
Murkowski Applauds Loans for Disaster-Struck Fishery Businesses
Senator Lisa Murkowski welcomed news from the Small Business Administration that low-interest federal disaster loans are being made available to some Alaskan businesses hit hard by the 2012 Chinook Salmon Fishery disaster during this summer's fishing season. Though the Department of Commerce already declared a commercial fishery failure for the Kuskokwim, and Yukon Rivers, along with the Upper Cook Inlet, this decision allows Alaskan businesses impacted by the low king runs to begin recovering … Continue Reading
11.24.12
Murkowski Encourages Alaskans to Shop Small and Locally
Senator Lisa Murkowski today encouraged Alaskans to support Small Business Saturday and support Alaska's small business community, offering the following remarks: "Thanksgiving weekend is an opportunity to catch up with family and friends, watch some football, eat some turkey - and is the official beginning of holiday shopping season. I want to encourage Alaskans to support our small businesses this weekend through Small Business Saturday. "Whether you're in or around Fairbanks, Anchorage, Ke… Continue Reading
11.21.12
Murkowski Working to Simplify Port Workers ID Process
Senator Lisa Murkowski is urging the Department of Homeland Security streamline the process for Alaskans working in the maritime industry who need to renew their Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card, a security badge required for access to the state's ports and marinas. Presently, Alaskans suffer from a complicated process that means at least two separate visits to a handful of locations closed more than they are open. In her letter to the Secretary of Homeland Security (… Continue Reading
11.20.12
Murkowski Honors Gulf War Veteran, Founder of Alaska Veterans Organization for Women
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Lisa Murkowski is releasing her 6th Veteran Spotlight installment today, featuring U.S. Army veteran Vanessa Meade - who served on the front lines during the Gulf War. Meade continued her service in the National Guard, then came to Alaska where she created the Alaska Veterans Organization for Women last year. During the First Gulf War, Vanessa Meade was a military police officer in Iraq, charged with transporting potentially-dangerous prisoners of war - frequently fin… Continue Reading
11.19.12
Murkowski: Alaskan Federal Retirees Facing 6-9 Months Without Benefits
WASHINGTON, D.C. - With up to 10 percent of Alaska's federal employees estimated to be retiring by year's end, Senator Lisa Murkowski is pushing the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to fix its broken system for distributing and processing retirement benefits which currently are running at a 6 to 9 month backlog. Because of an expiring provision in how pension benefits are calculated, federal employees in Alaska are expected to retire at a higher rate than normal at the end of this year. Bu… Continue Reading
11.18.12
Murkowski Honors Ted Stevens Legacy at Arlington Cemetery
WASHINGTON, DC -In honor of what would have been Senator Ted Stevens' 89th birthday, Senator Lisa Murkowski visited his gravestone at Arlington National Cemetery, and offered the following reflections: Click the image above for a link to video of Sen. Murkowski at Ted Stevens Grave "On November 18th, we celebrate the birthday of Ted Stevens - he would have been 89 years old this year. Here at Arlington we remember Ted and his life of service to our country, to the state of Alaska, to his f… Continue Reading
11.15.12
Murkowski Comments on Justice Department Decision on BP Spill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following comment regarding the $4.5 billion in federal penalties imposed on oil company BP for the 2010 Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill that killed 11 people. I'm pleased that BP, the Justice Department and the SEC have reached a settlement," Murkowski said. "While no amount of money will compensate for the lives lost in or the environmental damage done by the explosion, I hope that this will provide a measure… Continue Reading
11.11.12
Murkowski Honors America’s Veterans Across Alaska and at Arlington Cemetery
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Lisa Murkowski today participated in the National Veterans Day Commemoration, held at Arlington National Cemetery - the culmination of a month of honoring and serving Alaska's veteran community in state, as well an extended period of legislative actions in Congress benefitting men and women nationwide who defended the country in conflicts abroad. Senator Murkowski Speaks About the Solemnity of Veterans Day at Arlington Cemetery (Click image for link to video) The onl… Continue Reading
11.11.12
“We Must Serve Those Who Served Our Nation”
Senator Lisa Murkowski today offered the following statement in honor of Veterans Day: "On this Veterans Day of 2012, I thank every single man and woman who has worn the uniform of our armed forces. When challenges presented themselves to the cause of freedom and liberty around the world, these Americans stepped up and served - often facing dangerous, life-threatening enemies. "While Veterans Day is certainly a solemn one, where we humbly offer our deep gratitude - it is also an optimistic oc… Continue Reading
11.09.12
Murkowski Pushing Obama to Keep VA Secretary Shinseki
With President Obama's recent re-election a reality and potential administration changes looming, Senator Lisa Murkowski is strongly encouraging President Obama to retain Veterans Affairs Secretary General Eric Shinseki, calling on the White House to keep him in place by pointing out the "sea change" Alaska's veterans are seeing with across-the-board improvements in care and services under his leadership. In a letter sent to the White House two days before Alaska and the nation celebrates Veter… Continue Reading
11.09.12
Murkowski Announces Over $9 Milion for Winter Heat Aid
Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced that $9.7 million dollars is being directed to Alaska through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in the Fiscal Year 2013 Continuing Resolution. Earlier this year, Senator Murkowski joined a bipartisan effort to include language in the current continuing resolution that assured that the Obama Administration would allocate federal funding at the Fiscal Year 2012 level. Otherwise, the White House had planned to reduce funds from $3.47 bil… Continue Reading
