03.11.13

Murkowski: “We Are All Connected” on Tsunami Damage, Efforts

WASHINGTON, D.C. - On the two year anniversary of the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan, Senator Lisa Murkowski spoke on the Senate floor to remind her colleagues and the nation of the long road ahead to rebuilding that country, the increasing risks and threats along the Pacific Coast posed by marine debris - and that this disaster has created a more intense bond between the Japanese people and Alaskans. Murkowski also made the case again for an interagency task force to be formed, fo… Continue Reading

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03.08.13

Murkowski to Pentagon: Honor Combat Over Drones

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski reached out to Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel today and asked him to rethink the status level attached to the new "Distinguished Warfare Medal." The new award places the service provided by military men and women who pilot unmanned aerial vehicles in a higher status than that of men and women under fire - including the Purple Heart, bestowed upon those veterans who have been injured or killed in combat. Senator Murkowski and 22 of her Senate colleagues a… Continue Reading

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03.07.13

Murkowski Pushes Interior Nominee Jewell to Restore Balance

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski questioned the nominee to be the next Secretary of the Interior, Sally Jewell, about her commitment to return much-needed balance to the various missions of the Department of the Interior - including responsible energy development. In her opening comments, Murkowski told the candidate and REI President, "We need you to affirm that public lands provide not just a playground for recreational enthusiasts, but also paychecks for countless energy producers, … Continue Reading

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03.06.13

Murkowski to Question Interior Nominee on King Cove, Alaskan Concerns

WASHINGTON, D.C. - After weeks of publicly raising Alaskans' concerns toward the Interior Department's agenda and decision-making, Senator Lisa Murkowski will have the opportunity to ask questions directly of Interior Secretary nominee Sally Jewell tomorrow morning. Murkowski is expected to drill down on the recent King Cove road access decision - along with a number of other Alaskan-focused federal land use concerns - in her capacity as the top Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resou… Continue Reading

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03.05.13

Senator Murkowski’s Ocean Policy Fight to be Honored

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski will be honored tomorrow for her continued work and dedication in responsible ocean policy and science advocacy - receiving the Admiral James D. Watkins Congressional Leadership Award at the Consortium for Ocean Leadership's 2013 policy forum. As the Republican co-founder of the U.S. Senate Oceans Caucus and Ranking Member on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Senator Murkowski has served a critical role championing oceans and Arctic pol… Continue Reading

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03.04.13

Murkowski Responds to Energy, EPA Nominations

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today released the following statement in response to President Obama's nomination of Regina McCarthy to be the next administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and Ernest Moniz to be the next Secretary of Energy: "I will withhold judgment until I've had a chance to speak to the nominees directly, but my main concern is that both agencies take immediate steps to restore balance to our nation's energy and environmental policies. That balance has… Continue Reading

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03.01.13

Murkowski Visits State-of-the-Art Alternative Energy Brewery

JUNEAU- While in Juneau last week to deliver her annual speech to the Alaska Legislature, Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, toured the Alaskan Brewing Company's innovative recycling system in action. The company uses waste grain from the brewing process as biomass to generate steam energy and make more beer. Senator Murkowski tours the Alaskan Brewing Company in Juneau, Alaska (CLICK IMAGE for a video of the tour and explanation of the spent-grain biomass boiler process) The "Beer Powered Beer… Continue Reading

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03.01.13

Murkowski: “Case Closed” on the Eielson Closing Argument

WASHINGTON, DC - As the time closed for comments to be submitted from Alaskans, Senator Lisa Murkowski today delivered a stinging and comprehensive refutation of the flawed United States Air Force proposal to transfer the F-16 Aggressor squadron from Eielson Air Force Base to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson - in addition to the comments received directly from Alaskans through her "Eielson Closing Argument" online initiative she created before the U.S. Air Force allowed comments to be sent via th… Continue Reading

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02.28.13

Delegation Pushes USAF to Transfer German-Based F-16s to Eielson

WASHINGTON, DC - On the eve of the final day of the United States Air Force's comment period regarding its proposal to move the F-16 Aggressor Squadron from Eielson Air Force Base to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska's Congressional Delegation today made their final argument for making Eielson AFB more robust, not less, as the Pentagon shifts its focus to the nearby Asia Pacific region - supporting Governor Sean Parnell's suggestion earlier this month. In a letter to Air Force Secretary M… Continue Reading

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02.28.13

Murkowski Supports Common Sense Flexibility on Sequestration

WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Lisa Murkowski today voted in favor of a move to give the administration flexibility in how $85 billion of sequestration budget cuts are made in 2013 - in what will be a ten year process - and against a permanent tax hike to avoid spending cuts in the near term. She provided the following statement after the votes: "The Administration has said they do not have the flexibility to make the truly painful cuts, and former Defense Secretary Panetta said last week that he wi… Continue Reading

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02.28.13

Murkowski Hails House Passage of Senate Violence Against Women Act

WASHINGTON, DC - Within days of Senator Lisa Murkowski sending a letter to Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH) urging him to allow a vote on the Senate version of the Violence Against Women Act reauthorization bill, the House of Representatives today passed the Senate version, 286-138. Today marks the culmination of a lengthy bipartisan advocacy campaign by Murkowski dating back to the previous session of Congress, and her work has been acknowledged by the AWAIC shelter in Anchorage and th… Continue Reading

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02.27.13

Murkowski: Legacy Wells Are Pinnacle of Negligence and Hypocrisy

WASHINGTON, D.C. -Senator Lisa Murkowski today testified via teleconference at an Alaska State House Resources Committee hearing on House Joint Resolution 6, the Legacy Well Remediation Resolution. She was invited to participate by Alaska State Representative Charisse Millett, R-Anchorage. "The situation in the NRPA represents the pinnacle of environmental negligence and hypocrisy. This is the same federal government and Department of Interior who - as they should - have held private industry … Continue Reading

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02.27.13

Murkowski: Violence Against Women Act “Above Politics”

WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Lisa Murkowski reached out to Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH) along with two of her Senate colleagues and urged the Speaker to take up the Senate-passed S.47 Violence Against Women Act reauthorization act. The Violence Against Women Act reauthorization - which Senator Murkowski co sponsored - passed the Senate two weeks ago with the support of 78 Senators and over 1300 organizations representing domestic and sexual violence groups like the AWAIC shelter in Anch… Continue Reading

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02.26.13

Murkowski Votes Against Defense Secretary Nominee Chuck Hagel

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today voted against Secretary of Defense nominee Chuck Hagel - who was confirmed on a 58-41 vote - and released the following statement: "While I greatly respect Chuck Hagel's public service, his military career and Vietnam experience do not automatically translate to leading the Pentagon - especially as it faces 21st Century conflicts and challenges. "Twelve days ago, I agreed to proceed to a final vote on Senator Hagel because it has been my general … Continue Reading

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02.26.13

Murkowski Calls for Review of Federal Energy Efficiency Authorities, Programs

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski took her energy agenda to the other side of Capitol Hill this morning and testified before a House of Representatives Subcommittee, sharing her views on the federal government's potential role in advancing energy efficiency - a key policy component featured in her Energy 20/20 blueprint she unveiled earlier this month - while also seeking efficiencies within the Department of Energy. Murkowski stressed that as Congress seeks to put the nation on a fisca… Continue Reading

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02.25.13

Murkowski Honors U.S. Army Veteran, Alaskan Leader

WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Lisa Murkowski is releasing her ninth Veteran Spotlight installment today, showcasing the work of Hugh "Bud" Fate, a U.S. Army Veteran who was drafted during the Korean War and helped map the ALCAN Highway for military use. Born in 1929, Fate recalls his family being greatly impacted by the Great Depression when he was a child. As a young man, he moved to Alaska for better job opportunities and for the Frontier life style. Fate recalls working on a drill rig on the No… Continue Reading

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02.25.13

Murkowski Takes Case for Alaska Natural Gas Exports Directly to Japanese Prime Minister Abe

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski on Friday met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (AH-bey) and other top Japanese officials to discuss opportunities to send Alaskan natural gas to his country to meet Japan's growing energy needs. This came one day after Murkowski - the top Republican on the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee - shared her "Energy 20/20" blueprint with the Alaska State Legislature, which included a goal of expanded exports. "Alaska is the ideal sour… Continue Reading

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02.15.13

Murkowski Commemorates 24th Elizabeth Peratrovich Day

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today offered the following statement in advance of Elizabeth Peratrovich Day, which takes place in Alaska tomorrow: (Click HERE to watch video message) "This weekend, the State of Alaska will once again gather to celebrate one of our greatest civil rights activists and female leaders, Elizabeth Peratrovich. As many Alaskans know, there are few names in our history that exemplify timeless impact and progress more so than Elizabeth." "Elizabeth and h… Continue Reading

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02.15.13

Murkowski Announces President’s Day Work Week Schedule

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced that she will be visiting Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau over the Presidents Day week - and will be available for media opportunities at several events. Following are details of media availabilities: ANCHORAGE: WHEN: Friday, February 15, 2013; 7:00 p.m. WHAT: Armed Services YMCA of Alaska - 36th Annual Salute to the Military WHERE: Egan Civic & Convention Center 555 West 5th Avenue, Anchorage, AK WHEN: S… Continue Reading

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02.15.13

Murkowski Launches "Eielson Closing Argument" Initiative

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Though the Eielson F-16 public hearings around Alaska have concluded, Senator Lisa Murkowski wants every concerned Alaskan to know the comment period doesn't end until March 1st. Unfortunately, the Air Force has not set up any online system for collecting public comments. In an effort to give every concerned Alaskan a direct line to the Pentagon before the deadline, Senator Murkowski today is launching the "Eielson Closing Argument" project to compile viewpoints before deliv… Continue Reading