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: Storis Designation Should Be Its “Ticket Home to Alaska”
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Lisa Murkowski today commended the National Park Service's decision to designate the United States Coast Guard Cutter Storis on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, supporting her October push to raise the ship's prominence. The Senator also believes today's announcement should send a clear signal that the vessel that contributed so much to Alaska's development - including delivering supplies during the construction of the Trans-Alaska pipeline - should return… Continue Reading
01.11.13
Alaskan Senators, Coastal Coalition Push to Extend Frankenfish Comment Period
WASHINGTON, DC - Alaska's Senate delegation today reached out to the Food and Drug Administration, advocating that the federal agency extend the 60-day comment period on an Environmental Assessment (EA) of genetically engineered salmon an additional 60 days, given the holiday season timing of its announcement, the current Senate transition period and the economic importance of the issue to Alaska. Strengthening their case, they were joined by Senators from Oregon, Washington and Maryland in push… Continue Reading
01.11.13
Sen. Murkowski Welcomes Court Ruling Vacating Polar Bear Critical Habitat
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today applauded a ruling by a federal court vacating the designation of 187,000-square miles of Alaska's North Slope as critical habitat for polar bears by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "The court made the right decision today," Murkowski said. "The government clearly overreached in designating such a large swath of Alaska - an area larger than the size of California -as critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act. The only real… Continue Reading
01.10.13
Murkowski Succeeds in Continuing Federal Loan Policy for Homes with Cisterns
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Lisa Murkowski was glad to receive word today from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development program that they will take Murkowski's suggestion to provide a waiver to Alaska for homes with water catchment systems. Up until last year, the USDA had offered waivers just as the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), but changed its policy while HUD continued - curbing the lending market in Alaska for low to moderate income borrowers purchasing homes … Continue Reading
01.09.13
Murkowski Welcomes Return of VA Secretary Shinseki for President’s 2nd Term
WASHINGTON, DC - As the Obama administration announces wide-ranging personnel changes, Senator Lisa Murkowski today said she is glad to hear that Veterans Affairs Secretary General Eric Shinseki will be returning for the President's second term. Senator Murkowski sent a letter to the White House immediately after President Obama was re-elected, praising the General's work for Alaska and the tremendous improvements seen in recent years under his leadership for the state's veterans - urging the P… Continue Reading
01.04.13
Murkowski Welcomes Record Number of Women Senators
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Lisa Murkowski today welcomed the beginning of the 113th Congress and the record twenty women Senators who will work together to deliver results for their constituents and the nation. In a nationally-televised interview airing this evening, Senator Murkowski shares her focus on Alaska's concerns with ABC World News Tonight's Diane Sawyer, and explains how the women of the Senate often collaborate without egos - encouraging young Americans to step outside of their "comfo… Continue Reading
01.03.13
Murkowski Retains Committee Assignments
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced she will continue the momentum she has built for Alaska in the 113th Congress, maintaining her assignments to the Energy and Natural Resources, Appropriations, Indian Affairs, and Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committees - all key positions for Alaska's unique needs. "These Senate Committee assignments I've been privileged to have represent a critical intersection of Alaska's policy concerns. I thank the Senate Republican Leadershi… Continue Reading
01.01.13
Murkowski Votes to Protect 366,000 Alaskan Households from Tax Hike
WASHINGTON, DC - With taxes on every Alaskan taxpayer scheduled to rise at the beginning of 2013, Senator Murkowski today voted for H.R. 8 that would avoid a tax hike on Alaskans who make less than $400,000 or families making less than $450,000, along with staving off across-the-board sequestration cuts in federal programs for 2 months - in an attempt to avoid the so-called "fiscal cliff." The bill passed by a vote of 89-8 with overwhelming, bipartisan support. Senator Murkowski issued the fol… Continue Reading
12.28.12
Murkowski Votes for Alaska’s Fisheries, Coastal Relief
As Alaskans continue to grapple with the hardships from recent disasters - fisheries shortfalls and tsunami debris washing ashore - Senator Murkowski today voted in support of the Supplemental Appropriations Bill H.R. 1 that will provide a financial response to federally-recognized disasters across the country, from Alaskan fisheries to East Coast communities still reeling from Hurricane Sandy. However, when spending was proposed that did not serve the purpose of relief or response - whether f… Continue Reading
12.28.12
Murkowski Votes For Greater Scrutiny of Government Surveillance
Senator Lisa Murkowski today voted against final passage of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Authorization (FISA) Extension bill H.R. 5949, which would extend for five years the ability of federal intelligence agencies to engage in warrantless wiretapping practices. Murkowski's long-standing and deep-seated concerns about unchecked government encroachment have gained urgency lately, with the possibility of U.S. citizens being wiretapped during surveillance of international calls. Despite … Continue Reading
12.27.12
Murkowski and Wyden Unveil Bipartisan Campaign Finance Disclosure Blueprint
Senator Lisa Murkowski today unveiled a blueprint for campaign finance disclosure reform she drafted with her colleague Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR). In an opinion piece that will be featured in the Washington Post print edition tomorrow morning, Murkowski makes the point that the rest of the nation would be better served by following Alaska's example - which has been lauded by watchdogs nationwide for the high bar it raises for real-time transparency. Wyden and Murkowski's plan (attached below) … Continue Reading
12.21.12
Murkowski Concerned by “Troubling” FDA Advancement on Frankenfish
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Lisa Murkowski today responded to the Food and Drug Administration [FDA] environmental assessment decision to move forward into the public comment period on genetically-modified fish against her warnings and those of hundreds of watchdogs: (Murkowski: FDA ignoring the opposition of fishing groups, 300 organizations.) "I am concerned with the recent news that FDA is moving forward with the approval of genetically modified fish. This is especially troubling as the age… Continue Reading
12.21.12
Murkowski Eielson Delay Emerges in Final Defense Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski was proud to vote for the final version of the National Defense Authorization Act that includes numerous priorities she advocated for to support Alaska's military servicemen and communities - most notably, the added time she pushed for blocking any equipment or aircraft movement nationwide until 2014 from an Air Force Commission's findings. The final "Conference Report" - the product of both House of Representatives and Senate negotiators - also include… Continue Reading
12.21.12
Murkowski Responds to John Kerry’s Nomination for Secretary of State
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Lisa Murkowski today responded to President Barack Obama's nomination of Senator John Kerry to be the next Secretary of State with the following statement: "The global picture as we look to 2013 is tremendously complicated, and I know Senator John Kerry has a deep understanding of all the variables at play right now in the most unstable areas. Anyone who has worked with Senator Kerry knows his hard work ethic and his expertise on foreign relations. His solid understand… Continue Reading
12.21.12
Murkowski Proud to Modernize NOAA Officers Program
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Lisa Murkowski is proud the bipartisan bill she co-sponsored, S. 2388, the NOAA Commissioned Officers Corps Amendment Act, passed the United States Senate unanimously tonight - assuring that present and future NOAA Corps members operating ships and aircraft receive the same benefits and conditions granted to those who serve in the other six uniformed service of the United States. "The men and women who make up the NOAA Corps are our eyes and ears on Alaska's key front… Continue Reading
12.21.12
Murkowski: Maniilaq Land Transfer Means Health Care Gains in Kotzebue
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Lisa Murkowski today was proud to see her U.S. Senate colleagues unanimously approve HR 443, which transfers the deed for several acres of property in Kotzebue from the Indian Health Service (I.H.S.) to the Maniilaq Association and gives them "unencumbered ownership" so they can fully develop and expand their health care facilities autonomously. The bill passed includes Senator Murkowski's substitute amendment, which strengthens the bill's ability to deliver on its prom… Continue Reading
12.20.12
Murkowski to Akaka: We Work in the ‘Aloha Spirit’
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Lisa Murkowski today took to the United States Senate floor to compliment and honor the departing Hawaiian Senator Daniel Akaka (D-HI), standing 20 feet away from her friend and colleague to thank him, express her appreciation - and give him a hug afterwards. (Senator Murkowski discusses the Hawaii/Alaska connection. CLICK to watch.) "As neighbors in the Pacific, Hawaii and Alaska have always shared a special bond, not only because of our geography, not only because… Continue Reading
12.19.12
Murkowski: Benghazi Investigation “Confirms My Worst Concerns”
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Lisa Murkowski today responded to an independent review of the September attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, that finds the security there to have been grossly inadequate in addition to systemic failures in communication and leadership - and which has led to the resignation of three State Department officials: "The release of today's independent investigation into the September 11th attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya unfortunately confirms my … Continue Reading
12.19.12
Senator Murkowski Announces 2013 Service Academy Nominations
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today proudly announced the names of 33 Alaska high school seniors she is nominating for appointment to the U.S. military service academies for the class of 2017. "This year's group of highly motivated men and women embody the strength of character and depth of knowledge we expect to see in our future leaders - both in the armed forces and in our communities," Murkowski said. "Each and every year, I am honored to nominate such accomplished Alaskans to o… Continue Reading
12.18.12
Murkowski Pays Tribute to “Alaska’s Third Senator” Daniel Inouye
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Lisa Murkowski today spoke on the United States Senate floor, paying her respects to longtime Hawaiian Senator and legendary lawmaker Daniel K. Inouye on behalf of Alaskans who feel as if they've lost a member of the family - saying of his legacy that "a big tree has fallen" and "He never let us down." If you would like to watch the speech in its entirety, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUjtY7TAa2M&feature=youtu.be Below are three selected excerpts, c… Continue Reading