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.
Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu Holding Kodiak Hearing With Murkowski
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Senate Homeland Security Appropriations subcommittee today announced that - at Senator Lisa Murkowski's request - it will hold a field hearing in Kodiak, Alaska. Next Monday's hearing will focus on the nation's need for a robust United States Coast Guard presence in Alaska as the nation begins to pursue expanding opportunities in northern waters. Senator Murkowski and Chairman of the Homeland Security Appropriations subcommittee Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) will receive … Continue Reading
07.30.12
Murkowski: Alaska’s Mariners Need 21st Century Data
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski welcomed the beginning of the NOAA Fairweather's 30-day mission in the Arctic today, as a crucial step forward in using 21st century technology to map some nautical routes last measured during the Revolutionary War - and collect data on some areas that have never been fully charted for depth levels. "We are living in an age of sophisticated navigational software and significant investments in fisheries, resource development and tourism," said Murkowski… Continue Reading
07.27.12
Murkowski: “Let’s Get Out And Play” for Uncle Ted
A day after remembering the legacy of Senator Ted Stevens on the U.S. Senate floor with her colleagues and the nation (click here to watch), Senator Lisa Murkowski today shared the following thoughts with Alaskans on the eve of Ted Stevens Day: "Happy Ted Stevens Day, Alaska! "Today marks the second year that we have celebrated the memory of Uncle Ted by following his lead and getting out - embracing Alaska's great outdoors on a fantastic July Saturday. "Theodore Fulton Stevens was the Alaska… Continue Reading
07.27.12
“On Hold” - Murkowski Gets Answer on Douglas Post Office Status
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski has received a response from the United States Postal Service with regards to the status of the Douglas Post Office, which - along with four other postal branches in the state - was threatened with possible closure as the USPS attempted to address its multi-billion dollar shortfall. Earlier this year, the USPS made the decision to cut hours at thousands of rural post offices across the country - including dozens in Alaska - but a small number of at-r… Continue Reading
07.27.12
Alaska Delegation Seeks to Fix Excise Tax Issue for Air Taxis
Washington, D.C. - Alaska's Congressional Delegation is working to clarify the excise tax structure for small air taxi operators in Alaska. U.S. Sen. Mark Begich filed a bill yesterday, co-sponsored by Sen. Lisa Murkowski, to help the operators with an inconsistent application of excise taxes by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Rep. Don Young is drafting companion legislation in the House. Several small Alaska air carriers, who have been battling the IRS over the taxes, in some cases for yea… Continue Reading
07.26.12
Murkowski Expresses Frustration with New ECA Regulations
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today spoke on the Senate floor about the Environment Protection Agency's lack of understanding of Alaska with their new Emission Control Area (ECA) requirements. The EPA was a major proponent of including waters off southern and southeastern Alaska in an international ECA, which requires ships to use fuel that meets 1-percent sulfur limits starting Aug. 1. The new requirements tighten to 0.1 percent sulfur content beginning in 2015. Cli… Continue Reading
07.26.12
Murkowski Vows to Press for Comprehensive Energy, Jobs Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today joined Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., and other Senate Republicans, in unveiling comprehensive legislation to expand domestic energy production and provide a shot in the arm to the struggling economy. The Domestic Energy and Jobs Act of 2012, sponsored by Sen. Hoeven, includes 13 measures that would truly establish an "all-of-the-above" energy plan, including congressional approval of the Keystone XL pipeline project and expanded oil and… Continue Reading
07.26.12
Murkowski to President: 2nd Amendment Rights Are Not Negotiable
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today joined a bipartisan coalition of her Senate colleagues to express grave concerns to the Obama Administration about the dangerous potential impacts on Alaskans' Second Amendment rights posed by the proposed United Nations' Arms Trade Treaty. The treaty being negotiated this week in New York City attempts to address "international arms transfers" and purports to crack down on terrorism and rogue regimes, but could threaten the rights of law-abiding … Continue Reading
07.25.12
Murkowski: Tax Hike Would Cost Alaska 1,800 Jobs
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today cast her vote to protect the nation's struggling economy and not threaten 700,000 jobs nationwide. In back-to-back votes, she voted to extend the 2001/2003 tax cuts for one more year, and voted against raising taxes for some Americans, increase capital gains and dividend rates, and hike estate taxes from 35% to 55%, impacting many family-run businesses. She shared the following thoughts after the vote: (Click image to watch) "Today I joined … Continue Reading
07.25.12
Senators Introduce Bipartisan Legislation Expanding Offshore Leasing
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today introduced bipartisan legislation to expand American offshore energy production with a revised five-year leasing plan and provide revenue sharing to all participating coastal states. The Offshore Petroleum Expansion Now Act of 2012 - OPEN Act - is co-sponsored by Sens. Jim Webb, D-Va.; Mark Warner, D-Va.; Mary Landrieu, D-La.; John Hoeven, R-N.D.; Jim Inhofe, R-Okla. The bill provides a common-sense alternative to the president's pro… Continue Reading
07.25.12
Murkowski Pushes Administration for Follow Through, More Rural Doctors
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today urged Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius to enforce existing law on rural medical training - and create an environment that will boost rural medicine nationwide. The Senator wrote a letter with Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) - co-signed by a bipartisan group of 18 other Senate colleagues - that was sent to the HHS Secretary. Congress passed a bill in 1999 that included a provision called the Rural Training Trac… Continue Reading
07.25.12
Murkowski Calls for Action on Critical Minerals Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - What do 450,000 scientists plus thousands of miners and manufacturers have in common? They all want the "Critical Minerals Policy Act" (S.1113) enacted. Today, U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, again called for a markup of the "Critical Minerals Policy Act" after receiving a letter from a broad coalition of stakeholders supporting of the legislation. "Critical minerals make it possible for us to innovate and invent - and in the process they shape our daily lives, our stand… Continue Reading
07.24.12
Murkowski Lauds Skagway Post Office Hire
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today was informed by the United States Postal Service that a new staff member has been hired for the Skagway Post Office. She welcomed the news, coming less than two months since she visited Skagway and encouraged Skagwegians to share their stories and concerns about the Postal Service to seek reinforcements for the then under-staffed facility. "The situation in Skagway was unacceptable for all parties involved, and this is the first step in getting t… Continue Reading
07.24.12
Murkowski Comment on Expanding Natural Gas Use in Vehicles
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today spoke about the potential benefits of increasing the use of natural gas in the transportation sector, as well as the danger that government intrusion in the marketplace could jeopardize continued increases in natural gas production. Click photo to play video "Our interest today is in hearing about both the existing federal barriers but also in what federal policies threaten the ability of entrepreneurs and innovators to compete i… Continue Reading
07.20.12
Murkowski Condemns Shooting in Colorado
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski released the following statement regarding the shooting at an Aurora, Colorado movie theater last night: "I join all Alaskans in mourning the needless, senseless loss of life in Aurora, Colorado - who did nothing different from millions of Americans every weekend. We salute the first responders who came to the aid of those injured and those who quickly apprehended the man behind this. Alaskans and Americans are united in thought, prayer and support f… Continue Reading
07.19.12
Murkowski Urges Greater Tribal Consultation from Administration
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski reminded the Environmental Protection Agency that federal consultation with Alaska Native Tribes is not optional, as she pressed the EPA for greater collaboration with Alaska's First People in a Senate Committee on Indian Affairs hearing today. She also took the opportunity of the hearing to share the rising threat of coastal erosion being faced by numerous small Alaskan coastal villages. Senator Murkowski questioned the EPA representative about the ag… Continue Reading
07.18.12
Murkowski Gets Transparency Pledge from Next USAF Chief of Staff
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today met with General Mark Welsh III, recently nominated to be the next Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force. Over the course of the meeting, Welsh agreed with Murkowski that recent developments in Alaska have created a level of tension - committing to a higher level of transparency and collaboration. Senator Murkowski said Alaska's relationship with the military remains strong, and looks forward to working with him. In a meeting held at Senator Murk… Continue Reading
07.17.12
Murkowski: Campaign Finance Tranparency “Critically Important”
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today took to the Senate floor as the United States Senate considered proceeding onto the DISCLOSE Act, legislation that would require a greater degree of disclosure when it comes to sums donated to political causes. In a speech prior to the vote, the Senator noted she is very concerned about the rising influence of SuperPACs, but that the bill contained too many inconsistencies to support. Senator Murkowski closed by pledging to address this issue on a… Continue Reading
07.17.12
Murkowski: SECURE IT Act Offers Best Path Forward on Cybersecurity
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today reiterated her support for the Strengthening and Enhancing Cybersecurity by Using Research, Education, Information, and Technology Act (SECURE IT), S. 3342, to protect and secure the United States against cybersecurity attacks. "I think there's near agreement that we need a comprehensive approach to the cybersecurity problem. Some would have us believe that only the Department of Homeland Security and a host of new federal regulatio… Continue Reading
07.16.12
Murkowski Demands Missing Report on Stimulus Jobs in Indian Country
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senator Lisa Murkowski wrote to Department of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar regarding the DOI's failure to issue the American Indian Population and Labor Report as required by law. In a letter (attached) sent from Murkowski and her colleague on the Senate Indian Affairs Committee Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), they criticize the DOI for failing to release vital labor information which will help Congress, Alaska Natives and Indian tribes evaluate employment conditions i… Continue Reading