Press Releases
Media Requests: Members of the media can contact the press office by emailing hannah_ray@murkowski.senate.gov or by calling 202-224-6665 and asking for the press office.
Murkowski Welcomes News on Prosecutorial Misconduct Report
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. District Court Judge Emmet Sullivan ordered the March 15th release of the investigation he ordered into prosecutorial misconduct during the trial of Senator Ted Stevens - a report that he said in November showed "systematic concealment of significant exculpatory evidence." Senator Murkowski had the following reaction to the news: "The legacy of the Stevens trial - not just in Alaska, but nationwide - has become bigger than one man; it's become a national example of abus… Continue Reading
02.07.12
Murkowski Fights for Religious Freedom from Health Care Mandate
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today co-sponsored S. 2043, The Religious Freedom Restoration Act that would halt the recent Obama Administration directive that some religiously-affiliated institutions will be required to defy their belief systems when providing some health care services for current employees. "Religious freedoms are a large part of what makes this country great," Murkowski said. "This is a Catholic issue as well as a concern for every Baptist, Jew, Muslim or anyone… Continue Reading
02.07.12
Alaska Senators Ask Panetta to Explain, Reconsider F-16 Decision
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Mark Begich (D-Alaska) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) today sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta expressing their concern over an Air Force proposal to move the 18th Aggressor Squadron at Eielson Air Force Base in Fairbanks to Joint Base-Elmendorf Richardson in Anchorage. In a joint letter to Sec. Panetta, the Senators point out nothing has changed since a similar proposal was rejected in 2005 by the independent Defense Base Closure and Realignment… Continue Reading
02.07.12
Alaskan’s Story Wins National Job Corps Gold, Scholarship
Senator Lisa Murkowski today congratulated Wasilla resident Megan Dauphinee after her first-prize finish in the 2012 National Job Corps Student Oratory Competition this morning. Participants shared their life stories, and Dauphinee told how her professional aspirations were boosted by Job Corps after a difficult childhood - winning a $1,500 scholarship along with the recognition before a crowd of 300. (Photo courtesy: Office of Senator Murkowski) (Photo courtesy: R… Continue Reading
02.07.12
Murkowski Addresses NARUC at Winter Meeting
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today gave the following remarks at the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners' (NARUC) winter meeting: "Good morning and thank you for the opportunity to initiate your Capitol Hill Update. It is a pleasure to be with such a large group of distinguished public officials and industry leaders - and an honor to be your 'lead-off batter' this morning. I am grateful to Commissioner David Wright for the invitation and for his … Continue Reading
02.06.12
Murkowski Votes to Have Essential Air Service Funded Through 2015
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski today voted for the first FAA reauthorization since 2007 - after a series of 23 short-term extensions - giving needed certainty to Alaska's aviation industry and a 21st century infrastructure to the nation's airways. The FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 passed the Senate 75-20. "I'm always stressing to my Senate colleagues that Alaska's intrastate highway system is our skies - linking communities like Nikolski and Icy Bay to the rural hubs - so it… Continue Reading
02.06.12
Murkowski, Begich File Legislation Prohibiting F-16 Move
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Murkowski and Begich today introduced legislation (attached) in the U.S. Senate that would expressly bar the United States Air Force from planning or executing the relocation of F-16s from Eielson Air Force Base to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson - and requires that just as many, if not more, F-16s are based at Eielson this September. Alaska's entire Congressional Delegation will be sitting down with U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff General Norton Schwartz on Thursday,… Continue Reading
02.03.12
Murkowski, Begich Fighting F-16 Aggressor Squadron Move from Eielson to Elmendorf, 4 C-130 Retirements at Elmendorf
Senators Murkowski and Begich today issued a united set of statements opposing the Department of Defense's plans to relocate the F-16 Aggressor squadron from Eielson Air Force Base to Elmendorf Air Force Base and retire four C-130 transport aircraft at Elmendorf - as part of a nationwide Pentagon budget reduction strategy. When the Senate returns to session on Monday, Murkowski and Begich will introduce legislation that would prohibit the Air Force from making these moves. Senator Lisa Murk… Continue Reading
02.03.12
Begich, Murkowski Join Call for Tax Fairness
Washington, D.C. - In an effort to provide fairness to residents of states without an income tax, U.S. Senators Mark Begich (D-Alaska) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) are joining a call to make extending the state and local sales tax deduction a top priority on Capitol Hill. The deduction, which expired at the end of 2011, gives tax fairness to residents of eight states without an income tax. "As a tax extenders package is considered in the Senate, we urge you to ensure that our constituents are… Continue Reading
02.02.12
Alaska Delegation Appreciates Kenai Peninsula Borough Disaster Declaration
Washington, D.C. - Alaska's Congressional Delegation is pleased to see action just two weeks after they supported Governor Parnell's request that a disaster declaration be issued for the storm-afflicted Kenai Peninsula Borough. On January 19th, the delegation urged the White House to "act on the request expeditiously" and disburse funds - and today the White House released the following information: On February 2, 2012, President Obama issued a major disaster declaration for the State… Continue Reading
02.02.12
Co-Sponsor Murkowski Lauds Passage of Insider Trading Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski today voted for the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act of 2012 (the STOCK Act), which she co-sponsored. The legislation - which passed the U.S. Senate by an overwhelming 96-3 vote - would expressly prohibit elected officials and staffers from using nonpublic information they come across in their work for their own benefit. "This legislation is an important step as Congress attempts to rebuild and regain some of the trust that voters have lost with … Continue Reading
02.02.12
Banking Committee Approves Section Two of Murkowski Iran Certification and Reporting Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today applauded Sen. Robert Menendez, D-NJ, and the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee for passing a portion of her legislation requiring a report to be regularly made to Congress describing the movements of both crude oil and refined petroleum products to and from Iran, as well as the entities that are financing these transactions, providing the necessary shipping and insurances, or helping Iran invest in their petroleum in… Continue Reading
02.02.12
Murkowski, Manchin Introduce Bill to Protect Hunting Rights on Federal Lands
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Joe Manchin, D-West Virginia, today introduced legislation to ensure the rights of recreational hunters, fishermen and shooters on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service lands. "Instead of further empowering federal officials, this bill will mandate cooperation by federal agencies with state fish and wildlife agencies regarding resident wildlife on BLM and Forest Service lands," Senator Murkowski said. "Our bill prese… Continue Reading
02.02.12
Sen. Murkowski’s Opening Statement on Nuclear Fuel Storage Report
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, issued the following opening statement at today's Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on President Obama's Blue Ribbon Commission's report on what to do about America's spent nuclear fuel: "The issue of nuclear waste management has been frustrating Congress, multiple administrations, utilities, and rate payers for many decades now. Efforts to address it through the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 and the 1987 Amendments … Continue Reading
02.02.12
Bipartisan Bill Would Prevent Companies from Evading Iran Sanctions
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-AK, and Maria Cantwell, D-WA, on Wednesday introduced legislation that would bar companies who engage in business or trading activity with Iran from buying oil from America's Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). The measure, cosponsored by 14 other Senators, also calls for the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to expose sanction violators. "Tough sanctions are one of the most effective policy instruments we have to prevent Iran from becom… Continue Reading
01.30.12
Murkowski Backs Insider Trading Ban
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski today voted to begin Senate debate on the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act of 2012, or the STOCK Act. The legislation would expressly prohibit elected officials and staffers from using nonpublic information they come across in their work for their own benefit - and Senator Murkowski plans on co-sponsoring it as it moves forward. "This bill raises the bar when it comes to financial behavior, and adds additional teeth to our ethics standards," sai… Continue Reading
01.30.12
Sen. Murkowski Commits to Getting Alaska’s Natural Gas to Market
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, appeared on the energy news program Platts Energy Week on Sunday to discuss the energy agenda President Obama laid out in his State of the Union speech last week. During the interview, Murkowski expressed her commitment to moving Alaska's "enormous amounts of conventional national gas" to market. "I am committed to moving Alaska's natural gas to market. Our market may not be in the Lower 48. It may be an export market," Murkowski said. "I… Continue Reading
01.30.12
Murkowski Welcomes Introduction of Keystone XL Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today welcomed the introduction of bipartisan legislation that would have Congress authorize construction of the Keystone XL pipeline project under Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution, which gives Congress authority over commerce with foreign states. The bill (S.2041) was introduced today by Sens. John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Richard Lugar (R-Ind.), and David Vitter (R-La.). Murkowski is among the bipartisan group of 44 cosponsors of the … Continue Reading
01.27.12
Murkowski Receives Inaugural Technology Neutrality Award
WASHINGTON, D.C. - This week, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, was honored by the U.S. Coalition for Advanced Diesel Cars as the inaugural Champion for Technology Neutrality. The award recognizes leaders who support outcome-based federal automotive policy that fosters innovation and achieves real-world results. "I'm honored to receive this award," Murkowski said. "Improving fuel efficiency is an important cause, and I strongly believe we must remain open to explore all of the options availabl… Continue Reading
01.26.12
Alaska Delegation & Governor Parnell Stand Together - Oppose BRAC
The Alaska Congressional Delegation and Alaska Governor Sean Parnell issued a united set of statements defending Alaska's military bases and expressing their importance to military operations and national security. The show of support follows an announcement from Defense Secretary Leon Panetta to seek two new rounds of Base Closure and Realignment Commissions (BRAC). The last round of BRAC took place in 2005 and changes were completed in fall of 2011. Alaska's military constitutes more than 13 … Continue Reading
