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.
Delegation Introduces Legislation to Support Alaska Native Subsistence Whaling Efforts
The Alaska Congressional delegation introduced legislation in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to ensure timely issuance by the Department of Commerce of catch limits for aboriginal subsistence hunting of bowhead whales by Alaska Native whalers who live in 11 Alaska communities. The companion bills would require the Secretary of Commerce to set catch limits for bowhead whales and issue aboriginal subsistence whaling permits under the Whaling Convention Act if the International Whali… Continue Reading
06.04.12
Murkowski: Skagway Postal Situation “Intolerable” and “Unacceptable”
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today sent a letter to Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe, directing the United States Postal Service to do more to fill the 3 vacant positions at the Skagway Post Office - after hearing near-unanimous public concern during her recent trip to Skagway. "During my visit to Skagway, Alaska last week I learned that the lack of staff at the post office has had an intolerable impact on nearly everyone in the town, including your Postal Service employees," M… Continue Reading
06.04.12
Murkowski Committee Work Brings Alaska Natives Health Benefits
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Less than two weeks after a personal visit with Indian Health Service (I.H.S.) Director Dr. Yvette Roubideaux, Senator Murkowski has been notified that $6 million in unobligated national I.H.S. funds will be directed to staff new hires at several Alaska Tribal Health organizations. The Interior Appropriations Subcommittee - where Senator Murkowski serves as the ranking Republican member - has jurisdiction over I.H.S. operations and priorities. "Alaska's Tribal Health organiz… Continue Reading
06.03.12
Murkowski Visits Shell’s Arctic Drilling Vessel in Seattle Shipyard
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today toured the Kulluk drilling vessel in Seattle. Shell plans to use the Kulluk this summer to explore for oil and natural gas in Alaska's Beaufort Sea. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (second from right) and Shell Alaska Vice President Pete Slaiby (right) tour Shell's ice-class drill ship, the Kulluk, in Seattle on Sunday. "It's inspiring to see the Kulluk up close and know that it's on the verge of opening a new era of Arctic exploration … Continue Reading
05.31.12
Murkowski on Site Survey Report: “Significant Questions Remain; Today Created More”
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today learned the results of the United States Air Force Site Activation Task Force (SATAF) report surrounding the proposal to move the F-16 Aggressor Squadron from Eielson Air Force Base. She had the following response to the preliminary findings: "The United States Air Force told Alaskans in January that their proposal to move the F-16s to JBER was based on a tabletop exercise. Today's report from their research team suggests that tabletop is broke… Continue Reading
05.29.12
Murkowski: U.S. Air Force “Inconsistent,” Urges Alaska as KC-46 Home
Senator Lisa Murkowski continued promoting the importance of Eielson Air Force Base and Alaska through a letter to the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force - expressing concern that the Pentagon presently does not plan to base a KC-46 aerial refueler unit in Alaska. In the letter (attached), Murkowski suggests that not leveraging Alaska's unique geographic advantages contradicts the Secretary of Defense's new strategic vision focusing on the Asia Pacific theater. Murkows… Continue Reading
05.27.12
Murkowski Shares Memorial Day Message with Alaskans
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today offered the following statement in observance of Memorial Day. (Click picture to view Senator Murkowski's message.) "Memorial Day Weekend means so much to us in Alaska - for so many of us, it means sunlight nearly all day, the unofficial beginning of summer, and enjoying the great outdoors. "But let us never forget the deep, true meaning of this day for us: It means the payment of respect, memories, time and energy to the sacrifices of men… Continue Reading
05.25.12
Murkowski Still Waiting on Full Bill Allen Explanation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski received a response to her November 2011 demand that a Department of Justice Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) independent investigation be done regarding the decision not to prosecute Bill Allen over allegations he transported underage women across state lines for immoral and exploitive purposes - but is still waiting for a better explanation. The Department of Justice decided against pursuing Mann Act charges against Allen, while also directi… Continue Reading
05.25.12
Murkowski's "Veteran Spotlight" Debuts, Honors Alaskans Who Served
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today released her first "Veteran Spotlight" interview - featuring the stories and observations of Alaskan veteran Harold Bahr. Bahr began serving in the Alaska Territorial Guard (ATG) in Nome, Alaska during World War II in 1942 when he was just eleven years old. ATG members were often men too old or boys too young to be drafted, who volunteered to be the first line of defense for Alaska. In his Veteran Spotlight interview, Harold recalls sitting in h… Continue Reading
05.24.12
Murkowski Statement on Stevens Prosecutors’ Suspensions
The Department of Justice Office of Professional Responsibility today announced the suspension of two members of the prosecution team that worked on the ethics case against Senator Ted Stevens - a case vacated within months of the verdict due to prosecutorial misconduct. Joseph Bottini and James Goeke were found to have engaged in reckless and unintentional professional misconduct and will be suspended without pay for 40 and 15 days, respectively. Senator Murkowski had the following reaction t… Continue Reading
05.24.12
Murkowski Pledges Continued Fight Against Frankenfish After Senate Vote
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski's amendment to require comprehensive analysis before genetically-engineered salmon enters the American marketplace was voted upon in the U.S. Senate today. The measure barely failed to pass (46 yes votes, 50 no votes against), and the Senator noted afterwards that the numbers are trending towards a greater wariness of the risks and potentially dangerous consequences involved - along with the thousands of Alaskan and American jobs lost in the process. T… Continue Reading
05.23.12
Murkowski on Senate Floor: “Don’t Mess With Mother Nature,” Frankenfish
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today took to the U.S. Senate floor and called on her colleagues to support her amendment to the Food and Drug Administration Reauthorization Bill that would require the same comprehensive scientific and economic analysis be done by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on genetically modified salmon as is done for any other federal fishery. In a speech during floor debate of the FDA bill, Senator Murkowski laid out the case against Franke… Continue Reading
05.23.12
Murkowski: Will F-16 Proposal Diminish the 168th Refueling Wing’s Capabilities?
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski today continued to question the broader implications of the proposed F-16 Aggressor squadron move from Eielson Air Force Base to Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson, by asking the Air National Guard Director whether the United States Air Force's proposal would undercut the 168th Air Refueling Wing's ability to fulfill its mission. If the proposal moves forward, the 168th would reduce its current continuous operations to "effectively, a 12 hour/day, 5 day/week sc… Continue Reading
05.22.12
Murkowski Fights TSA Fee Hike on Alaska Flyers
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski secured a number of provisions in the FY2013 Homeland Security and Military Construction/Veterans Affairs appropriations bills that mean a stronger Alaska military commitment to veterans, active duty personnel and the communities that rely on various agencies for their protection. But she had sharp words against a fee increase that would double the TSA security fees for many Alaskans. During the Senate Appropriations Committee "mark up" session - where… Continue Reading
05.22.12
Murkowski Promotes Alaskan Natural Gas to Ambassadors
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, yesterday pitched the U.S. ambassadors of Japan and South Korea on the benefits of importing natural gas from Alaska's North Slope during a dinner at the Japanese Ambassador's residence in Washington, D.C. Murkowski discussed Alaska's resource base and proximity to Asia with Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki of Japan and Ambassador Choi Young-jin of South Korea. Murkowski said the ambassadors showed interest in the potential for an Alaska natural… Continue Reading
05.22.12
Sen. Murkowski’s Comments on Energy Innovation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today gave the following remarks at a Senate Energy and Natural Resources hearing on a report produced by the American Energy Innovation Council entitled "Catalyzing American Ingenuity: The Role of Government in Energy Innovation." (Click picture for video) "Good morning, Mr. Chairman. I'd like to thank you for scheduling this hearing, and extend a warm welcome to our witnesses. "Mr. Augustine's work on a report about competitive… Continue Reading
05.21.12
Murkowski Meets With U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff, Stresses Questions Remain on F-16s
WASHINGTON, D.C. -Senator Lisa Murkowski today sat down with United States Air Force Chief of Staff General Norton Schwartz and bore down on the proposed move of the F-16 Aggressor Squadron from Eielson Air Force Base to Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson. During their conversation, General Schwartz noted that Eielson remains important to the military due to the Administration's focus on the Asia-Pacific region and acknowledged that variables remain in the Air Force's proposal to move the F-16 Agg… Continue Reading
05.21.12
Murkowski to Kick Off Summer by Reading to Alaskan Children
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski will read to children at libraries across Alaska via video-teleconference from her Washington, D.C. office later this week, in an effort to promote good reading habits even when school is not in session. She has chosen the book "Ten Rowdy Ravens" by Susan Ewing. To showcase the Alaska library system's "Online with Libraries" (OWL System), the Kenai Community Library invited Senator Murkowski to read to children during their lunchtime on Wednesday, May 23, … Continue Reading
05.21.12
Murkowski Comment on NRC Chairman Jaczko’s Resignation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following reaction to Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Chairman Gregory Jaczko's resignation. "Chairman Jaczko's resignation is essential to restoring the NRC's reputation and effectiveness. Given the Inspector General's previous findings, the unprecedented letter of concern about his management style and treatment of career employees by the entire bipartisan commission, and the fact that a second report from the Insp… Continue Reading
05.18.12
Sen. Murkowski Comment on EPA Watershed Study
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today commented on the Environmental Protection Agency's watershed assessment of Alaska's Bristol Bay area, and her communication with EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson on the issue. "I have consistently been clear about two things concerning the Pebble project: I will not trade fish for gold, but I oppose a preemptive veto prior to proper evaluation of an application and actual project description. I want to see the NEPA process work as it is… Continue Reading
