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 Brings “Choose Respect” Movement to Senate Floor
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski took to the U.S. Senate floor today and shared the "Choose Respect" message with her Senate colleagues and all those watching proceedings from the gallery. Immediately following the Choose Respect rally outside the U.S. Capitol, Murkowski spent a few moments telling the Senate and the national viewing audience about the fight that all Alaskans are engaged in against domestic abuse and sexual assault. (Click box to watch) An excerpt from her floor… Continue Reading
03.29.12
Alaska Delegation Chooses Respect at Capitol Hill Rally
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski joined with Senator Mark Begich and Representative Don Young today in a show of support for Governor Parnell's "Choose Respect" initiative. The delegation participated in a rally at the U.S. Capitol, to stand together with all Alaskans to march against the plague of domestic violence and sexual assault that harms Alaska. (Click photo for video of remarks: click here for b-roll of event) "We stand together with Governor Parnell as a nationwide net… Continue Reading
03.29.12
Alaska Delegation Introduces Legislation Naming Juneau Courthouse Facilities
The Alaska Congressional Delegation, looking to honor his many years of service and dedication to the state of Alaska, has introduced legislation to name the federal courthouse facilities in the Juneau Federal Building after the late Judge Robert Boochever. Judge Boochever moved to and began his service to Alaska in 1946 first as an assistant U.S. attorney and later as the fourth Chief Justice of the Alaska Supreme Court. In 1980, Judge Boochever became the first Alaskan to serve on the Federal… Continue Reading
03.29.12
Murkowski to Hold Break-Up Forecast Roundtable
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced she is holding a roundtable discussion with state and federal authorities next Thursday in Anchorage - that will be livestreamed to all Alaskan communities - on the upcoming spring thaw and potential flood risks in Alaska. "Alaska has seen a historic winter of snowfall," said Murkowski. "But after the snow piles peak and before the water levels increase, Alaskans' concerns and anxieties rise about the break-up and flood season ahead. I … Continue Reading
03.29.12
Murkowski: Addressing Rising Gasoline Prices is National Imperative
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, made the following opening statement at today's hearing on gasoline price trends: "It's true that many factors are driving up fuel costs for Americans. Some are beyond the control of the President and the Congress. But others, we can influence. We can influence pipeline capacity, by approving them on a timely basis. We can influence whether refineries stay in busines… Continue Reading
03.28.12
Murkowski Offers ANWR, Permitting Amendments to Energy Tax Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today expressed her frustration over the inability to vote on amendments to the Repeal Big Oil Tax Subsidies bill due to the Senate Majority Leader blocking all Republican amendments. "This is the only energy bill that's been up for debate on the Senate floor this Congress and instead of having a real discussion about policy, Democrats are engaged in a political messaging exercise," Murkowski said. "Republicans introduced 32 energy amendme… Continue Reading
03.28.12
Murkowski Drills Down on Eielson Savings Claim
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today pressed United States Air Force officials about the methods and reasoning being relied upon in its proposal to move the F-16 Aggressor Squadron from Eielson Air Force Base to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. During a hearing of the Senate Military Construction Appropriations Subcommittee, Murkowski asked what data has changed since the Pentagon's attempted BRAC of Eielson in 2005 and received assurance that the USAF will take a "broader look" than… Continue Reading
03.28.12
Approval of Spill Response Plan Moves Shell Closer to Exploration
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, today congratulated the Obama administration for its approval of Shell's spill response plan for Alaska's Beaufort Sea. "Today's approval by Interior marks one of the last major hurdles that Shell must overcome to explore for oil in Alaska's northern waters this summer," Murkowski said. "This is good news for Alaska and the nation, which needs the energy, jobs and econ… Continue Reading
03.28.12
Murkowski: Stevens Trial Among Justice Department’s “Darkest Moments”
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today submitted a statement for the record (attached in its entirety) in a hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee focused on the independent investigator Henry Schuelke's report on the prosecutorial misconduct surrounding the trial of Senator Ted Stevens. Senator Murkowski addressed the misconduct of the Department of Justice prosecution team, her recent legislation that would attempt to eliminate future unethical prosecutions - and the lingering qu… Continue Reading
03.27.12
Murkowski: Raising Taxes on Oil Producers Will Not Lower Gas Prices
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today took to the Senate floor to speak in favor of decreasing America's dependence on OPEC imports by increasing domestic oil production. Murkowski made her comments during debate over legislation offered by Democrats to increase taxes on American oil producers by about $2 billion a year. The full text of her speech is below. (Click video to watch speech) "I rise in opposition to the proposal to raise taxes on American energy com… Continue Reading
03.27.12
Murkowski: Is Air Force "Going Around" BRAC Laws?
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today continued searching for answers to lingering questions surrounding the proposed move of the F-16 Aggressor squadron from Eielson Air Force Base in Fairbanks to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, and the United States Air Force's announced plan to reduce personnel at Eielson by 50 percent in coming years. Murkowski pursued her line of questioning from both ends of the envisioned move - pressing the military on the legitimacy of the Eiels… Continue Reading
03.27.12
Murkowski Comment on EPA New Source Performance Standards for CO2 Emissions from Power Plants
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following comment on the release of draft climate regulations by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). "While I am still reviewing the full rule, it's clear that the administration has decided to try to outlaw coal - one of America's most abundant, affordable and secure energy resources," Murkowski said. "The administration is using this new rule to accomplish what Congress refused to impose on the economy when it reje… Continue Reading
03.26.12
Murkowski Holding Alaska National Parks Roundtable
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Sen. Lisa Murkowski will hold a roundtable panel discussion on expanding economic growth and employment opportunities in and around Alaska's National Parks. The event will be held Tuesday, April 3 at 2:00PM, at the University of Alaska Anchorage. The roundtable will look at opportunities to improve coordination and cooperation between federal agencies and local residents; ANILCA local hire issues; the Denali National Park and Preserve Park Road Vehicle Management Plan; the K… Continue Reading
03.24.12
New Icebreaker Major Step Forward for Chukchi and Beaufort Development
PORT FOURCHON, LA - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today celebrated the Christening of the Arctic-class offshore service vessel Aiviq. This state of the art, 360-foot icebreaker was commissioned by Shell and built by American workers in LaRose, Louisiana in over 2 million man-hours and is slated to support exploration in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas. It created or supported jobs in all 50 states and is capable of towing an aircraft carrier. "Today's christening of the icebreaker Aiviq… Continue Reading
03.24.12
Murkowski: Leasing Must Focus on Best Prospects
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today responded to the Obama administration's proposal to hold a lease sale in Cook Inlet as part of the 2012-2017 five-year plan. "I appreciate the president's newfound interest in increasing domestic production and his decision to offer leases in Cook Inlet. His interest would be most useful, however, if he focused on areas with the greatest resource potential. "For the past six years, I have worked to advance exploration of Alaska's no… Continue Reading
03.22.12
Murkowski Statement on Potential Courthouse Closings
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today responded to the federal government's consideration of closing the Fairbanks, Ketchikan and Juneau courthouses. The three are on a master list of 60 courthouses in 29 states released by the government seeking cuts - thereby requiring all Alaskans involved with federal proceedings to fly to Anchorage. "Each federal courthouse location in America is reevaluated every two years, and that is a responsible, commendable policy for a government looking… Continue Reading
03.22.12
Murkowski Questions Commerce Secretary’s Focus on Fisheries
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski received an assurance from Commerce Secretary John Bryson that cost-cutting in the national fisheries will not result in a cut to the surveys and stock assessments in the Bering Sea or the Gulf of Alaska. She shared with him the harmful ripple effect of such a potential move: cuts would reduce the quality of the data, leading to greater uncertainty in the science, triggering lower catch limits and costing Alaska millions. Senator Murkowski opened her … Continue Reading
03.22.12
President's Cushing Visit Highlights His Continuing Obstruction of Keystone XL Project
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-AK, today joined Sens. John Hoeven, R-N.D.; Richard Lugar, R-Ind.; John Cornyn, R-Texas; Roy Blunt, R-Mo.; and David Vitter, R-La.; in criticizing President Obama's visit to Cushing, Oklahoma, saying it highlights his continued obstruction of the Keystone XL pipeline project while the economy languishes and gas prices continue to rise for American consumers. The senators were joined by Rep. Lee Terry, R-Nebraska, who has offered Keystone legislatio… Continue Reading
03.22.12
Murkowski Votes for STOCK Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Murkowski today voted for final passage of the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act of 2012 (the STOCK Act). The legislation - which contained most of the provisions from the original bill Murkowski co-sponsored - passed the U.S. Senate by an overwhelming 96-3 vote, and expressly prohibits elected officials and staffers from using nonpublic information they come across in their work for their own benefit. It now heads to President Obama's desk for his signatur… Continue Reading
03.21.12
Murkowski Questions TSA’s Kuspuk Policy
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today asked the Transportation Security Administration head whether the TSA was sufficiently considering cultural sensitivities in their screening process. Her questions were inspired by Alaska TSA treatment of the traditional Alaska Native garment, the kuspuk - in NW Alaska Native communities called a qaspeq or Atikluk. Senator Murkowski shared the following anecdote and observation with TSA Administrator John Pistole today: "I was wearing a kuspuk… Continue Reading
