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.

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


03.21.12

Alaska's Army Presence to Remain Stable, U.S. Army General Tells Murkowski

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today questioned United States Army Secretary John McHugh and Chief of Staff General Raymond T. Odierno, asking for certainty that while the Pentagon is envisioning widespread cuts in the Department of Defense, Alaska's Army presence will remain roughly equal to its current level. Senator Murkowski referred to comments Odierno made during a recent stop in Hawaii, asking "you mentioned that the number of soldiers that are assigned to the Pacific will gen… Continue Reading


03.21.12

Murkowski: Supreme Court Decision Provides for Review of EPA Compliance Orders

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today praised the U.S. Supreme Court's unanimous decision upholding the right of land owners to have a court review attempts to regulate use of their private property by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). "The Sacketts' story exemplifies the impact of EPA overreach on the personal property rights of Americans," Murkowski said. "Today is a good day for the rule of law and a validation not only of the concerns voiced by so many that … Continue Reading


03.21.12

Murkowski: TSA's "One Size Fits All" Approach Unfit For Alaska

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski today pressed Transportation Security Administration head John Pistole for answers about the TSA's approach in Alaska - through a series of questions ranging from sensitivity to passengers with special needs, to added safety expenses being passed along to consumers, to the security risk of Alaska Native traditional clothing. In a hearing of the U.S. Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, Murkowski opened up the exchange by questioning the… Continue Reading


03.16.12

Alaska Senators Question IHS on Village Built Clinics Resources

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich sent a letter today to Dr. Yvette Roubideaux, Director of the Indian Health Service, asking for answers about the Village Built Clinics program in Alaska - and why the available funds aren't being directed to rural health concerns. "We respectfully request that you respond to us in writing regarding the Indian Health Service's failure to carry out its responsibilities to fully fund the leases IHS has entered into for Village Built Clini… Continue Reading


03.16.12

Murkowski Welcomes Progress on King Cove Access Road

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement on the release of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's environmental impact statement on construction of an emergency road to connect the remote communities of King Cove and Cold Bay. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued an environmental impact statement (EIS) on the land exchange without choosing a preferred alternative action, which allows a proposal to provide emergency surface access for King C… Continue Reading


03.16.12

Murkowski: Failure to Pursue Bill Allen Sends “Awful Message”

WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Lisa Murkowski questioned Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Bill Mueller about the lapsed investigation of former VECO head Bill Allen on sex trafficking charges. Given the FBI's partnership with the Anchorage Police Department in investigating the allegations against Allen, she asked Mueller if there is any reason the Justice Department has not moved forward on the case, adding "this has stunned people in Alaska who cannot understand why the Department of Justic… Continue Reading

Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 68 Page 69 Page 70 Page 71 Page 72 Page 73 Page 74 Page 75 Page 76 Page 77 Page 78 Page 79 Page 80 Page 81 Page 82 Page 83 Page 84 Page 85 Page 86 Page 87 Page 88 Page 89 Page 90 Page 91 Page 92 Page 93 Page 94 Page 95 Page 96 Page 97 Page 98 Page 99 Page 100 Page 101 Page 102 Page 103 Page 104 Page 105 Page 106 Page 107 Page 108 Page 109 Page 110 Page 111 Page 112 Page 113 Page 114 Page 115 Page 116 Page 117 Page 118 Page 119 Page 120 Page 121 Page 122 Page 123 Page 124 Page 125 Page 126 Page 127 Page 128 Page 129 Page 130 Page 131 Page 132 Page 133 Page 134 Page 135 Page 136 Page 137 Page 138 Page 139 Page 140 Page 141 Page 142 Page 143 Page 144 Page 145 Page 146 Page 147 Page 148 Page 149 Page 150 Page 151 Page 152 Page 153 Page 154 Page 155 Page 156 Page 157 Page 158 Page 159 Page 160 Page 161 Page 162 Page 163 Page 164 Page 165 Page 166 Page 167 Page 168 Page 169 Page 170 Page 171 Page 172 Page 173 Page 174 Page 175 Page 176 Page 177 Page 178 Page 179 Page 180 Page 181 Page 182 Page 183 Page 184 Page 185 Page 186 Page 187 Page 188 Page 189 Page 190 Page 191 Page 192 Page 193 Page 194 Page 195 Page 196 Page 197 Page 198 Page 199 Page 200 Page 201 Page 202 Page 203 Page 204 Page 205 Page 206 Page 207 Page 208 Page 209 Page 210 Page 211 Page 212 Page 213 Page 214 Page 215 Page 216 Page 217 Page 218 Page 219 Page 220 Page 221 Page 222 Page 223 Page 224 Page 225 Page 226 Page 227 Page 228 Page 229 Page 230
Showing page   of 230